Description
Better Boy Plus Tomato: The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for This High-Yielding Favorite
If you’ve ever wanted to grow a tomato that seems to do it all—delicious flavor, big fruit, heavy yields, and strong plants—the Better Boy Plus Tomato could be exactly what you’ve been looking for. This hybrid variety takes the much-loved Better Boy tomato and makes it even better, with improved disease resistance and a longer harvest season.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this garden favorite. From planting to harvest, you’ll learn how to grow Better Boy Plus tomatoes that deliver baskets of juicy, flavorful fruit all summer long.
What Makes Better Boy Plus So Special?
Better Boy Plus is an indeterminate tomato, which means it doesn’t stop growing or producing after its first harvest. Instead, it keeps giving you fruit week after week until frost. It’s perfect for gardeners who want a long season of fresh tomatoes.
Quick Facts
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Growth Habit: Indeterminate
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Days to Maturity: 75–80 from transplant
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Fruit Size: 10–16 ounces per tomato
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Flavor: Balanced—rich, juicy, sweet with a hint of tang
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Disease Resistance: Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt (Races 1 & 2), Root-Knot Nematodes
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Best Uses: Slicing, salads, sandwiches, sauces, and canning
Why Gardeners Love Better Boy Plus
With so many tomato varieties available, why does this one stand out? The answer is simple: flavor, reliability, and abundance.
1. True Tomato Flavor
Better Boy Plus delivers that old-fashioned taste people love—bright, slightly tangy, and deeply juicy. Slice it thick for BLTs, layer it on burgers, or eat it fresh with a sprinkle of salt. It tastes like summer itself.
2. Big Fruit, Heavy Harvests
This plant produces large tomatoes, many over a pound each. Because it keeps producing all season, a few plants can give you enough for fresh eating, sauces, and even canning.
3. Built-In Disease Resistance
Tomatoes often struggle with diseases like wilt and nematodes. Better Boy Plus was bred to stand strong against some of the most common problems, so you can spend less time worrying and more time harvesting.
4. Strong, Vigorous Growth
This plant grows tall—often 5 to 8 feet—and thrives with proper support. Give it space, good soil, and sunshine, and it will reward you with weeks of dependable harvests.
How to Grow Better Boy Plus Tomatoes
Growing Better Boy Plus is straightforward, but there are a few steps to set yourself up for success.
Step 1: Start with Healthy Seeds or Transplants
You can start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date or buy healthy seedlings from a nursery. Use a seed-starting mix and keep seedlings in bright light to prevent legginess.
Step 2: Transplant at the Right Time
Wait until the soil has warmed to at least 60°F and frost danger has passed. These tomatoes love heat and need full sun—at least 6–8 hours per day.
Step 3: Prepare the Soil
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. For best results:
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Use rich, well-draining soil
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Mix in compost or aged manure before planting
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Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0
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Add a balanced fertilizer (5-10-10 or similar) at planting
Step 4: Plant Deep for Strong Roots
Bury seedlings up to their first set of true leaves. The buried stem will form extra roots, giving the plant a stronger base. Space plants 24–36 inches apart, with 3 feet between rows for airflow.
Step 5: Provide Strong Support
Better Boy Plus grows tall and heavy with fruit. Install tomato cages, stakes, or a trellis at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.
Watering and Feeding
Tomatoes need steady moisture and regular feeding to produce their best fruit.
Watering Tips
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Provide 1–2 inches of water per week
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Water deeply at the base, not overhead
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Keep soil evenly moist to prevent cracking or blossom-end rot
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Mulch with straw or shredded leaves to conserve moisture
Feeding Tips
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At planting: Add slow-release organic fertilizer
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During the season: Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with a tomato-specific food higher in phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen
Watch for signs of nutrient issues, like yellowing leaves or black spots on the fruit, and adjust feeding as needed.
Flowering and Pollination
Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but they still need movement for pollen transfer. Outdoors, wind and bees do the job. Indoors or in calm conditions, gently shake the plants or use a small brush to help with pollination.
Harvesting Better Boy Plus
Tomatoes are ready when fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Harvest frequently to encourage more fruit production. If frost is coming, pick green tomatoes and ripen them indoors in a sunny spot.
Avoid refrigeration when possible—cold temperatures dull the flavor and make the texture mealy.
Common Problems and Simple Fixes
Even strong varieties like Better Boy Plus can face occasional challenges. Here’s what to watch for:
Problem | Likely Cause & Fix |
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Yellow Leaves | Overwatering or nutrient deficiency—trim and fertilize |
Blossom-End Rot | Calcium imbalance—water consistently and mulch |
Cracking Fruit | Uneven watering—maintain steady soil moisture |
Aphids/Whiteflies | Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs |
Leaf Spots/Blight | Prune affected leaves, improve airflow, apply fungicide |