How To Grow Big Boy Tomatoes

If you want to learn how to grow big boy tomatoes, you’ve come to the right place. This classic, meaty beefsteak variety is a favorite for a reason, and with the right care, you can harvest huge, flavorful fruits from your own garden. Let’s get started with the essential steps for success.

Growing these giants is part art and part science. It’s not just about planting a seedling and hoping for the best. You need to focus on a few key areas: strong starts, perfect soil, consistent feeding, and smart pruning. Follow these expert tips, and you’ll be well on your way to a bumper crop.

This specific variety, ‘Big Boy’, is a hybrid that produces large, red fruits often weighing over a pound. They are known for their excellent classic tomato flavor and are ideal for sandwiches and slicing. To get the best from them, a tailored approach is key.

Starting Right: Seeds vs. Seedlings

You can begin from seed indoors or purchase young plants from a nursery. Starting from seed gives you more control and variety choice, but buying seedlings saves time.

If starting indoors: Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Use a sterile seed-starting mix and provide plenty of light.
Choose seedlings that are stocky and dark green. Avoid any that are already flowering or look leggy and weak. A strong start is crucial for supporting those big fruits later on.

The Perfect Planting Site and Soil

Tomatoes are sun worshippers. They need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun means more energy for growing big, juicy tomatoes.

Soil is everything. Big Boy tomatoes demand rich, well-draining soil packed with organic matter. Here’s how to prepare your bed:

Test your soil pH. Aim for a slightly acidic range of 6.2 to 6.8.
Work in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. This improves drainage and fertility.
Consider adding a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer at planting time to give them a steady nutrient supply.

Planting Technique for Strong Roots

When it’s time to plant, do it deeply. Tomato stems can grow roots along their length.

Dig a hole deep enough to bury two-thirds of the plant.
Pinch off the lower leaves and place the root ball in the hole.
Backfill with soil. This deep planting encourages a massive, robust root system that can support a heavy-yielding plant.

Watering and Feeding for Massive Fruit

Inconsistent watering is the enemy of big, crack-free tomatoes. Your goal is even soil moisture.

Water deeply and slowly at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Aim for 1-2 inches per week.
Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose for the best results. It delivers water directly to the roots where it’s needed.
Mulch heavily with straw or shredded leaves. Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil temperature even.

Feeding is non-negotiable. Big Boy tomatoes are heavy feeders, especially once they start setting fruit.

At planting, use a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus (the middle number) to promote root and flower development.
Once fruits begin to form, switch to a fertilizer with more potassium (the last number) to support fruit growth and overall plant health.
Follow package instructions carefully—over-fertilizing, especially with too much nitrogen, can lead to lush leaves but few fruits.

The Essential Skill: Pruning and Support

Big Boy tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they grow and produce fruit all season until frost. They get very large and need strong support.

Use tall, sturdy cages, heavy-duty stakes, or a trellis system. Install them at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.
As the plant grows, tie the main stem to the support loosely with soft cloth or garden twine.

Pruning, or removing suckers, is vital for directing energy. Suckers are the small shoots that grow in the “V” between the main stem and a branch.

For the biggest fruit, many gardeners prune to one or two main stems.
Regularly pinch out suckers while they are small (under 2 inches). This is easier on the plant and prevents wasted energy.
Also, remove any yellowing or diseased leaves from the bottom of the plant to improve air circulation.

Pollination and Fruit Set

Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but sometimes they need a little help, especially in very calm or humid weather.

Gently shake the main stem or flower clusters during midday to help release pollen.
You can also use a small electric toothbrush to vibrate the flower stems—this mimics the buzz of a bee.
Avoid using pesticides that harm the pollinators that do visit your garden.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with great care, issues can arise. Here’s how to handle common Big Boy tomato problems:

Blossom End Rot

This appears as a dark, leathery spot on the bottom of the fruit. It’s caused by a calcium deficiency often linked to irregular watering.

Solution: Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch and deep watering. Ensure your soil pH is correct so calcium is available to the plant.

Cracking or Splitting

This happens when the fruit expands to quickly, usually after a heavy rain following a dry period.

Solution: Again, consistent watering is the key. Mulch helps buffer these moisture fluctuations.

Pests like Hornworms and Aphids

Check your plants regularly. Handpick hornworms. For aphids, a strong spray of water from the hose often does the trick.

Harvesting Your Big Boy Tomatoes

Don’t rush the harvest. For the best flavor, let the fruits ripen fully on the vine until they are a deep, uniform red and slightly soft to the touch.

If frost threatens, you can pick mature green tomatoes and ripen them indoors in a paper bag with a banana. But vine-ripened is always superior in taste. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving a small bit of stem attached.

FAQ: Your Big Boy Tomato Questions Answered

How much sun do Big Boy tomato plants need?
They need full sun, meaning at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. More is even better for maximum growth.

What’s the best fertilizer for Big Boy tomatoes?
Use a balanced fertilizer at planting. When flowers appear, switch to a formula lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooming and fruiting.

How far apart should I space my Big Boy plants?
Space them 24 to 36 inches apart in rows that are about 4 feet apart. Good air circulation helps prevent disease.

Why are my Big Boy tomato plants flowering but not setting fruit?
Extreme heat (over 90°F) or nighttime temperatures below 55°F can interfere with pollination. Too much nitrogen fertilizer can also cause excess leaf growth at the expense of fruit. Try hand-pollinating and review your feeding schedule.

Can I save seeds from my Big Boy tomatoes?
Big Boy is a hybrid (F1), so seeds saved from its fruit will not grow true to type. The resulting plants will be unpredictable. It’s best to purchase new seeds or plants each year for consistent results.

Growing impressive Big Boy tomatoes is incredibly rewarding. By focusing on soil health, consistent water and food, and proper pruning, you give your plants the foundation they need to thrive. Pay attention to there needs throughout the season, and you’ll be rewarded with a harvest of magnificent, homegrown tomatoes that are worth every bit of effort. Remember, gardening is a learning process, so don’t be discouraged by setbacks—each season teaches you something new.