How to Strengthen a Growing Tomato Plant and Prepare It for the Home Garden
Since 2010, Tomato Dirt has garnered 4.6+ million views, making it the web’s leading online source for growing tomatoes in the home garden. Award-winning writer and Tomato Dirt owner Kathy Widenhouse has helped thousands of home gardeners grow healthier tomatoes. Be one of them when you get Tomato Dirt’s Growing Guide here.
Updated 1.8.2024
When you strengthen a growing tomato plant before setting outside in the garden, you have a much greater chance for healthy results.
Before you leave ...
Get your free copy of "10 Must-Know Tomato Growing Tips." This 20-page guide is filled with tips you need to know to have a successful tomato crop, whether you’re a beginning or experienced gardener.
Studies at Cornell University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Torino (Italy) show what tomato growers have known for years: motion helps tomatoes grow stronger, thicker stems.
The studies used mechanical brushing to test and measure results.
Motion helps promote cell division and raised chlorophyll levels. Brushing plants helps them grow stronger, stockier (though shorter), and more able to withstand transplanting into the garden.
You can help strengthen a growing tomato plant by making it move!
There are two ways you can give your tomatoes a workout: brush them and blow air on them.
Brushing Tomato Plants
Begin brushing seedlings when they are 2-3 inches high. Pass your hand lightly over the seedlings several times a day.
When seedlings are 4 inches tall, push them a little harder. Grasp stems and bend them back and forth, being careful not to disturb their roots
Blowing on Tomato Plants
Get your tomatoes to move in the breeze. Aim a slow-blowing fan towards your seedlings 2 or 3 times a day, starting with 5 minutes at a time.
Gradually increase breezes to 30 minutes a session.
A Special Note: Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands before you brush them across tomato seedlings, especially if you’re a smoker. It is possible to transfer the tobacco mosaic virus through touch. Wash your hands after brushing, too. Some people are mildly allergic to tomato leaves and you may be one of them.
More Tips for Starting and Growing Tomatoes
When to start tomato seeds: Do's and Don'ts ...
Grow tomatoes from seeds: what you need to know
Start Plants from Seeds or Buy Tomato Seedlings?
The best time to start tomato seeds in your area ...
Tomato seed starting timetable ...
Germinate seeds to get best results when growing tomatoes
How to plant seeds and grow tomatoes yourself ...
How to label and grow tomatoes from seed ...
Best seed starting containers to use to grow tomato seeds
Compare seed starting kits for growing tomatoes ...
Seed starting potting mix to use when growing tomato seeds
Review: Pro-Mix Seed Starting Formula for growing tomato seeds ...
Seed starting mix for tomatoes: what ingredients are important ...
What tomato seedlings need to grow ...
Tomato growing tips for seeds ...
Re-potting tomato seedlings to a bigger container ...
Tomato Seedling tips on our Pinterest board ...
Return from Strengthen a Growing Tomato Plant to Tomato Dirt home
As an Amazon Associate and Rakuten Advertising affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
SHARE THIS PAGE:
FREE! 10 Must-Know Tomato Growing Tips: 20-page guide
Get yours here:
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave a comment in the box below.