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Biting into a ripe, juicy tomato during the plant’s peak growing season is a supreme experience. Whether you’re enjoying a classic Caprese salad, a tomato sandwich on fluffy white bread, or a pretty tomato tart baked to perfection, all of your favorite tomato recipes simply taste better in the summertime. And if you’ve been nurturing a tomato plant in your yard, you’re well aware that garden-fresh tomatoes are simply unmatched.
Even though it’s a popular choice for gardeners, growing tomatoes has its fair share of challenges—especially in July when temperatures soar, diseases spread, and pests multiply. Given the intense midsummer heat, tomatoes struggle to grow in July, and without taking the right precautions, they can produce a smaller, weaker harvest. “With daytime heat, nighttime heat, and humidity, blossoms will often drop without pollinator,” explains Jill McSheehy, founder of The Beginner’s Garden blog and podcast. “If temperatures spike, ripening can slow.”
To help your crop stay healthy, resilient, and abundant all season, tackle these expert-approved tasks to keep them producing.
Remove Yellowing Leaves
By midsummer, you might start to notice yellowing leaves on your tomato plant. Whether the discoloration is due to dry spells, depleted soil, or diseases, the struggling leaves can stunt your crop’s growth, reducing its overall harvest. By staying on top of pruning (snipping the yellow leaves whenever you spot them), you’ll improve the plant’s airflow and maintain healthy growth. Keep in mind, however, that the leaves protect your tomato plant from intense July heat, so be careful not to chop off too many!
Prune Suckers
If you’re growing indeterminate tomatoes, vining varieties that reach 10 feet or taller, pinching off some suckers (the small shoots that form where the branches meet the stem) will contribute to more plentiful harvests. That’s because, by removing the suckers whenever they appear, you’ll help the plant direct its energy toward producing more fruit, rather than extra leaves.
Fertilize When Fruiting
Because tomatoes are heavy feeders, applying a suitable fertilizer helps maintain nutrient-dense soil. Fertilizing is especially important in July, a time when your plant has already used up most of the available nutrients. McSheehy recommends seeking out a fertilizer that’s low in nitrogen—otherwise, you’ll get leafy growth without much fruit. Prioritizing a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium will also maximize results.
Water Deeply
With intense July heat, it can be tempting to water your tomato plants on a daily basis to keep their beds nice and hydrated. But watering your crop deeply and less frequently actually strengthens the root system, so it can better handle droughts. Aiming for one to two inches of water every week will also prevent common issues like blossom-end rot and cracked fruit, according to McSheehy.
Add Stem Support
Most tomato plants need some structure to grow big and tall. By July, however, these veggies usually outgrow their cages or stakes and can skim the ground, which causes restricted airflow, rapid rotting, and exposure to pests. Since heavy fruit can cause the plant’s branches to bend or snap, be sure to add plant ties, garden twine, or tomato clips where needed.
Offer Shade
Because consistently hot weather can stunt tomatoes’ growth and limit ripening, shade can keep their development on track. “Even if the plant is flowering, it may not set fruit while temperatures are above 95 degrees, but when it cools down it may begin fruiting again,” notes Lucy Bradley, a professor and extension specialist of consumer and hommunity horticulture from NC State Extension. During heatwaves, McSheehy advises covering your tomato plant with a shade cloth during the hottest part of the afternoon and removing it once the temperatures cool, so they keep on producing—even in the heat.
Refresh Mulch
Mulching your tomato plant in July will keep your crop cool and help it retain moisture and suppress weeds, which will lead to a bigger, healthier harvest. To complete this plant-care task, sprinkle two to three inches of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings around the base of your tomato plant.
Watch for Pests
“Keep in mind that your tomato plants may initially thrive, but just as they start producing fruit, they may succumb to pests or diseases,” Bradley says. This is all too common in July, whose hot, humid weather creates the perfect conditions for pests. Stay on the lookout for signs of pests, such as yellowing leaves, dark spots, or visible critters, and address them as quickly as possible to keep your tomato plant healthy throughout the growing season.
