Hi everyone, it's Jorge from Envii. We're into early July now, and if you're growing tomatoes, they’re probably looking pretty good. But this stage of the season can really be make or break when it comes to your harvest.
So here are five things we do at this stage to keep our plants healthy and productive:
1. Watering Consistently
The biggest mistake right now is inconsistent watering, especially in hot weather. Letting plants dry out and then soaking them can lead to issues like split tomatoes and blossom end rot. Try to keep the soil consistently moist – not dry, not soggy – and always water at the base to avoid disease.
2. Feeding with Maximato
Once your plants are flowering and fruit starts forming, they need feeding. We use Maximato, our natural tomato feed enriched with calcium, magnesium and seaweed. Calcium is particularly helpful in preventing blossom end rot. Regular feeding at this stage helps produce larger, healthier fruits.
3. Removing Side Shoots (Cordon Varieties Only)
Know your tomato type. Cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes grow tall and need their side shoots pinching out. These appear in the V-shape between the leaf and main stem. Removing them directs energy to the main crop.
For bush (determinate) tomatoes like Roma or Tiny Tim, leave the side shoots. They actually produce fruit, so pinching them out reduces your yield.
4. Supporting the Plants
As plants grow taller and heavier with fruit, proper support is essential. Use bamboo canes or stakes and soft ties to avoid snapped stems. Keep an eye on your ties and adjust as needed.
5. Removing Lower Leaves
As the plants fill out, start removing some of the lower leaves. This improves airflow and reduces the risk of disease, especially in more humid conditions.
This is one of our favourite times of the year. The fruits are swelling, plants are thriving, and all your effort is paying off.
If you’ve got your own tomato tips, drop them in the comments. And if you’ve been using Maximato, we’d love to hear how it’s going!
