9 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Tomato Plants

Hooray—springtime means it is finally time to plant tomatoes! Still, before rushing out of the store with a handful of them, it is essential to take a second to evaluate the batch so you don't accidentally end up with a lousy tomato plant that will be wilting before you know it. Inspect the plant for size, color, and pesky insects so you'll bring home the right specimen to plant in your garden and set up the season for success. To get the best ruby juicy fruits this season, here's what to look for to avoid nine common mistakes when buying your tomato plants. You'll thank us later.

Skip Plants With Flowers or Fruit

You want plants that will put all of their energy during the first weeks after planting into growing roots, stems, and leaves—not flowering or ripening fruit. Defer gratification now, and you'll get lots more tomatoes later. As an option, pinch off any flowers or fruit before planting.

Check for Insects

Keep an eye out for whiteflies in particular. Whiteflies look like little, white triangles and congregate in great masses on the undersides of the leaves, sucking the sap. Infested plants are basically non-salvageable. Lightly brush the foliage of any new plant before you buy. Leave that plant behind if you see any tiny, white triangles fly off.

Find Out Your Area's Frost-Free Date

Frost kills tomato plants, but you can cover them outside to protect against possible frost if you know when that might happen. Just Google your ZIP code and "last spring frost date."

Note the Type of Tomato Plant

Tomato plants are either determinate or indeterminate. A determinate tomato, like 'Celebrity', 'Rutgers', and 'Patio', grows into a bit of a bush and ripens its fruit all at once. Choose this kind for growing in small spaces or containers. An indeterminate tomato, like 'Better Boy' and 'Beefmaster,' grows nonstop like a vine, needs support to hold it up, and ripens fruit over a long period. Choose this kind for growing in cages where you have more room.

Don't Assume Heirloom Tomatoes Are Easier

Popular heirloom tomatoes like 'Cherokee Purple' are challenging to grow. They may look cool and taste great, but they're generally more susceptible to disease and weather than newer hybrids and are typically lower-yielding. However, if you put the time and effort into your heirloom tomatoes, they will yield some tasty crops. Just be sure to look outside the popular kinds of tomatoes and try something different, like cherry tomatoes.

Avoid Plants That Look Rough

Of course, if you have a green thumb, you can most likely revitalize a sad-looking plant. But be aware of buying tomato plants on the clearance rack with many problems just because you think you can nurse them back to life. When starting your tomato garden, you want plants with a good foundation. Here are a few general things to consider when buying your tomato plant:

• A bunch of holes in a tomato plant could mean a little worm has been snacking.
  
• Avoid tomato plants with dark spots, as this could indicate a fungus.
• Opt for full, green foliage and avoid a yellowing plant.
• Try to avoid a plant whose leaves look scorched by the sun. Sometimes this means the plant has other problems, like over-fertilization.

Consider Size

Look for a plant that’s not too large and not too scrawny. Smaller plants, around 6-10 inches tall, can put their energy into establishing strong roots and a sturdy stem before they get too tall. The stem should be the thickness of a pencil.

Inspect the Stem

Ensure the tomato plant you buy has a solid central stem that is not drooping. The stem should be green and unblemished. Check for cracks, breaks, brown streaks, or cuts in the stem, and make sure it isn’t falling over. These can indicate a weak stem or that root rot has taken hold.

Know When To Buy Them

Tomatoes are planted when the ground is warm, after the last spring frost. They may appear in garden centers early. If you buy them early, just make sure you can protect them and give them good growing conditions until it is time to plant them. If you buy them late, plant them but know their production may be affected by the delay.

Now that you have a good base knowledge of the pitfalls of tomato plant buying, you can easily shop. After you bring them home, read our guide on how to avoid common mistakes when growing them so you have a no-fail season.

Don't forget to tag us in your tomato plant photos—we love to see some thriving tomatoes!