Tomato Plant Care

Light: Tomatoes need plenty of light. Place your tomato start in a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If natural sunlight is limited, use a grow light to supplement.
Temperature: Keep the container in a room with a temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid placing it near drafts or air conditioners, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.
Container: Choose a container that's at least 12-18 inches deep with good drainage holes. Tomatoes have deep root systems, so they need plenty of space for their roots to grow.

Frequency: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In general, you’ll need to water about once every 2-3 days, but this can vary depending on your indoor climate.
How Much Water: Water thoroughly until it runs out of the drainage holes, ensuring the moisture reaches the root zone. Avoid letting water sit in the saucer underneath the container, as this can lead to root rot.
Quality of Water: Use room temperature water. Try to water the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and prevent disease.

Why: Hardening off helps your plant adjust to outdoor conditions and prevents shock when you move it outside.
Timing: Start the hardening-off process about 7-10 days before transplanting your plant outdoors.
How: Gradually introduce the plant to outdoor conditions by placing it in a shaded area for a few hours a day, slowly increasing the time and exposure to sunlight each day. After a week, it should be ready to handle more sun and outdoor conditions.

Container Selection: When moving the tomato plant outdoors, make sure to place it in a larger container (at least 18-24 inches deep and wide) if the original pot is too small. The container should have good drainage.
Watering: After transplanting outside, water deeply to help the plant settle into its new home. Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Be sure to water the base of the plant, not the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases.
Supporting the Plant: Use a tomato cage or stakes to support the plant as it grows. Container-grown tomatoes can get top-heavy as they mature, so this will help keep the plant upright and healthy.

Pruning: Remove any suckers (small shoots that grow between the stem and branches) to help direct the plant’s energy into growing fruit.
Feeding: Once your plant is established, start feeding it with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Look for one with a higher potassium and phosphorus content to encourage fruit production.
Harvesting: Your tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are fully colored (red, yellow, or orange, depending on the variety) and feel slightly soft to the touch. Pick them in the morning, when they're cool, and avoid letting them over-ripen on the vine.