Tips on Growing Tomatoes in Houston

Believe it or not, tomatoes grow best in the spring and fall in Houston. The summer temperatures in Houston are just a bit too hot for your tomato plants to keep flowering and producing. They’ll stay alive and green if you keep them well watered, but they won’t flower or fruit as the temperatures rise in late June and July.

So, now’s the time to make the most of your tomatoes and enjoy those fresh juicy bites as much as possible.

Start with Grape or Cherry Varieties

Growing tomatoes is the quintessential spring vegetable. Luckily, Houston has two warm seasons and two chances to grow these garden favorites.

Smaller tomato varieties, such as grape and cherry, are perfect options for new gardeners or even those who aspire for a plentiful harvest.

Cherry and Grape varieties are ready to harvest sooner that a traditional slicer tomato, and are less susceptible to pests since they are on the vine for a shorter period of time.

Keep Tomato Vines Pruned

A general rule for all vegetable plants is to keep the plant pruned, so the energy goes towards the fruit production.

Tomatoes are no exception and require frequent and constant pruning during their peak growing season of March-May and September-November.

When pruning keep in mind these strategies:

1) Clean pruners

2) Remove the bottom leaves along the base of the plant.

3) Next, move to the bottom of the main stem. These leaves are the oldest leaves and most susceptible to being attacked by garden pests.

4). Carefully move up the main stem, removing any discolored, diseased or leaves with holes.

Learn more about our monthly garden club below. Taught by owner and founder, Nicole Burke, each lessons is delivered monthly straight to your inbox. Three videos with detailed instruction on what to plant, tend and harvest in the garden each month.

Attach Tomato Vines to the Trellis Weekly

During their peak growing season tomatoes are aggressive growers. Assisting them up the trellis helps the garden stay maintained and manageable, while providing them the support they need.

The Rooted Garden maintenance team uses natural materials, such as twine, to attach the tomatoes to the trellis.

Trellising is a simple task that doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge. Using a generous piece of twine, loosely attach the tomato plant to the trellis. The general rule of thumb is to attach the vine to the trellis every 6”, but more or less is acceptable based on your garden conditions.

Harvest Tomatoes When They Show the First Signs of Ripeness

The Rooted Garden team encourages clients to harvest tomatoes earlier, rather than later.

Harvesting early signals the plant to continue to produce, which means a plentiful and delicious harvest for you!

The longer the tomato sits on the vine the more susceptible it becomes to garden pests and animals looking for a tasty treat.

Keep On Picking

Enjoy your harvests in fresh salsa, caprese salads, or just right there in the middle of your kitchen garden. We promise your harvest will be delicious and so worth while.

If you are local in Houston we would love to help you make your garden goals a reality with a garden consultation.