Growing Tomatoes in Raised Garden Beds: The Complete Guide

Growing juicy, flavorful tomatoes is a rewarding experience for any gardener. And raising them in raised garden beds can take your tomato growing to the next level.

Raised beds offer many advantages over traditional in-ground gardening. The soil warms up quicker in the spring, drains better, and is easier to amend and enrich. This makes it ideal for heat-loving crops like tomatoes.

In this complete guide, I’ll share my tips and tricks for getting the most out of your tomato plants grown in raised beds. From soil preparation to planting, feeding, troubleshooting, and harvesting, you’ll find everything you need to know to grow your tastiest tomatoes ever!

Why Choose Raised Beds for Tomatoes?

There are several key reasons why raised garden beds are great for growing tomatoes

• Warmer soil temperatures – The soil in raised beds warms up faster in spring since it’s elevated above the ground. This gives tomato plants an early start on growing.

• Improved drainage – Raised beds allow excess water to drain away readily, preventing soggy soil that can cause disease problems in tomatoes.

• Easy to enrich soil – It’s simple to mix in soil amendments like compost before planting and to side dress with fertilizer during the season

• Less bending and kneeling – Working at waist height reduces back strain compared to stooping over at ground level.

• Earlier yield – Thanks to warmer soil and excellent drainage, you can harvest tomatoes up to 2 weeks sooner compared to in-ground plants.

• Higher yields – Tomato plants tend to be more productive overall when grown in the enriched, loose soil that raised beds provide.

How to Build a Raised Bed for Tomatoes

Constructing a proper raised bed will ensure your tomato plants thrive. Follow these tips:

• Choose a sunny, well-draining spot at least 6 feet square. Tomato plants need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Build a 12-18 inch deep raised bed using rot-resistant wood like cedar or redwood. Or try bricks, blocks, or even hay bales.

• Add a layer of hardware cloth to the bottom if using wooden sides. This will keep plant roots from growing into the ground.

• Fill with a quality potting mix blended with compost and organic fertilizer. Tomato plants like nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5.

• Consider adding a trellis or tomato cages for support if growing vining indeterminate varieties.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Raised Beds

Timing is everything when it comes to transplanting tomatoes into your raised bed:

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date.

• Harden off young plants by setting them outdoors in partial shade for 7-10 days before transplanting.

• Wait until daytime temps are consistently in the 60°F-85°F range and night temps stay above 50°F before moving plants to the raised bed. This prevents cold shock.

• Plant tomatoes deeper than they were growing in pots, burying 2/3 of the stem. More roots will develop along the buried stem section.

• Add a slowly soluble organic fertilizer like 6-4-4 or 8-4-12 in the planting holes or trenches. This will feed plants for 6-8 weeks after transplanting.

Spacing Tomatoes in a Raised Bed

Proper spacing prevents overcrowding and allows ample air circulation around plants:

• Bush varieties: Space determinate bush types 12-18 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.

• Vine varieties: Allow 18-24 inches between indeterminate vine tomatoes in rows 3 feet apart.

• Leave at least 1-2 feet between the raised bed walls and your tomato plants for easy access.

• Planting companion flowers like marigolds or herbs like basil between tomato plants helps deter pests.

Caring for Tomato Plants in Raised Beds

Give your tomatoes attentive care and they’ll reward you with an abundant harvest:

• Water deeply 1-2 times a week during dry spells. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target plant roots.

• Add 3-4 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Leave space near stems to discourage disease.

• Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Layer compost or worm castings around plants as an organic nutrient boost.

• Prune vining indeterminates to 2-4 main stems and remove suckers for best fruit production.

• Install tall sturdy cages or trellises for vine types when transplanting. Stake determinate bushes as needed.

• Check under leaves frequently for pest insects and diseases. Remove damaged leaves promptly.

Common Tomato Problems in Raised Beds

Raised beds don’t guarantee problem-free tomato growing. Watch for these potential issues:

• Blossom end rot – Caused by low calcium. Amend soil with lime or crushed eggshells to increase calcium levels. Keep watering consistent.

• Cracks in fruits – Due to uneven watering. Mulch and use drip irrigation for even moisture.

• Wilts and blights – Fungal diseases worsened by crowded plants and damp leaves. Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage.

• Pests like hornworms and aphids – Hand pick larger pests. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations. Plant marigolds to repel aphids.

• Rodent or bird damage – Install physical barriers like hardware cloth cages or netting if needed.

Harvesting Tomatoes from a Raised Bed

Here are some tips for collecting the bounty from your raised bed tomatoes:

• Pick tomatoes when fully colored but still firm. Allow to ripen further indoors.

• Harvest early in the day when temperatures are cool to avoid bruising.

• Cut stems rather than tugging fruits off vines to avoid plant damage.

• Pick often to encourage more fruit production. Don’t let overripe tomatoes remain on the vines.

• Fall crops will keep better if harvested before heavy frosts. Pull up entire plants and hang in garage or basement to slowly ripen remaining fruit.