Find out how far apart to plant tomatoes and why it’s essential for getting a better harvest.
Paul Maguire / Adobe Stock
A tinytomato seedling grows exponentiallyin just a couple of months.
Know Your Tomato Plant
Tomato plantspacing depends on the bang out of tomato.
Credit:Paul Maguire / Adobe Stock
Tomatoes plants are in one of two groups based on their growth habit:determinate or indeterminate.
Indeterminate plants grow, flower, and fruit for months until they are killed by frost.
These cultivars fruit best when planted 2 to 2 12 feet apart.
Credit: Brie Williams
Cage orstake tomato plantsto grow them in less space and keep them healthier.
When using cages or stakes, plant each tomato 2 12 to 3 feet apart.
Plan to space them at least 4 feet apart.
Space rows of most tomato plants 4 feet apart.
Generous spacing between rowsmakes for easy harvestingand good airflow between plants.
Use a Tape Measure
A tape measure eliminates the guesswork when figuring out how far apart to plant tomatoes.
You’d likely be surprised by how off spacing can be when just eyeballing it.
Cherry-size tomatoes for small spaces include Patio Choice Yellow, Tidy Treats, Tiny Tim, and Tumbler.
Slicing tomatoes for small spaces include Bush Early Girl, Golden Jubilee, and Patio.
Dig them up and replant at the proper spacing.
Apply the same spacing principles toraised bed plantingas in-ground planting.
Raised beds are an excellent place to grow tomatoes when the plants have ample space.
Stake the tomatoes to maximize your growing space.
