Plant Tomatoes Deep, Deep, Deep

 

Whether in a pot or in the ground, set each tomato transplant so that 2/3 of the plant is buried. Roots will grow along the buried stem to make the plant stronger.

Each Bonnie tomato label urges you to plant tomatoes so that a full 2/3 of the plant is underground. That means that if you buy a 10-inch tall plant, all but the top two inches is buried. Why? Because the plant will have a better root system. Better roots mean better tomatoes.

How does it work? This goes against everything you've ever heard about "don't plant too deeply or you'll kill the plant." Tomatoes break that rule. They sprout roots along the buried stem. The extra roots strengthen a plant so that it can support more fruit and is better able to survive hot weather.

Once you've nearly buried it in soil, only the top few inches of the plant will be exposed. Water well and label. So dig your hole and dig it deeply. In really heavy soil, or if you just don't want to dig deeply, you can lay the plant on its side, provided that it is at least 5 or 6 inches deep when buried and the ground beneath isn't hard as a brick. Angle the plant so that the growing tip is above ground. If your soil drains poorly, create a raised bed so that the soil is piled at least 8 inches above ground level.

Within a few weeks, your plants with super roots will delight you with a bountiful harvest of lovely fruit.

If you grow in containers, do the same thing using premium potting soil.