Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Better Boy in USDA Zone 7
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Better Boy · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | — | May – November |
| Zone 9 | December – January | February – March | — | April – November |
| Zone 10 | November – December | January – February | — | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start your Better Boy seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, planting them ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix. Keep soil temperature between 65-75°F for optimal germination in 7-14 days. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, transplant to 4-inch pots and gradually acclimate them outdoors over 7-10 days before transplanting.
Prepare your planting site by working 2-3 inches of compost into well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-6.8. Better Boy thrives in full sun locations that receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Space plants 24-36 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Transplant outdoors when soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Plant deep, burying 2/3 of the stem to encourage strong root development. Install sturdy tomato cages or stakes at planting time since Better Boy is an indeterminate variety that can reach 6-8 feet tall.
Fertilize with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting, then switch to a lower nitrogen formula (like 5-10-5) once flowering begins to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production. Side-dress with compost monthly throughout the growing season.
Maintain consistent soil moisture with 1-2 inches of water weekly, watering at the base to keep foliage dry. Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Remove suckers (shoots growing between main stem and branches) weekly to direct energy into fruit production.
Avoid common mistakes like overwatering young transplants, which can cause root rot, and planting too early when soil is still cool. In northern zones (3-6), consider using black plastic mulch to warm soil faster. Southern gardeners (zones 8-10) should provide afternoon shade during peak summer heat to prevent sunscald on developing fruits.
Harvesting
Better Boy tomatoes are ready to harvest 70-75 days from transplant when fruits reach full size (typically 8-12 ounces) and develop a deep red color with slight give when gently squeezed. The shoulder area around the stem should lose any green tinge, though a small green star pattern at the top is normal.
Perform the twist test by gently rotating the fruit - ripe tomatoes will separate easily from the vine with minimal pressure. If resistance is felt, wait another 2-3 days. Harvest in early morning when fruits are cool and firm, or in early evening after afternoon heat subsides.
Use clean pruning shears or twist with a slight upward motion to avoid damaging the vine and nearby developing fruits. Check plants every 2-3 days during peak season as Better Boy produces continuously. Harvest fruits with a small amount of green at the blossom end if desired - they'll continue ripening off the vine and often develop better flavor than vine-ripened fruits in hot weather.
Storage & Preservation
Store freshly harvested Better Boy tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight for 3-5 days for optimal flavor development. Refrigerate only fully ripe fruits you won't use within 2 days - cold temperatures below 55°F diminish flavor and create mealy texture.
For preservation, Better Boy's meaty texture and balanced acidity make them excellent for canning whole, as sauce, or paste. Blanch and peel before freezing in freezer bags for up to 8 months - frozen tomatoes work perfectly for cooked dishes. Slice and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes. The variety's low water content compared to other slicers makes it ideal for slow-roasting and concentrating flavors for preserves.
History & Origin
Better Boy was developed by Petoseed Company (now part of Seminis) in the 1960s as an improved hybrid combining the disease resistance of VF varieties with the superior flavor and size of traditional beefsteak types. The breeding program aimed to create a reliable, high-yielding tomato that could perform consistently across diverse growing conditions while maintaining excellent eating quality.
Introduced to home gardeners in the early 1970s, Better Boy quickly became one of America's most popular hybrid tomatoes due to its exceptional VFN disease resistance package - providing protection against Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, and root-knot nematodes that plagued many gardens. This disease resistance was revolutionary for home gardeners who previously struggled with soil-borne diseases.
The variety's name reflects its positioning as an improvement over existing hybrids of the era, delivering 'better' performance in yield, disease resistance, and fruit quality. Its consistent performance and beginner-friendly nature helped establish Better Boy as a gateway variety that introduced countless gardeners to tomato growing success.
Advantages
- +Exceptional VFN disease resistance protects against three major soil-borne problems
- +Consistent heavy yields of 8-12 ounce fruits throughout the growing season
- +Superior crack resistance compared to most large-fruited varieties
- +Reliable performance across diverse climate zones from 3-10
- +Balanced sweet-tart flavor appeals to most palates unlike some bland hybrids
- +Strong indeterminate vines continue producing until first frost
- +Excellent shelf life - fruits hold quality for 5-7 days after harvest
Considerations
- -Requires sturdy staking due to heavy fruit load on tall indeterminate vines
- -More expensive than open-pollinated varieties and seeds cannot be saved
- -Susceptible to blossom end rot if calcium uptake is disrupted by inconsistent watering
- -Vulnerable to late blight in humid conditions despite other disease resistances
- -Flavor, while good, doesn't match the complexity of premium heirloom varieties
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and whiteflies with natural compounds
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and benefits from tomato's partial shade
Borage
Attracts pollinators and may repel tomato hornworms
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, and Nematodes (VFN)
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, cutworms, aphids
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, bacterial spot