How to Increase Tomato Yield: 6 Tips and Tricks
Get More Tomatoes from Every Plant with These Smart Strategies
For many home gardeners, the tomato is the centerpiece of their garden and rightly so. This luscious summer fruit brings happiness to growers and their lucky families and friends to get to share in the bounty.
When growing tomatoes, you want to make sure you are getting all the tomatoes possible from the plants that you have. In this article, we will cover some simple ways to boost your tomato production so that you will have plenty to share.
Here’s how to set your tomato plants up for a more productive harvest, from planting to maintenance.
1. Prepare Soil Before Planting Tomatoes
Tomato plants are heavy feeders, so they need rich, well-draining, and deep soil to produce at their best.
Before planting:
- Test your soil to check nutrient levels and pH
- Aim for a slightly acidic pH of 6.2–6.8, which tomatoes prefer
- Amend soil with compost and organic matter to a depth of at least 12 inches (deeper is better)
- Make sure the area drains well. Wet, compacted soil will limit root development and reduce yield
Tip: Consider getting a basic soil test kit from your local Extension office or Park Seed for accurate results and tailored fertilizer recommendations.
2. Pick Tomatoes Early and Often
A simple way to boost overall yield is to harvest regularly once fruit begins to ripen. Leaving mature fruit on the vine signals to the plant that it can slow down production. Picking often encourages the plant to keep setting new fruit.
Here’s how to get the most from each plant:
Harvest tomatoes as soon as they reach full color and feel slightly soft to the touch.
- Don’t wait for them to over-ripen on the vine
- In hot weather, check plants daily because fruit can ripen quickly
- If a frost is coming, pick mature green tomatoes and let them ripen indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a paper bag.
Regular harvesting increases yield and reduces the chance of fruit splitting, sunscald, or pest damage.
3. Plant Tomato Seedlings Deep for Stronger Roots
Tomatoes are one of the few plants that benefit from deep planting. The fuzzy hairs on their stems will develop into roots when buried, creating a stronger, more resilient plant.
When planting:
- Remove the lower leaves on the stem
- Bury at least two-thirds of the plant in the soil
- Water well to help the roots establish quickly
This deep root system supports better nutrient uptake, more stability, and higher yields.
4. Give Tomato Plants Plenty of Space
Tomatoes need room to grow, especially indeterminate (vining) types that keep producing all season.
Spacing guidelines:
- Determinate (bush) tomatoes: 18–24 inches apart
- Indeterminate (vining) tomatoes: 24–36 inches apart
- Leave at least 3 feet between rows for air circulation and easier harvesting
Crowding leads to poor airflow, higher risk of fungal diseases, and reduced fruit set. Use cages, stakes, or trellises early to keep plants supported and upright.
5. Water Deeply and Consistently
One of the biggest yield killers is irregular watering. Inconsistent moisture stresses tomato plants and leads to fruit splitting, blossom end rot, and reduced flowering.
Tips for watering tomatoes:
- Water deeply at the base of the plant (avoid overhead watering)
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Mulch to reduce evaporation and stabilize soil temperature
- Check daily in hot weather, especially in containers
Tomato plants need about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, more during dry spells.
6. Use Mulch to Retain Moisture and Prevent Disease
Mulch is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve tomato health and productivity.
Benefits of mulching:
- Reduces water loss through evaporation
- Suppresses weeds that compete for nutrients
- Keeps soil temperature stable
- Prevents soil-borne diseases from splashing onto lower leaves
- Adds organic matter as it breaks down
Apply a 2–3 inch layer of straw, shredded bark, compost, or grass clippings around your tomato plants, keeping it a few inches away from the base of the stem.
Bonus Tips for More Tomatoes
Beyond the basics of soil, water, and sunlight, these extra strategies can help you grow stronger, more productive tomato plants all season long.
1. Feed Regularly Throughout the Season
Once flowers and fruit start forming, your plants need a steady supply of nutrients.
Feed with:
- A balanced tomato-specific fertilizer every 2–3 weeks
- A liquid or water-soluble formula higher in phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen
- Organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion for steady support
2. Prune Regularly
Light pruning helps tomato plants focus their energy on producing fruit instead of excessive foliage.
- For indeterminate (vining) types, pinch off the small shoots (suckers) that grow between the main stem and branches
- Remove yellowing or diseased leaves, especially near the bottom of the plant
- Don’t overdo it. Leave enough foliage to shade fruit from the sun
Pruning also improves air circulation and reduces the risk of diseases like blight and powdery mildew.
3. Add Calcium to Prevent Blossom End Rot
Calcium helps tomatoes develop healthy, firm fruit. A deficiency can lead to blossom end rot, which causes black, sunken spots at the bottom of the fruit.
- Mix crushed eggshells or garden lime into the soil before planting
- Use a tomato fertilizer that includes calcium
- Water consistently. Uneven moisture makes it harder for plants to absorb calcium even if it’s present
4. Try Companion Planting
Certain vegetables, herbs, and flowers grown nearby can repel pests, improve growth, or enhance flavor.
Top companions for tomatoes:
- Basil – believed to boost flavor and deter hornworms
- Marigolds – repel nematodes and whiteflies
- Garlic, onions, or chives – discourage aphids
- Carrots or peppers – make good space-sharing partners
Avoid planting near members of the brassica family (like broccoli or cabbage), which compete for similar nutrients.
5. Start Seeds Indoors Early
To get a head start on the season, start tomato seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to sunlight and outdoor temps for 7–10 days before planting
- Starting early helps ensure a longer growing season, especially in cooler climates
6. Support Your Plants from the Start
Tomato plants get heavy fast—and without early support, stems can bend or break under the weight of fruit.
- Use tomato cages, stakes, or trellises
- Add supports at planting time to avoid root damage later
- Gently tie stems as they grow using soft garden twine or ties
Keeping fruit off the ground also improves air circulation and reduces rot and disease pressure.
Final Thought: More Fruit Starts with Strong Foundations
Healthy roots, fertile soil, steady moisture, and good airflow are the cornerstones of high-yield tomato plants. Start with the basics, stay consistent, and your plants will reward you with baskets of summer-ripe tomatoes.
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