The Ultimate Tomato Plant Guide with 7 Easy Steps

In partnership with Fertilome — plus, check out our shipment of locally grown organic tomatoes!

There’s nothing quite like a homegrown tomato. Whether you're slicing one for a sandwich or picking cherry tomatoes straight off the vine for a snack, the flavor is unmatched. At Manning’s Feed and Seed, we’re all about helping you grow your best tomatoes yet. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Fertilome to bring you this easy-to-follow, step-by-step tomato growing guide.

Plus, if you’re not planting this season, we’ve got you covered with a brand-new shipment of locally grown organic tomatoes—fresh, flavorful, and ready to enjoy!

🌱 Step 1: Strong Start = Healthy Plants

Getting your tomatoes off to a good start is the key to a productive season. We recommend applying HY Triple Super Phosphate or FL Blooming & Rooting at the time of planting. For best results, repeat the FL Blooming & Rooting application two more times, spaced about 3–4 days apart.

Once your plant is in the ground, apply HY Calcium Nitrate to strengthen the plant and prevent early issues like blossom end rot.

🌿 Step 2: Feed to Fuel Growth

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and a regular fertilizer routine will help them thrive. As soon as you see the first signs of tomatoes forming, start applying FL Tomato and Vegetable Food once a month. This helps your plants produce bigger tomatoes and more of them!

🌸 Step 3: Help Those Blossoms Turn to Fruit

Blossoms are a good sign, but not all of them turn into tomatoes without a little help. That’s where FL Tomato & Pepper Set comes in. Spray it directly on the flowers every 7 to 10 days (at least three applications total) to improve fruit set and maximize your harvest.

🍅 Step 4: Stop Blossom End Rot Before It Starts

Blossom End Rot shows up as dark, sunken spots on the bottom of your tomatoes—and once it's there, you can't fix it. The good news? You can prevent it.

Apply HY Calcium Nitrate once a month throughout the growing season, and use FL Yield Booster on developing fruit that’s about the size of a quarter to boost calcium absorption.

🍃 Step 5: Protect Leaves from Fungus

Fungal issues like leaf spot and early blight can quickly take over your plant, starting at the bottom and moving up. To keep your leaves healthy and green, alternate between:

• FLG Copper Fungicide (every 7–10 days)

• FLG Fungicide 5 (every 3–5 days)

For added protection, try FL Broad Spectrum Fungicide or HY Vegetable, Flower, Fruit & Ornamental Spray every 7 to 10 days.

🐛 Step 6: Say Goodbye to Hornworms and Pests

Tomato Hornworms

These large green worms can devour your plant overnight. Apply FLG Spinosad or FLG Spinosad Soap every 4 to 7 days to control them and other common pests like aphids, flea beetles, and mites.

General Insect Control

For broader pest control, use HY Garden & Farm Insect Control or Pet & Livestock Dust to keep your garden pest-free.

🌾 Step 7: Keep the Weeds Out

Weeds compete with your tomato plants for water and nutrients. If you're working the soil, apply HY Herbicide Granules at the beginning of the season and reapply every 6 to 8 weeks. If you're sprinkling it on the surface and watering it in, reapply every 4 weeks for consistent protection.

🍅 Bonus: Fresh Local Tomatoes Are In!

Not ready to grow your own? No problem. We just stocked up on locally grown organic tomatoes—sourced nearby and bursting with flavor. Come grab yours while they’re fresh!

Whether you're growing from seed or picking up your produce ready-to-go, Manning’s Feed and Seed has everything you need for a successful tomato season.

Need help choosing the right products or solving a garden issue? Stop by and chat with our team—we’re happy to help!