- 1). Select a tomato variety based on the size and color of the fruit, flavor and how it will be used. Some tomatoes are good for paste while others are great for slicing. A local nursery and cooperative extension center will have information on the different varieties adapted to your area.
- 2). Acquire seedlings for transplanting when night temperatures begin to hold above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose plants that haven't begun to flower. The climate in Ohio doesn't support starting tomato plants outside from seeds.
- 3). Prepare a planting site in a location that receives sun all day. Ohio tomato plants do better in deep soil that is rich in organic matter. Fast drainage is also important, as tomato roots don't like staying wet. Incorporate 2 inches of organic matter, such as compost or manure, into the soil before transplanting the seedlings. Add 3 lbs. of a 5-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet to the bed before planting.
- 4). Make holes for the tomato plants that are deeper than their nursery pot homes. Plant the tomato with its lowest set of leaves just above the soil line, ensuring that any secondary roots grow under the surface. Place the holes 3 feet apart for plants without a stake and 2 feet apart if they're staked.
- 5). Apply a high phosphorous starter fertilizer, per label instructions, when the seedlings are set out in your Ohio backyard.
- 6). Place a layer of mulch, such as straw, shredded bark or wood chips, around the tomato plants to conserve moisture and choke weeds. Remove any vegetation that sprouts near the seedlings.
- 7). Irrigate the tomato plant consistently, especially after it sets fruit. Tomato is mostly water and requires a lot of moisture to reach full growth. Give it 5 gallons of water a week, unless it rains. Too much water also creates cracks in the tomato.
- 8). Control pests and diseases starting at the time you select the seedlings. Many tomato varieties that grow in Ohio are pest resistant and should be the first choice. Jet Star resists fusarium and verticillium wilts. Lemon Boy is a good option against nematodes. If problems appear in the tomato patch, check with a cooperative extension office for help identifying the pest.
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