Want a great tomato harvest? Follow these 7 simple growing tips.

Tomatoes are one of my favorite things to grow! They are easy, fast-growing, and productive.

I have grown tomatoes everywhere from a pot on a second floor balcony in Houston, Texas, to a tiny shady apartment garden in Ohio, to a hay bale in a sunny field. Each area had its own challenges, but overall, I got lots of delicious tomatoes in every circumstance.

However, there are a few tips to keep in mind when growing tomatoes, which can help improve the health of your plants, and thus the size of your tomato harvest.

The 7 quick tips below from Rodale’s Organic Life should prove helpful to just about any tomato grower.

1. Set tomatoes deeply when transplanting….

2. Well-drained soil is a must. If your ground doesn’t drain quickly after rain, plant in raised beds or on soil berms.

3. Mulch to keep the foliage clean. Soil splashing during heavy rain can lead to soil borne diseases.

4. Don’t crowd your plants….

5. Large-fruited varieties need at least 6 hours of direct sun to yield well. Where sunlight is limited, cherry tomatoes are the best option.

6. Pay attention to your plants. Look out for pests and wilting foliage…

7. Keep it interesting: Choose fun varieties, and try new ones often!