4 Hacks To Grow Bigger Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the crown jewel of the summer garden. Sweet, juicy, and full of flavor, a perfectly ripened tomato is a thing of beauty. But growing big tomatoes? That takes a little extra know-how. If you’re aiming for giant, flavor-packed fruit that will make your neighbors jealous, these four hacks can help you elevate your tomato game and produce bigger, better tomatoes this season.
1. Prune for Power
One of the most overlooked secrets to growing big tomatoes is strategic pruning. Tomato plants naturally want to grow tall and bushy, but all that growth spreads the plant’s energy thin. By trimming away unnecessary growth, you help the plant channel more nutrients and energy into fruit production.
- Remove suckers: These are the small shoots that grow between the main stem and branches. While they can bear fruit, they compete with the main plant for resources.
- Thin lower leaves: Prune away leaves near the base to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
- Limit the number of main stems: For bigger fruit, keep just one or two main stems instead of letting the plant branch wildly.
Proper pruning allows your tomato plant to focus on producing fewer but larger, healthier tomatoes instead of a bunch of small ones.
2. Feed the Soil, Not Just the Plant
Big tomatoes need a lot of nutrients, and the key to providing those nutrients lies in healthy soil. Rather than relying solely on chemical fertilizers, feed the soil so it can feed your plant.
- Compost is king: Mix aged compost or worm castings into your planting beds to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Use a balanced fertilizer: Tomatoes love phosphorus and potassium, which help with flower and fruit production. Look for a fertilizer with a higher middle (P) and end (K) number.
- Add crushed eggshells: This provides calcium, which prevents blossom end rot and strengthens cell walls for bigger fruit.
Regularly amend your soil and feed your plants throughout the season to support vigorous growth and large, juicy tomatoes.
3. Water Wisely
Tomatoes need consistent moisture to grow well, but too much or too little water can stress the plant and stunt fruit development. Proper watering is a game-changer for tomato size.
- Deep, infrequent watering: Instead of daily shallow watering, give your tomatoes a deep soak 2–3 times per week.
- Water at the base: Avoid wetting the leaves to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
- Mulch to retain moisture: A layer of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings keeps the soil moist and cool, helping roots absorb nutrients efficiently.
By keeping your tomato plants evenly watered and stress-free, they’ll be much more likely to produce large, plump fruit.
4. Choose the Right Variety and Support It
Even the best techniques won’t produce giant tomatoes if you’re growing a small-fruit variety. If your goal is size, start with the right seeds and provide strong support for the heavy fruit to come.
- Select big-fruited varieties: Look for beefsteak types like Brandywine, Big Boy, Mortgage Lifter, or Cherokee Purple.
- Use strong cages or stakes: Big tomatoes are heavy! Proper support keeps the plants upright and prevents fruit from sitting on the ground where it can rot or be eaten by pests.
- Pinch off excess flowers: Once your plant is producing, limit the number of flowers it sets so it can focus its energy on fewer, bigger fruits.
The right tomato variety and proper structural support are essential for achieving those brag-worthy, sandwich-sized tomatoes.
Conclusion
Growing big tomatoes isn’t just luck—it’s about smart strategies and a little bit of TLC. By pruning purposefully, feeding your soil, watering wisely, and picking the right varieties, you’ll be well on your way to producing tomatoes that are not only big in size but bursting with flavor. Try these four hacks this season and get ready to harvest your biggest, juiciest tomatoes yet!
