Tomato plants should be grown in warm areas and receive plenty of sunlight. Plant seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before setting outdoors. Plants should be at least 10″” tall before transplanting outdoors. Place plants outdoors in a shady area several days before transplanting outdoors. Shelter the transplants to prevent sunburn, wilting, and rain damage.
Culture: Spring planting should occur when soil is warm, at least three weeks after last frost, and when temperature remains above 70° F. To prevent breakage, use tomato cages to support. Check intermediate plants regularly, and pinch off suckers and side branches where leaves join the stems.
Harvest: Harvest tomatoes when they are fully mature using garden scissors so you don’t damage the plant. Pick them as they mature to encourage new fruit to form. Remove any decaying tomatoes from the plant.