The Better Boy is a hybrid tomato that is prized by home growers for its median maturity rate (70-75 days), and consistently excellent smooth-skinned fruits with a classic flavor. They are extremely popular thanks to their resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium Wilt. They are indeterminate and best-suited to cages or tepee-style staking.
Best Soil for Growing Better Boy Tomatoes
Any good tomato-growing soil is great for Better Boys. A good nutrient balance and slight acidity (pH of 6.5-7.0) is prime for these favorites. Although they are resistant to the more common wilting diseases, it’s still best to rotate Better Boy tomatoes as you would any other quality crop.
Proper Care of Better Boy Tomatoes
Better Boy hybrids are one of the more care-free of the tomato crops home gardeners enjoy. Plants should be put in the ground (or raised bed) when all danger of frost is past. They require about 72 days to bear ripe fruit, on average, so most areas will have plenty of growing season for these love apples. Give plenty of space for expansion – at least 36 inches between plants. They grow large under good conditions.
Use stakes, hoops or other supports to hold them upright and pinch off early buds and shoots to encourage plant growth for maximum yield. Add a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer or compost to the soil about halfway through the season. Water frequently, but do not drown the plants. Water is especially important once fruit has appeared in order to maximize growth and avoid splitting and end rot.
When to Harvest Better Boy Tomatoes
Harvest when the tomatoes are firm and round and a full red color. This will begin to happen at about the 70 day mark under good growing conditions, a little later if something has affected the plants. Most Better Boys are fully ripe by 80 days and nearly all yields will be complete by 90 days.
Better Boy Tomato Pests and Diseases
While Better Boys are generally disease resistant and will suffer little or no disease if properly rotated, they are susceptible to almost all predators. As with other tomato varieties, encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs, dragon flies, and even birds.
Watering at ground level (drip or furrow) in the morning rather than evening will avoid many other problems.
How to Prepare Better Boy Tomatoes
Better Boy yields can be used for just about anything tomatoes are favored for. They are juicy, have few seeds, and if just ripe, they are crisp as well. Better Boys make great salad slices, sandwich tomatoes, sauces, salsas, stew additions, and more. Even green Better Boys are less bitter than most other varieties and make for good frying or pickling.
Tips for Growing Better Boy Tomatoes
The real secret to this favored hybrid is to start them from seed indoors and give 6-8 weeks to gain size and stamina before transplanting. Because of its size, Better Boy is not generally a good container tomato, but it is often a favorite porch-side and kitchen garden variety. They can be grown in large buckets (5 gallons) as well.
Soil nutrition is key to having great yields with these tomatoes. Be sure the soil is ready for the plants when you transplant and keep it nutritious by adding compost at least once (preferably twice) during the season.
Want to learn more about growing Better Boy tomatoes?
Check out these helpful websites about growing tomatoes.
Home Gardening Series: Growing Tomatoes by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Growing Tomatoes by University of Illinois
I have Better Boy tomatoes planted in 2 “Earth Boxes”-2 plants per box. I am getting tomatoes much smaller than expected (1-2 in. in diameter). What causes this? I have followed the directions for Earth box, and have been using this system for several years. Would it be better to go to 1 plant per box next year? Would appreciate any info why ripe tomatoes are so small. Growing area is South East VA, and we have had one of the hottest summers on record.Thank you.
It might help to pinch off the runners. This allows the nutrients to flow to the newest blossoms And controls the plant.
I planted 2 better boy tomatoes 6 weeks ago they refuse to grow I planted them in pots because I live in an apartment what do I need to do
Karen, do you have them in full sun? Tomatoes require at least six hours of full sun per day. Also, depending where you live, tomatoes require warm weather to grow so if you’ve been having the cool spring weather with rain, your tomato plants are waiting for some sun and warmth which is hopefully on its way!
SORRY FOR THE CAPS—VISION IMPAIRMENT!!
I’M USUALLY A “HERB” GARDENER, BUT THIS YEAR I DECIDED TO TAKE A LEAP AT GROWING TOMATOES, & I HAVEN’T A CLUE WHAT TO DO, JUST FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS (HEY! I DON’T EVEN OWN A PAIR OF PANTS–DAH!)
MY PLANTS WERE ABOUT 3-4 INCHES HIGH 2 WEEKS AGO—B-A-M!!! NOW THEY’RE OVER 2FEET HIGH–H-E-L-P!!!
I HAVE THEM IN A PRETTY BIG POT ON MY DECK AT MY TOWNHOUSE. I JUST READ THEY CAN GROW UP TO 4-6 FT!
I’D LIKE A NATURAL WAY OF USING THE CORRECT PH BALANCE FERTILIZER, FROM MATERIALS IN MY HOME. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
IS THERE A WAY I CAN GROW A SLIGHTLY SMALLER PLANT, YET STILL YIELD A BOUNTY?
PLEASE ANSWER HERE &/OR ON MY FACE BOOK PAGE. THANKS Y’ALL!!
PAMELA NORTHSTEIN BROWN GAINES
First time I’ve heard of “properly rotating” my tomato plants. Mine are in the ground. What does this mean? Thank you for your consideration.
“Properly Rotating” your tomatoes means that you should not plant your tomatoes in the same spot for more than 3 years. Move them to a different part of your garden. Also try to avoid planting them in an area that grew potatoes or squash previously. Good Luck.
Can I plant my Better Boys in Parcial shade? They will get the morning sun and noon sun but not the sun when it’s to the west. I am planting by my patio.
My better boy plants from Lowes have had tomatoes since the plants were very small. The plants are somewhat small and thin but are producing tomatoes. P What’s going on?lants get about 5-6 hours of direct sun a day. They are just not very impressive like plants in previous years in this location. used ne top soil in raised bed.
My better boy flowers has itty baby tomatoes. They are like two or three weeks and the size has not changed. Is that normal? When will the fruit start to grow?