Answer:
Tomato varieties are classified as determinate or indeterminate.Spacing of tomato plants depends on the growth habit of the variety and training system employed.
Determinate Tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, stop, then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest period for determinate tomatoes is generally short, making them good choices for canning. Determinate tomatoes can be planted 2 to 2½ feet apart. Rows should be spaced about 4 feet apart.
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, flower, and set fruit until killed by the first frost in the fall. Accordingly, the harvest from indeterminate varieties often extends over a 2 or 3 month period. Indeterminate varieties that are staked can be planted 1½ to 2 feet apart in the row. Indeterminate plants grown in wire cages should be spaced 2½ to 3 feet apart, while a 3- to 4-foot-spacing would be appropriate for indeterminate tomatoes allowed to sprawl over the ground.
Learn more in this article: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden.
FAQs
In general, space out determinate tomato plants about 18 inches to 2 feet apart, leaving each row 4 feet apart. Place indeterminate tomatoes 2 to 3 feet apart with rows left 5 to 6 feet apart.
What is the best spacing for tomato plants? ›
In Ground: If you're planting directly in the ground, you may have more space and be planting in rows. In that case, space your tomatoes 18-24 inches apart along a row, but space your rows about 36 inches apart. This will leave enough room for you to work between rows.
How close together can I put tomato plants? ›
These cultivars fruit best when planted 2 to 2 ½ feet apart. Even though they need just 2 to 3 feet between plants to grow well, they need the full amount of space. Don't be tempted to skimp on spacing to squeeze in more plants, or disease will become more prevalent, and fruit production will suffer.
What is the row to row spacing for tomatoes? ›
Determinate tomatoes can be planted 2 to 2½ feet apart. Rows should be spaced about 4 feet apart.
Are used coffee grounds good for tomato plants? ›
Coffee grounds contain around 2% nitrogen as well as varying amounts of phosphorus and potassium which are all very important for the growth of tomato plants. By mixing some coffee grounds into the soil below your tomato plants you're introducing these nutrients that the plants need to thrive.
Can peppers and tomatoes be planted together? ›
Although it's usually recommended to not plant tomatoes and peppers right after each other in the same bed every year, they can be grown together in the same garden bed (and then rotated to another bed next season).
What is the most space efficient way to grow tomatoes? ›
To save space, plant your large tomato varieties 3 feet apart, and interplant quick maturing veggies, such as mesclun greens mix and radishes, between the tomato plants instead of in their own bed or container.
How do you arrange tomato plants? ›
You will need to stake, trellis, or cage most tomato plants to keep them off the ground. Decide on a support plan before you set out your plants, then add that support directly after planting. Give each plant enough room to grow. Space robust, long-vined, indeterminate varieties about 3 feet apart.
Can you plant tomatoes 2 feet apart? ›
Determinate-type tomatoes need plenty of space between plants to accommodate their bushy growth. Unsupported determinate tomatoes can be planted 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart in rows spaced 4 feet apart. Indeterminate tomatoes grow, flower, and set fruit continuously throughout the growing season.
How deep should I plant my tomato plants? ›
Plant Tomatoes Deep, Deep, Deep. Each Bonnie tomato label urges you to plant tomatoes deep, so that a full 2/3 of the plant is underground. That means that if you buy a 10-inch tall plant, all but the top three to four inches is buried.
Too Crowded
Planting several plants in one pot might seem like a good idea, but it usually is counterproductive. 2 Unless the pot is tremendous in size (like the size of a raised bed), plant only one tomato plant per pot.
How many tomato plants can I plant in a 4x4 raised bed? ›
If using cages or another wide support system, you can probably fit 6-8 tomato plants in that bed. If you're using a drop-string trellis or using determinate tomato varieties, you can probably fit 10-12 tomato plants in that bed.
