How to Grow Tomatoes at Home – Complete Gardening Guide

Fast Facts

About Tomatoes

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are warm-season plants that thrive in sunny spaces. Growing tomatoes at home not only guarantees chemical-free produce but also brings immense satisfaction — from the first sprout to the final juicy harvest.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Pakistan

Quick Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum

• Family: Solanaceae

• Pollination: Self-pollinated (can also cross-pollinate)

• Flowering Habit: Annual

Growth Timeline

How-To by Growth Stage

When to Plant Tomato Seeds

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting.

• Best planting time outdoors: after last frost when nights are warm (above 18°C).
  

Where to Plant Tomato Seeds

• Full sun exposure (at least 6–8 hours daily).

• Rich, fertile, well-draining soil.

• ✅ Use Organic Potting Mix by ApnaUgao.

How to Plant Tomato Seeds

• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed trays or pots.

• Maintain moisture but avoid waterlogging.

• Thin seedlings after two true leaves appear.

• ✅ Use 4" Plastic Pots for early seed starting.

How to Transplant Tomato Seedlings

• Transplant when seedlings are 6–8 inches tall and hardened off.

• Plant deeper up to first set of true leaves — promotes stronger root system.

• ✅ Use Grow Bags for container growing.

How to Harvest Tomatoes

• Harvest when fruits are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.

• Gently twist or snip with scissors.

• Regular harvesting encourages continuous production.

How to Care for Tomato Plants

• Stake or cage the plants for support.

• Water deeply but infrequently (every 2–3 days once established).

• Mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

• Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with Organic Vermicompost and NPK 19-19-19.

Pruning and Sucker Removal for Tomatoes

• What are suckers?
  Small shoots that grow from the joint (leaf axil) between the main stem and branches.

• Why remove them?
  Suckers divert plant energy away from fruit production and lead to bushier, overcrowded plants.

• How to remove?

  • Gently pinch off suckers when they are small (2–4 inches long) using your fingers.

  • For larger suckers, use sterilized garden scissors.

  • Focus on pruning the lower portion of the plant to keep airflow better and disease risks lower.

• Which tomatoes need pruning?

  • Indeterminate varieties (continuous growing types) require regular sucker removal.

Companion Planting for Tomatoes

✅ Good Companions:

• Basil (enhances flavor, deters pests)

• Carrots

• Lettuce

• Marigolds (natural pest repellents)

❌ Avoid Planting Near:

• Cabbage

• Corn (shares pest risks like armyworms)

Scientific Variations – Tomatoes

• Desi Tomato – Small to medium-sized fruits, very flavorful

• Heirloom Tomatoes – Large, colorful, varied types (e.g., Black Krim, Yellow Stuffer)

• Cherry Tomatoes – Bite-sized, sweet fruits

• Roma Tomatoes – Plum-shaped, ideal for sauces

(ApnaUgao offers a wide range of heirloom, cherry, and desi tomato seeds.)

Benefits of Tomatoes

• Rich source of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant)

• Boosts heart health and immunity

• Supports eye health and skin protection

• Versatile: salads, cooking, sauces, chutneys

🛒 Shop ApnaUgao Online for Growing "Tomato Plants"

• Buy Tomato Seeds Collection

• Grow Bags Collection

• Organic Potting Mix

• Vermicompost