These 5 Tips Will Help Your Tomatoes Stay Strong and Pest-Free All Summer: Secrets from Professional Gardeners

Whether you’re just starting your gardening journey or you’re already an experienced grower, it’s no secret that tomatoes are the true favorites in the garden. This crop has a reputation for being fairly easy to grow, but that doesn’t mean you can just relax. Insects, infections — whether fungal, viral, or bacterial — and various pests can pose a serious threat to an otherwise healthy-looking plant, reports MODISTA.

So, how do you guarantee your tomatoes stay well-protected throughout the season? I’ve talked to several gardening professionals to learn their proven methods for protecting tomatoes. These tips will help you not just grow a crop, but make it healthy and abundant.

Keep Tomatoes Away from the Ground

While you can plant tomatoes directly in open soil, letting them sprawl messily across the ground is a very bad idea. Tomatoes that stay lying on the soil have a much higher chance of falling victim to diseases or pests. Paul Deisinger, an experienced gardener and co-founder of Seedtime, emphasizes the importance of supports. Using trellises protects the fruit from being accidentally stepped on by people or damaged by wildlife that might visit your garden.

Garden stakes and specialized tomato cages are also excellent options. “Sturdy supports and cages should definitely be used to lift plants off the ground, as they otherwise become extremely prone to disease,” notes Ryan Harden, founder of The Harden Garden. Depending on the variety of tomatoes you’re growing, it’s worth choosing the optimal sizes and types of supports for your specific plot in advance.

Consider the Possibility of Mulching

While adding mulch isn’t strictly mandatory, it can be a real asset for growing healthier and more productive tomatoes. Mulch can add nutrients that might be lacking in the soil itself and serves as an extra barrier to protect your seedlings. It’s a case where minimal effort brings maximum results.

“A layer of organic mulch, such as straw or leaves, will help retain moisture, prevent the transfer of soil-borne diseases, and help reduce competition from weeds,” Ryan Harden explains. To achieve the best effect, I recommend adding a layer of mulch about 5-8 centimeters thick around your plants. This creates the perfect microclimate for the root system.

Keep a Close Eye on the Leaves

While your main focus is on the fruit, don’t forget to care for the foliage too. Pruning can help keep plants healthy, but it’s important not to overdo it. Paul Deisinger warns: “Be careful not to remove too much foliage, as it protects the fruit from sun scald.” That’s why the leaves directly surrounding the fruit clusters are best left alone.

However, according to Ryan Harden, bottom leaves, as well as those showing spots or signs of discoloration, should be removed immediately. These parts of the plant can slow growth or become a source of infections, like fungi. It’s also vital to monitor for “suckers” — extra shoots growing in the leaf axils. Remove them so the plant concentrates all its energy on forming the harvest.

Start with Strong Plants

Whether you’re buying ready-made seedlings or growing them from seed yourself, Ryan Harden stresses the critical importance of choosing strong specimens from the start. Variety selection should be based on their resistance to local diseases. Before planting, be sure to check seedlings for signs of stress or pest damage.

Healthy seedlings are the foundation of your future success. When picking plants at a nursery or garden shop, look for those with thick, sturdy stems and deep green leaves without spots or yellowing. A strong start always means fewer problems in the heat of the season. Let’s be honest, it’s much easier to pick a healthy plant right away than to try and save a weak one later.

Add Companion Plants to Repel Pests

Pest control is perhaps the most exhausting part of gardening. And while there are plenty of methods, including organic insecticides, you can use nature’s own weapons. Planting certain crops near your tomatoes will help naturally ward off unwanted guests.

Ryan Harden suggests planting marigolds and basil nearby to repel aphids and whiteflies. Additionally, don’t neglect manual pest removal if you spot them on the bushes — it significantly slows the spread of infection. Other good neighbors for tomatoes include calendula, chives, and sage. However, you should avoid planting near broccoli, cucumbers, and corn so the plants don’t compete for resources or attract shared enemies.

Advice from MODISTA

• Always disinfect your garden tools before pruning each new tomato bush to avoid spreading potential infections.
• Water tomatoes exclusively at the base in the morning; moisture on the leaves in the evening is a direct path to late blight.

Have you ever tried planting basil along with your tomatoes? They say it doesn’t just repel pests, but actually improves the flavor of the fruit! Share this article with a friend who’s also dreaming of the perfect garden this summer.

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