How to plant and grow lots of nutritious and tasty tomatoes in your garden

09/14/2025 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez

When planting tomatoes, bury two-thirds of the tomato stem to promote strong root growth, stability and drought resistance.
Enhance planting holes with crushed eggshells (for calcium), worm castings (for microbes), compost (for water retention) and used coffee grounds (for nitrogen).
Use a post-hole digger for deep, wide holes to prevent soil compaction and encourage root expansion.
Provide 1-1.5 inches of water weekly. Irrigate in the morning and supply mulch to retain moisture and prevent disease.
Shallow planting leads to weak roots and dehydration, while inconsistent watering causes blossom-end rot and cracked fruit.

For home gardeners across North America, the quest for the perfect tomato – plump, flavorful and abundant – begins long before the first fruit ripens. The difference between a lackluster harvest and a bumper crop often comes down to a single, critical moment: planting day.

According to horticultural experts and seasoned growers, how a tomato is planted – not just where or when – determines its resilience, growth rate and ultimate yield. Whether you choose to plant tomatoes in urban containers, suburban raised beds or rural garden plots, the methods outlined here can double or triple a plant’s productivity without the addition of synthetic fertilizers or costly inputs.

Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch engine explains that avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals ensures safer, more nutritious food while protecting the environment and fostering biodiversity. Organic methods like composting and companion planting strengthen soil health and local food systems, promoting sustainability and resilience.

The best way to plant and grow tomatoes

Tomato plants are heavy feeders, demanding lots of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, although they require more phosphorus and less nitrogen to produce flowers and fruit. Yet, the most common mistake gardeners make isn’t under-fertilizing – it’s under-preparing the planting hole. Tomatoes planted in shallow, unamended soil develop weak root systems, making them vulnerable to drought, disease and nutrient deficiencies.

According to experts, the first six inches of a tomato’s life dictate its entire season. A deep, nutrient-rich hole encourages roots to drive downward, accessing moisture and minerals that shallow roots can’t reach. Planting tomatoes in 18- to 24-inch-deep, compost-amended holes is the first step to ensuring an abundant yield.

Step 1: Dig deep

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to bury two-thirds of the stem. This ensures:

Root proliferation: Tomatoes uniquely grow roots along their stems when buried. This helps create the necessary deep root structure for improved water and nutrient absorption.
Temperature buffer: Deep roots insulate the plant from soil temperature swings, which can stunt growth.

Pro tip: Use a post-hole digger to minimize soil compaction and save your back. Avoid pressing down on the soil after planting; loose dirt encourages root expansion.

Step 2: What to bury with your tomato

The secret to explosive growth lies in four soil amendments, each targeting a specific need:

Pulverized eggshells – Tomatoes need calcium to prevent blossom-end rot, a disorder affecting up to 50 percent of homegrown tomatoes. Dry eggshells are 95 percent calcium carbonate, but their slow release (over 2-3 months) matches the plant’s uptake curve. Grind 3-4 eggshells per plant into a fine powder (a coffee grinder works). Mix into the holes base.
Worm castings – Castings contain beneficial microbes that outcompete pathogens like Fusarium and Verticillium wilt. Add ½-¾ cup per hole.
Compost – Compost improves soil structure, holding 5x its weight in water. Mix 2-3 cups of compost per hole, with extra at the bottom to lure roots downward.
Used coffee grounds – Coffee grounds provide nitrogen and trace minerals, reducing transplant shock. Add 2-3 tablespoons per hole. Avoid using fresh grounds as their acidity can inhibit germination. Test your soil if you’re planning to apply more than once monthly.

Step 3: The burial technique

Bury two-thirds of the tomato stem, leaving only the top 4-6 inches above soil. The stem’s white hairs (trichomes) eventually become roots when buried, increasing plant water uptake. If planted too shallow, the root ball can dry out, causing corky stem rot.

Step 4: Watering wisdom

Inconsistent watering leads to blossom-end rot and cracked fruit. To avoid this, ensure your plant receives:

Deep watering – Provide 1-1.5 inches per week (a rain gauge helps track)
Morning irrigation – Reduces foliar diseases like early blight
Mulch – Apply 2-3 inches of straw to retain moisture and block soil-borne spores

The difference between a mediocre tomato harvest and a record-breaking one isn’t luck – it’s what happens in the first hour of planting. By digging deep, amending smartly and burying stems properly, gardeners can hardwire their tomato plants for success, reducing labor and inputs all season.

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Watch the following video to learn more tips on how to grow lots of tomatoes.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.