Experts Say You’ll Want to Grow This Humble Plant in Your Backyard This Summer

If grocery prices are giving you sticker shock, you are not alone. A vast majority (84 percent) of consumers describe current grocery prices in their area as “high” to some degree, with 18 percent saying they are “very high,” according to the Consumer Food Insights Report recently conducted by Purdue University. Between inflation and uncertainty around tariffs, prices of groceries like fruits and vegetables are expected to continue to fluctuate in the coming months. 

To adapt to the higher costs, some consumers are shifting their grocery shopping habits and choosing to grow some food in their own backyard to help cut costs. According to the same Purdue University analysis, nearly half of households (44 percent) say they currently produce or are planning to produce their own food, with vegetable and fruit gardening as the most popular (82 percent). Couple that with the fact that 99 percent of the tomatoes the United States imported in 2024 came from Mexico (86 percent) and Canada (13 percent), and it makes sense that growing tomato plants is expected to be a trend this summer season. 

Learn more about the benefits of growing your own tomatoes, what it takes to grow tomato plants successfully at home, recommendations for easy-to-grow varieties for beginners, and some DIY tips for bountiful harvests. 

Benefits of Growing Your Own Tomatoes

Since spring 2020, The Home Depot has seen an increase in the popularity of and excitement about growing vegetables and herbs at home, says David Graham, senior merchant of live goods at The Home Depot. “We think that excitement will continue this year,” says Graham. “Growing your own veggies or herbs at home offers a simple, rewarding way to grow what you use most. From backyard beds to patio pots, these small organic moments bring lasting value and everyday joy.” 

Some key benefits of growing your own tomatoes include: 

• Boosts health and mental well-being: In addition to producing nutritious fruits, tomato plants help people relax while spending time in nature. “It’s a way to slow down, get outside, and feel connected to your space,” notes Graham. According to The Home Depot’s Spring Project Report, among those planning gardening projects, 68 percent say planting and gardening activities make them happy, and 65 percent believe that gardening benefits their health and wellness. 
• Builds pride and satisfaction: Producing food at home helps people feel independent and excited about what they can accomplish. “We believe more homeowners will give tomato growing a try this spring since it’s a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, flavorful produce right at home,” says Graham. “People love growing tomatoes to make their own salsa, caprese, or just eating them as a healthy snack.” 
• Controls pests naturally: Tomatoes pair well with companion plants like basil, garlic, and onions in the garden. “When grown together, these plants can help repel common pests like nematodes, creating a healthier growing environment,” says Graham.
• Provides a more fresh and flavorful option: Growing and harvesting tomatoes at home means you don’t have to rely on those harvested and shipped from a distance. “Homegrown [vine-ripened] tomatoes offer unbeatable flavor and, when paired with other garden herbs, make everyday meals fresher and healthier,” notes Graham.

What it Takes to Grow Tomato Plants at Home

The best time to plant tomatoes is in the spring when the soil starts to warm up. They grow best in loamy, well-draining soil and spots that get 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. “With the right amount of sunlight, water, and soil, tomatoes can be the crown jewel of your garden, thriving in backyard beds or even in containers on a patio or balcony,” says Graham.

To get started, he recommends stocking up on a few key items:

• A pair of gardening gloves.
• A hand shovel, since you have to bury tomato plants deep into the soil.
• A raised garden bed, tomato cage, or a container/planter, depending on where you want to grow them, how big the space is, and the aesthetic you’re going for.
• Mulch: Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. The Earthgro Brown Wood Shredded Mulch is free from construction debris and made from forest products.
• Watering system: Juicy jumbo tomatoes need water, about 1 inch per week. Offering additional strength and reinforcement, the Husky 100-ft. Heavy-Duty Hose fits all standard faucets and offers many unique garden hose features.
• Fertilizer and soil: Tomatoes thrive in rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8, says Graham. Introducing a fertilizer like the Miracle-Gro Organic Raised Bed and Garden Soil with Quick-Release Natural Fertilizer helps ensure the plants receive the nutrients they need to grow strong.

Easy-to-Grow Varieties for Beginners

With a wide range of sizes, colors, shapes, and flavors from which to choose, it can quickly become overwhelming deciding the specific type of tomato plant to grow. You’ll want to look for tomato plants that are reliable, low maintenance, and full of flavor. Graham suggests the following beginner-friendly favorites you’ll often find at The Home Depot, among other local and national vendors. 

• Roma tomatoes: Compact and productive, Roma tomatoes are slender, firm, and oval-shaped. They are often used for sauces, salsas, and sun-dried tomatoes. Some types are determinate (bush); others are indeterminate, or grow longer in a vining fashion. Romas grow well in garden beds and containers and are easy to harvest. Try the Bonnie Plants 19 oz. Plum Roma Tomato Plant, a top pick for dependable yields and rich, meaty fruit.
• Cherry tomatoes: Fast-growing and sweet, cherry tomatoes are popular with beginning gardeners. Available in red, yellow, orange, and purple, this bite-size variety is perfect for snacking, grilling, hors d’oeuvres, and salads. Most are under an inch in diameter and come in round, pear, or oblong shapes. Producing continuously throughout the summer season, cherry tomatoes work well for container gardening but also can grow in a garden or raised bed. The Burpee 1.5 qt. Baby Boomer Tomato Plant delivers organic, juicy cherry tomatoes and is perfect for sunny spots and small-space setups. 
• Slicing tomatoes: A classic hybrid known for its big yields and disease resistance, Better Boy is an indeterminate variety that offers consistent, juicy slicing tomatoes all summer long. The Burpee 1.5 qt. Better Boy Tomato Plant is great for slicing and perfect for larger gardens with staking or cages.

DIY Tips for Bountiful Tomato Harvests

If you’re new to vegetable gardening, then consider these helpful tips for growing tomato plants from Graham. 

• Start with the right spot: Tomatoes need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, with morning sun being ideal. In hot climates, protect fruit from sunscald using a sun cloth like the Agfabric 6 x 12 ft. 40% Shade Cloth or tall plants like sunflowers nearby to provide partial shade in the day’s peak heat.
• Plant smart: Wait until soil temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. Space tomato plants 24 to 48 inches apart, depending on the variety and the type of support you’ll use. Plant about 6 to 8 inches deep, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves—this encourages a strong root system and helps the plant stay upright as it matures.
• Support early: Use cages, stakes, or trellises like the Vigoro 47 x 14 in. 4-Panel Wire Tomato Tower right from the start. Keeping plants upright improves sun exposure and airflow.
• Prune or pinch suckers: Remove suckers (the small shoots between the stem and branches) to focus growth on fruit, not foliage, and to improve circulation.

Finally, pick tomatoes when they are firm and in full color. They typically ripen best when the temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the fruit will soften and color will be poor.

 

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

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