There’s a moment every spring in DeKalb County when you walk outside, feel the warmth in the air, and realize—it’s tomato time. The frost threat is behind us, the soil’s warmed up, and the garden just seems to be calling out for those sturdy little plants with their promise of juicy rewards.

If you started your tomatoes indoors or picked up healthy transplants from a local stand, now’s the perfect window to get them in the ground. And if you’ve never grown tomatoes before, this is your sign to give it a shot. Nothing beats the flavor of a homegrown tomato —especially after you’ve waited for it, watched over it, and maybe even argued with it a bit through the growing season.

Let’s talk about planting. Tomatoes aren’t particularly fussy, but they do appreciate a good start. You’ll want to “plant them deep,” which just means removing the lower leaves and burying the stem up to just below the top cluster of leaves. That buried stem will actually sprout new roots, making for a sturdier plant down the line.

Spacing matters too. Give them a couple feet between plants, unless you're going for a jungle vibe (which I’ve done, accidentally and on purpose). Trust me, those little foot-high plants become monsters by July if they’re happy.

Now’s also the time to give them support. Don’t wait until they’re flopping over and loaded with green fruit to wrestle on a cage. Whether you’re a stake person or a cage person—no judgment—just get them in early.

Tomatoes love a rich, warm soil, so if you haven’t tested your soil yet, now’s a good time to do that (see last week’s column!). You can also work in a little compost or well-balanced fertilizer as you plant. And mulch. Always mulch. It helps with moisture, temperature, and keeping weeds (and blight spores) from splashing up on your plants.

Don’t forget to water deeply and regularly. Shallow watering makes for shallow roots. Deep roots mean sturdier plants and better fruit. A little tomato wisdom from a friend of mine: “Tomatoes will forgive a lot—but forgetting to water them when it’s hot isn’t one of those things.”

With a good start now, you’ll be knee-deep in tomato sandwiches, fresh salsa, and bragging rights by midsummer.

About the Author
Dr. Philip Seagraves is the owner, along with his wife Cathy, of Griffin’s Produce in Smithville. A local fixture for over 50 years, Griffin’s has long been a trusted source for fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and garden plants in DeKalb County. It has also been named “Best of the Best” Produce Market in DeKalb County by the Smithville Review many years running.