🥕 Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
vegetables fruit (culinary vegetable)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6–8+ hours direct sunlight daily)
💧 Water
Medium–high; 1–2 inches per week consistently; inconsistent watering causes blossom end rot; mulch to retain moisture
🗺️ Zones
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained loam amended with compost; generous organic matter
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–6.8 (slightly acidic)
💧 Drainage
Well-drained; does NOT tolerate waterlogged soil — leads to root rot and blossom end rot
📏 Spacing
18–36 inches apart in rows 36–48 inches apart; indeterminate varieties need more space (24–36 in); caged/staked
📅 Days to Maturity
55-85 days (from transplant); 65-90 days from transplant, 100-120 from seed depending on variety
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit (berries botanically)"]
🤝 Companions (9)
Repels whiteflies, mosquitoes, spider mites, and aphids; some gardeners report improved tomato flavor when grown nearby
Produces alpha-terthienyl which suppresses root-knot nematodes; repels tomato hornworm and whiteflies
Repels tomato hornworm; attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory wasps; adds trace minerals to soil
Repels spider mites and aphids; antifungal volatile compounds may reduce late blight and powdery mildew risk
Trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from tomatoes; repels whiteflies and squash bugs
Carrots break up soil for tomato roots; tomatoes provide light shade for carrots in hot weather (allelopathy is debated — some sources say carrots stunt tomatoes, others say they help)
Tomatoes repel asparagus beetle with solanine; asparagus may deter root nematodes
Repels aphids; antifungal properties may help reduce early blight
Parsley attracts beneficial insects including hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on tomato pests; may improve tomato flavor and vigor. Recommended by WVU Extension and Almanac as a tomato companion.
⚠️ Keep Apart (18)
Allelopathic — secretes growth-inhibiting compounds that stunt tomatoes and most garden vegetables
⚠️ Walnut (Black Walnut)
Produces juglone, a potent allelopathic toxin that causes tomato wilt and death; effective up to 50-80 ft from tree
Both are Solanaceae; share susceptibility to early blight (Alternaria solani) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans); potatoes can stunt tomato growth
⚠️ Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm (Helicoverpa zea); increases pest pressure on both crops
⚠️ Dill (mature)
Mature/bolting dill may release compounds that inhibit tomato growth. Young dill is beneficial: it attracts predatory wasps and hoverflies that control tomato pests. Harvest dill before it flowers if planted near tomatoes. WVU Extension lists dill as a tomato companion with this caveat.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
Corn earworm and tomato fruitworm are the same pest (Helicoverpa zea) — planting together concentrates damage.
Tomatoes and sweet potato compete for similar nutrients and share pest susceptibility.
Tomatoes are antagonistic to brassicas — both release root exudates that mutually stunt growth. Separate by at least 3–4 feet.
💊 Medicinal Uses
["Rich in lycopene \u2014 antioxidant linked to reduced prostate cancer risk and cardiovascular health", "High in vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K", "Traditional use: topical application for sunburn and acne (anti-inflammatory)"]
📝 Notes
Two main types: determinate (bush, all fruit ripens at once) and indeterminate (vining, produces until frost). Rotate away from Solanaceae for at least 3 years. Companion planting with basil and marigolds is among the most widely studied and validated combinations in companion planting literature.