There are many tomato varieties out there, but they have a lot in common when it comes to care. Generally, tomatoes like 6-8 hours of sunlight a day and moist soil. Water gently at the base to reduce the risk of fungal disease. For outdoor plants, add a layer of mulch to hold moisture in. Indoor tomato plants will need a fan for 10-20 minutes a day for air circulation.

Pests enticed by tomatoes include aphids, whiteflies, cutworms, flea beetles and certain caterpillars. Look for signs of them as well as diseases like blight, fusarium will and powdery mildew. Some of these pests and fungi can quickly destroy a crop, so vigilance is a must.

Tomatoes have a short seeding process, but it requires some effort. Fill containers or cell trays almost to the top with damp seed starting mix, then plant 2-3 seeds per container/cell about a quarter-inch deep. Keep the containers in a warm area and water as needed. Heat mats and clear lids can produce heat and humidity that make germination happen faster.

Once sprouts appear (typically 5-10 days), move the containers to a sunny spot or provide grow lights. Gradually exposing the seedlings to more light and lower temperatures will acclimate them to avoid transplant shock.

How to plant your tomatoes depends on if they are a determinate or indeterminate variety. Determinate tomato plants can be planted similarly to other fruits and vegetables, though they need bigger pots and more space because of their large root systems. Indeterminate tomatoes require a trellis, cage or some other support so they can vine without being on the ground. When to plant is based on whether the tomato is an early, mid- or late-season plant; maturity typically takes 2-3 months.

Tomato plants love well-draining, slightly acidic and rich soil. Add compost or a slow-release fertilizer during the initial planting. From there, fertilize ground plants every 4-6 weeks and container plants every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season. Lean toward fertilizers that are balanced or higher in phosphorus. Rock dust and bone meal are good natural solutions. Watch for signs of nutrient deficiencies or do regular soil testing.

Many people grow tomatoes as annual plants, but with proper winterization, they can become perennials. Move container plants inside as soon as nighttime temperatures fall to 55 degrees. Keep them in an area with sunlight and add a grow light if necessary. For ground plants, add frost blankets or row covers for warmth and water them whenever the soil is a bit dry. Try to avoid big temperature swings because of the stress they cause.

For determinate tomato plants, pruning is usually not needed. On the other hand, indeterminate plants need to be pruned regularly until about three weeks before the initial harvest. Remove damaged leaves and any that are near the ground to reduce disease risk. For shaping, try to keep the center open so all plants have air and sun exposure.

Tomatoes are ripe and ready for harvest when they have full color and are firm but not hard. Twist them off the stem or cut the stem with shears. Harvest as the tomatoes ripen, and be aware heavy rain can cause rotting and splitting.