You know that feeling when you’re at the farmer’s market and see those massive, gorgeous tomatoes that make yours look like cherry tomatoes? Yeah, I used to wonder how they did it too. Turns out, there are some old-school tricks that farmers have been using for decades to grow tomatoes that are seriously huge.
Most of these methods don’t cost a thing and use stuff you probably already have lying around. Ready to grow tomatoes that’ll make your neighbors do a double-take? Let’s get into it.
1.) Bury Stems Deep When Planting
Here’s a neat trick that veteran gardeners swear by: when planting tomatoes, remove the lower leaves and bury two-thirds of the stem underground. The buried stem will develop additional roots along its length, creating a stronger root system that can pull up more water and nutrients.
Plant your tomato at an angle if needed to get more stem underground. Those extra roots mean bigger, healthier plants that can support larger fruit. Just make sure the soil is warm (at least 60°F) before planting for best results.
2.) Add Epsom Salt to Soil
Epsom salt isn’t just for sore muscles. When you mix it into your tomato soil, you’re giving your plants a healthy dose of magnesium and sulfur. These nutrients help tomatoes produce more fruit and grow bigger.
Sprinkle about two tablespoons around the base of each plant when you transplant them in spring. You can also dissolve a tablespoon in a gallon of water and use it as a foliar spray every couple of weeks during the growing season.
The magnesium boost helps prevent yellow leaves and keeps your plants producing all summer long.
3.) Prune the Bottom Leaves
Once your tomato plants reach about three feet tall, grab your pruning shears and remove the bottom set of leaves. Those lower leaves tend to touch the soil, which makes them more likely to pick up fungal diseases and pests.
Trimming them off improves air circulation around the base of the plant and helps it focus energy on fruit production instead of maintaining unnecessary foliage.
Just make sure to use clean, sharp scissors or pruners, and don’t go overboard—keep plenty of leaves up top for photosynthesis.
4.) Use Eggshells for Calcium
Crushed eggshells work great as a natural calcium boost for your tomato plants. Just rinse them out, let them dry, and grind them into small pieces. Mix the crushed shells directly into the soil when you’re planting or sprinkle them around the base of established plants.
Calcium helps prevent blossom end rot, that annoying black spot that ruins perfectly good tomatoes. You can also toss whole shells into your compost pile if you’re planning ahead.
Either way, your plants get a slow-release calcium source that costs you nothing.
5.) Water Deeply but Infrequently
Here’s the secret: tomatoes need a good, long drink rather than frequent shallow watering. When you water deeply—about once or twice a week—the roots stretch down into the soil searching for moisture. This creates a stronger root system that can support bigger tomatoes.
Aim to give your plants about 1-2 inches of water per session, letting it soak down at least 6-8 inches. Surface watering does the opposite, keeping roots shallow and weak.
Check the soil a few inches down. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
6.) Plant Marigolds as Companions
Marigolds aren’t just pretty flowers—they’re your tomato plants’ best friends. Plant them around your tomato beds to keep away aphids, whiteflies, and those pesky hornworms that love munching on tomato leaves. The strong scent confuses harmful insects and sends them packing.
French marigolds work best for companion planting. Space them about 12 inches apart around your tomato plants in spring after the last frost. They’ll bloom all summer in full sun and need minimal watering once established.
7.) Pinch Off Suckers Regularly
Those little shoots that sprout between the main stem and branches are called suckers, and they’re stealing energy from your tomatoes. If you want bigger fruit, snap them off when they’re small and tender—just use your thumb and forefinger.
Check your plants weekly during the growing season, especially once they start flowering. Removing suckers redirects the plant’s energy toward producing larger tomatoes instead of extra foliage.
Leave a few suckers on indeterminate varieties if you want more fruit overall, but fewer is better for size.
8.) Mulch with Grass Clippings
Here’s a free way to keep your tomato plants happy and healthy. Spread a layer of grass clippings around the base of your plants, about 2-3 inches thick. The clippings break down slowly and feed nitrogen back into the soil while keeping weeds at bay.
Make sure the grass hasn’t been treated with chemicals, and let the clippings dry out for a day before spreading them. Wet clippings can get slimy and smelly.
Reapply every few weeks as the old layer decomposes. Your tomatoes will thank you with bigger fruits.
