How to Grow Tomatoes in Texas

Growing tomatoes in Texas is not without it's challenges. Poor soil, variable moisture and pests are just some of the difficulties Texas gardeners face. Grow flourishing and delicious tomatoes in Texas by addressing these and other issues up front.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mulch
• Nutrient rich soil
• Rail road ties
• Tomato starts
• Fertilizer
• Water
• Tomato cages

1. Build a raised tomato bed to facilitate proper drainage. Use railroad ties to build a border. Then fill with dirt.

2. Till the existing soil. Add 8 to 10 inches of nutrient rich top soil and organic mulch or manure. Mix the soils well.

3. Select tomatoes that are adapted to hot and dry growing conditions. Choose plants that are also VFN, resistant to some disease and fungus.

4. Make the garden in a spot that will allow for at least six hours of sunlight daily. Plant in pots if there are not sunny spots in the yard.

5. Plant early. Transplant the starts as soon as danger of frost has passed, usually the middle to end of March.

6. Spread organic mulch over the top of the soil to preserve ground moisture. Use grass clippings, leaves or shredded bark. Mulch also cuts back on weeds.

7. Water tomatoes every other day in the spring and daily in the fall. Apply a tomato fertilizer weekly.

8. Treat plants with an organic pesticide before signs of damage. Follow pesticide directions carefully and avoid over treating.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for disease resistant starts at your local plant nursery.
• Tie tomatoes up to stakes instead of using cages.
• Not pre-treating for pests will possibly result in crop damage.
• Over treating with pesticides will hinder tomato production.
• Planting starts directly in typical Texas soil and not fertilizing will stunt the growth of the tomatoes, if they grow at all.

Resources

• For more Texas gardening tips