Terrific Tomato Mania!

Tomato Plants, Give Yours a Summertime Boost

Ahh, summertime is here, and my tomato plants are growin’ like gangbusters! If yours are too, this is the perfect time to give them a little extra TLC. Whether you’re aiming for juicy slicers or sweet cherry clusters, these midseason tricks will keep your plants healthy, productive, and downright delicious.

Here’s what I did in my own backyard this weekend—and how you can follow suit. Make sure you try out my tomato plant tonic!

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Keep Your Tomato Plants Healthy with Mulch and Moisture

The first thing I tackled was moisture management and weed control. I spread a 2-inch layer of grass clippings around the base of each plant. This simple trick helps your tomato plants in two big ways:

• Suppresses weeds, which compete for nutrients

• Retains soil moisture, so the roots stay cool and hydrated

Tip: Make sure your clippings are untreated by herbicides or weed killers—those chemicals can harm your tomatoes.

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Supercharge Tomato Plants with This Midsummer Tonic

To give my plants a powerful pick-me-up, I whipped up one of my favorite Jerry Baker-style tomato plant tonics. It’s like a spa day in a sprayer!

🍅 Tomato Plant Growing Tonic

Mix the following in a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer:

• ½ cup of fish emulsion

• 2 tablespoons each of:

  • Whiskey

  • Epsom salts

  • Instant tea granules

• 1 tablespoon of baby shampoo

Spray the mixture directly onto your plants until runoff. This helps the tonic absorb fully and gives your tomato plants everything they need to grow strong, flavorful fruits.

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Maximize Tomato Flavor with Smart Storage

Nothing beats the flavor of a sun-ripened tomato fresh off the vine. But to keep ‘em tasting their best after harvest, be sure you’re storing them right.

• Room temperature is best for flavor—but they’ll only last 2–3 days.

• If you need to stretch their shelf life, put ‘em in the butter compartment of your fridge, the warmest spot in there. That way, they’ll stay tasty a little longer.

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Ripen Green Tomatoes with This End-of-Season Trick

When cooler nights start creeping in and your tomatoes just won’t ripen, don’t worry—there’s still a way to get ‘em red and ready.

Just pop those green tomatoes into a paper bag with an apple or banana. The ethylene gas they give off helps ripen tomatoes fast, so you won’t have to waste a single one!

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Tomato Plants Deserve Year-Round Care

From midsummer mulching to smart storage and ripening tips, taking good care of your tomato plants ensures a season full of juicy rewards. Whether you’re growing in beds, pots, or raised containers, a few easy steps now can make all the difference come harvest time.

So grab your sprayer, mix up that tonic, and show those tomato plants who’s boss!

More tomato-growing tricks on jerrybaker.com