10 Tips To Make Tomatoes Grow Faster

If you’ve ever planted tomatoes, you know the anticipation of seeing those first ripe fruits can feel like forever. Whether you're growing them in a backyard garden or in containers on your patio, you don’t have to wait endlessly. With the right approach, you can speed up your tomato growth and get an earlier, healthier harvest.

1. Choose Fast-Growing Varieties

Not all tomatoes grow at the same pace. To harvest sooner, start with early-maturing varieties like:

• Early Girl – ripens in about 50 days

• Bush Early Girl, Stupice or Cherry tomatoes – which typically mature in 55–65 days

Starting with the right variety sets the pace for the entire growing season.

2. Plant in Full Sun

Tomatoes are sun lovers. The more sun they get, the faster and better they grow. Make sure your plants receive at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably more.

3. Warm Up the Soil

Tomatoes love heat! If you’re planting early in the season, help them out by warming the soil in advance. Use black plastic mulch or landscape fabric to trap heat and encourage root development.

Ideal soil temperature for tomato planting is 70°F–85°F (21°C–29°C).

4. Water Deeply and Consistently

Inconsistent watering can stress your plants and slow down growth. Water your tomatoes deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Avoid shallow watering, which encourages weak roots.

Also, always water at the base of the plant to prevent disease on the leaves.

5. Use the Right Fertilizer at the Right Time

Start with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 when planting. Once flowers appear, switch to a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer such as 5-10-10 to promote more fruit rather than foliage.

Too much nitrogen = big bush, few tomatoes!

6. Prune for Productivity

Regularly remove suckers (small shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production. Pruning also increases airflow, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Bonus: Pruned plants are easier to manage and stake.

7. Grow in Bigger Pots (If Using Containers)

If you’re growing tomatoes in pots, size matters. Use containers that are at least 5 gallons in size to give roots enough room to grow. Make sure they have good drainage and are filled with a high-quality, compost-enriched potting mix.

8. Add Organic Boosters

Give your plants a natural boost with organic amendments like:

• Compost tea

• Worm castings

• Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) – great for yellowing leaves and blossom end rot prevention

These natural inputs encourage faster, healthier growth without chemical buildup.

9. Protect from Pests and Diseases

Early intervention keeps your plants healthy and productive. Watch for common pests like aphids, whiteflies, or cutworms. Use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or companion planting to keep them in check.

Healthy plants grow faster—period.

10. Harden Off Seedlings

If you started your tomatoes indoors, don’t transplant them straight into the garden. Harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days. This minimizes transplant shock and helps them adjust faster.

CONCLUSION

Tomatoes may take their time, but with the right techniques, you can accelerate their growth and enjoy juicy, homegrown tomatoes weeks earlier. Whether it’s choosing the right variety, warming the soil, or feeding them the right nutrients at the right time, small changes make a big difference.

Now grab your gloves, prep your beds, and let’s grow faster, tastier tomatoes this season!