How Close Should You Plant Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a popular and nutritious plant that many people enjoy growing in their gardens. But where and how far apart should you plant them? The answer depends on a few factors, including the variety of tomato you're growing, the space you have available, and the type of soil you're working with.

Consider the Tomato Variety

The first thing to consider when planting tomatoes is the variety of tomato you'll be growing. Indeterminate varieties grow tall and continue to produce fruit throughout the season, while determinate varieties grow to a certain size and then stop producing. Indeterminate tomatoes need more space and support than determinate tomatoes, so keep this in mind when planning your garden.

Spacing for Indeterminate Tomatoes

If you're growing indeterminate tomatoes, you should plant them 24-36 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. Giving them this much space ensures that they have enough room to grow and that they won't shade out other plants in your garden.Indeterminate tomatoes also need support, such as staking or trellising, to keep them upright.

Spacing for Determinate Tomatoes

Determinate tomatoes require less space than indeterminate tomatoes. When planting determinate tomatoes, you can space them closer together, at around 18-24 inches apart, with rows 2-3 feet apart. Determinate tomatoes don't require as much support as indeterminate tomatoes, but you may still want to stake or cage them to keep them from bending over under the weight of their fruit.

Soil Considerations

The type of soil you have in your garden also affects how close you should plant your tomato plants. If your soil is heavy and doesn't drain well, you should give your tomato plants more space to avoid disease and rot. In this case, plant your tomatoes at least 36 inches apart. If your soil is light and drain quickly, you can space your plants a little closer together, at around 24 inches apart.

The Bottom Line

The recommendations above are a good starting point, but it's important to remember that every garden is different. You may need to adjust your spacing depending on the size of your plants and the space you have available. The most important thing is to give your tomato plants enough room to grow and produce healthy fruit. With the right spacing and care, your tomato plants will thrive and provide you with a bountiful harvest.