- 1). Choose an appropriate garden plot. For the biggest fruit, the University of New Hampshire states that tomato plants can grow and produce well in all soil conditions, but require full sun. Less than full sun may result in weaker plants, less lush foliage and smaller fruit.
- 2). Fertilize the soil before planting the tomatoes. This ensures high levels of nutrients that give the plant energy to create humongous fruit. Ohio State University recommends adding 5-10-10 or 5-20-20 garden fertilizer at a rate of 3 lbs. for every 100 square feet of gardening space. Mix the fertilizer into the soil 14 days before you plan to plant your tomatoes.
- 3). Stir in 3 inches of aged compost into the top 6 inches of soil, advises North Carolina State University. This helps improve the soil's ability to hold moisture---moisture is critical for optimal fruit growth---and also increases the level of micronutrients in the dirt.
- 4). Plant the tomatoes, whether you're sowing them from seeds or using transplanted seedlings, only after the soil temperature has climbed above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Missouri. Planting them sooner will result in stunted, smaller plants. When planting, space each seed or seedling 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for maximum growth and proper air circulation among the plants. This reduces the risk of fungal growths that can stunt the fruit size or rot away at the tomato blossoms.
- 5). Add a couple inches of mulch around the tomato plants once the plants are 5 to 6 inches tall. Mulch helps keep back weeds, which compete with the tomatoes for nutrients, and also helps conserve soil moisture.
- 6). Water the plants every day. The University of Missouri states that tomato fruit are comprised of 95 percent water, which makes regular watering crucial to encouraging large fruit. When watering, apply enough moisture to wet the soil to a depth of 6 to 9 inches,
- 7). Prune the tomato plants, recommends the University of New Hampshire. This helps the plant conserve energy and put it all toward growing the largest fruit possible. The university recommends cutting off any side branches to keep the entire plant limited to just one or two main stems. As new branches, known as suckers, grow from the base of leaf clusters, trim them off.
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