One of the biggest mistakes gardeners often make when planting tomatoes is not planting them deep enough. It might seem like a small detail, but how deep you plant your tomato seedlings can actually make a huge difference in how well they grow, how healthy they stay – and how much fruit they produce!
Tomatoes are certainly one of the most popular vegetables to grow in a home garden. They’re tasty, versatile, and fairly easy to grow – but they do have a few needs if you want to get a good harvest from your plants.
For starters, tomatoes need to grow in good soil. They also need to have adequate water – and proper fertilization as the growing season wears on. But as it turns out, planting depth is also very important. In fact, it’s one of the most important things of all to get right from the start.
Why Planting Deep Makes A Big Difference
So why does planting depth matter so much? Because tomato plants are quite special when it comes to their roots. Unlike many other plants, tomato stems have the amazing ability to grow roots wherever they touch soil. Which means that the more stem you bury underground, the more roots will grow.
The simple fact is – the more roots your tomato plant can have, the stronger and healthier it will be. When you plant your tomato seedling deep, you’re giving it the chance to grow a much larger root system. That strong root system helps support the plant as it grows bigger and taller.
More roots also means your tomato plant can soak in more water and more nutrients from the soil. This leads to faster and healthier growth, plus better resistance to drought and excessive heat.
Even better, when summer temperatures rise and rainfall becomes less frequent, deep roots allow the plant to pull moisture from lower down in the soil, keeping it hydrated and happy.
More Reasons To Plant Your Tomatoes Deep
Planting deep also gives your tomatoes a solid base to grow from. That extra support can be the difference between a strong, productive plant – or one that struggles to stay upright.
Tomato plants can become quite large, especially when they’re loaded with fruit. So that deep, strong root system also keeps the plant from toppling over in the wind or breaking under the weight of heavy tomatoes. If it doesn’t have a good anchor in the soil, the plant can lean, break, or even fall over.
Last but not least, when you plant deep, the roots stay in more stable soil conditions. The deeper layers of soil don’t heat up or cool down as quickly as the top few inches. That means your tomato roots are less likely to be shocked by sudden changes in weather. Plain and simple – consistent soil temperatures lead to steadier growth and fewer problems with stress or disease.
How Deep Should You Plant?
Now that you know why it matters, let’s talk about exactly how deep to plant your tomatoes. The general rule of thumb when planting tomatoes is to bury about two-thirds of the plant. Yes, that’s right: two-thirds of the plant needs to go under the soil surface!
If your tomato seedling is 12 inches tall, you’ll want to bury about 8 inches of it underground. That might seem like a lot, but it’s exactly what your plant needs to thrive.
Start by making sure your hole is deep enough to bury most of the stem. In heavier clay soils, it may be better to dig a trench and lay the plant sideways, gently bending the top upward out of the soil. Tomatoes will grow roots all along the buried part of the stem, whether it’s vertical or horizontal.
Many gardeners worry about covering up the bottom leaves on a tomato plant, but it’s completely fine. In fact, it’s a good idea to pinch off the lower leaves before planting. That way, they won’t rot underground, and the plant can focus on growing roots instead.
If your tomato seedling is very tall and leggy, don’t be afraid to trim it down a bit. Removing a few of the top leaves won’t hurt the plant either. Or, of course, you can simply bury it deeper in a trench.
Preparing The Soil Before You Plant
Planting your tomatoes deep is important – but so is what you put in the hole. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and love rich, loose soil. Before you plant, it’s worth taking a few extra steps to give your plants the best start possible.
Here are a few things to mix into the bottom of the planting hole:
Compost
Good compost is like gold for your garden. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and helps the soil hold moisture. Add three to four cups of compost to the hole before planting, and mix it in with the surrounding soil.
Pulverized Eggshells
Tomatoes love calcium, and eggshells are full of it. Adding a tablespoon or two of eggshell powder deep in each tomato hole when you plant can help prevent blossom end rot, a common tomato problem caused by calcium deficiency. See our article: The Best Way To Use Egg Shells To Help Your Tomato Plants
Spent Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are another great natural addition to the soil. They add nitrogen and help improve soil texture. A quarter cup of grounds per plant is a good rule of thumb. Take time to mix it into the soil as you fill up the planting hole.
Worm Castings
If you use worm castings in your planting hole, your tomatoes will thank you. These nutrient-rich droppings from composting worms are packed with good bacteria and slow-release nutrients. A small handful in each planting hole can give your tomato seedlings a great jumpstart. Affiliate Link: Brut Organic Worm Castings
Loosening The Soil For Easier Root Growth
Before you drop your tomato plant into the hole, make sure the soil at the bottom and around the sides is loose. If the soil is compacted, it will be harder for the roots to spread. Use your hands or a trowel to break up clumps and loosen the dirt. This makes it easier for the roots to grow deep and strong.
After you plant, water the area well to help the soil settle around the roots and remove air pockets. Then add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and keep weeds away.
Here is to planting your tomatoes deep this year – and to a bigger and better harvest!
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