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1. Plant Deep.
Bury a tomato plant's stem and the stem will sprout a slew of new roots that help the plant grow sturdy and tall quickly. Tomatoes to be staked can be planted about 24 inches apart with 3 to 4 between rows.

2. Water Often.
A consistent soil moisture is critical to the development of tomatoes, and if allowed to dry too much it can help bring on blossom end rot, which is primarily caused by a low level of calcium in the fruit. Generally speaking one to two inches of water per week will be needed.

3. Feed Soil First.
Feed the soil first and give your tomatoes the love they deserve. Use Farmer D Organics compost and supplement it with organic fertilizer, kelp meal and seaweed, a potassium rich additive that promotes strong stem growth. Recommended fertilizers are Tomato Tone and 4-6-2-All Purpose.

4. Always Mulch.
Mulch is a great way to help manage your tomatoes. It helps suppress weed growth, moderates the soil temperatures, and with organic mulches will eventually break down and enrich the soil.

5. Pluck the First Flowers.
Growing deep, extensive roots and a full leaf canopy will help establish newly transplanted tomatoes. Many experienced tomato growers pull off the first flowers, so the plant does not devote energy to forming fruit before its roots and foliage have filled out. Also, pull off all the suckers (shoots that emerge from the main stem below the first fruiting branch)except for those on cherry tomatoes.

6. Revive Damaged Plants.
If cutworms, mice, slugs, the neighbor's dog or other hazards hack into your transplants, don't despair. Cut an inch or so off the bottom of the stem and place the rest in a container of water out of direct sun for a week or so. It will sprout roots along the stem. Then transplant it back into garden and watch it grow.

7. Stop Blossom End Rot!
Growers often are upset to notice that a dark sunken decay has developed on the bottom end of their tomatoes, especially the first tomatoes of the season. No worries, this can be easily resolved. Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium which can be prevented by the tips above and resolved by adding calcium to your soil. We recommend using Calcium Chelate.