Tomatoes – how to grow them step by step
Growing tomatoes is straightforward once you understand the basics: warmth, light, water and support.
With the right setup, even a few plants can give you a steady harvest over the summer.
Quick links to this article:
- Start from seed or plant?
- Where to grow
- Soil or hydroponics?
- Watering and feeding
- Support and pruning
- Harvesting
1. Start from seed or plant?
The first choice is how to start:
- Seeds: Cheaper and more variety choice
- Plants: Faster and easier for beginners
For example the Roma tomatoes (pictured) were grown from seed indoors – on a kitchen shelf using grow light and then transferred outside when larger.
2. Where to grow tomatoes
When growing they will need:
- Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)
- Shelter from wind
- Warm conditions
If you grow them indoors then most houses (kitchen, etc) tend to be warm which will be great for your plants.
But (especially when growing them in Autumn or Winter) you will need to provide the right type of extra light.
👉 For more options, see: growing methods guide
3. Soil or hydroponics
They grow well in:
- Pots or grow bags
- Raised beds
- Hydroponics or aquaponics
- Greenhouses (best yields)
There are 2 main methods you can use:
Item 3a – using soil
Quick summary:
- Use well-drained, nutrient-rich compost
- Plant deep (tomatoes root along the stem)
- Space plants well for airflow
Simply using soil in a pot might seem easier because all you will need is to buy a plastic pot and some soil.
The key is to then make sure you water them regularly and ideally at some stage also provide some extra tomato plant food. (most garden centres and amazon sell them)
Alternatively a self watering pot (like the one on the right) does make an indoor tomato growing system a lot easier and will also help you get better results.
Item 2b – using hydroponics
Many commercial growers use hydroponic systems for growing tomatoes indoors. For example many of the tomatoes you will buy in a shop will have been grown using hydroponics.
In a hydroponic system you don’t use soil but instead grow the tomatoes with the roots hanging in water. For example like the one on the right.
The reason why hydroponics is so appealing is because
- Hydroponically grown tomatoes will grow faster with better yields. Compared to those grown in soil.
- It is easier to control key items like nutrients & ph levels.
- And of course it’s easier to water them.
Building your own DIY hydroponic tomato growing system is not that difficult, the video below shows how I built one for my own kitchen.
For step by step instructions have a look at DIY tomato hydroponic system
4. Watering and feeding
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Feed weekly once flowering starts
- Avoid letting plants dry out then flood
5. Support and pruning
The final element is to provide support for your plants as they grow.
- Use canes, stakes or cages
- Remove side shoots (for cordon varieties)
- Tie in regularly as plants grow
You can either use simple canes or more sophisticated ones that are easy to assemble as your plants grow, like the one on the right.
More details on the freestanding tomato support
6. Harvesting
- Pick when fully coloured and slightly soft
- Regular picking encourages more fruit
👉 Learn more: tomato types and tomato problems
More information
The main tomato introduction will show you ‘step by step’ what to do, how to grow and use them in recipes and cooking.
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