It’s a signature summer produce, but as temperatures get warmer and salad and barbecue season approaches, tomatoes seem to be disappearing. Besides being hard to find, tomatoes are more expensive than usual. At the end of March 2026, the average price per pound reached $2.26 US Bureau of Labor Statistics. A combination of factors, including cold snaps in Florida and Mexico, high fuel prices and increased tariffs, has created a perfect storm for shortages and price increases.
Of course, as the weather warms, there’s one thing even savvy and novice gardeners can do to fight back — Grows own tomatoes. It is generally safe to plant tomatoes any time after Mother’s Day. That means it’s too late in the season to start tomatoes from seed. However, it’s not too late to get your hands on some seedlings and plant them in the ground or, if space is limited, in containers.
How to grow your own tomatoes
To get your hands on some ripe, homegrown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) as soon as possible, choose the right variety. True to its name, Bush Early Girl produces a crop of tomatoes in just 54 days. A Determine the tomato plant varietyIt bears fruit all at once rather than over the entire growing season. Its bushy shape and compact size also make it a good choice if you’re growing tomatoes in containers. As a bonus, it is also disease-resistant.
Another early ripening option is Sungold, which produces yellow cherry-sized tomatoes in about 60 days. An indeterminate variety, it will continue to produce throughout the season. If you only have room for one or two containers to grow your tomatoes in, choose a compact or dwarf variety. Celebrity, Patio Princess, and Little Sun Yellow (a cherry tomato) are excellent choices for growing in containers.
Once you’ve chosen your varieties, choose your location. Your tomatoes will need at least six hours of sunlight each day. Also, don’t rush to set them out. Wait until the risk of frost is completely gone and nighttime temperatures stay above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is too cold, the flowers will drop, reducing the yield of the plant. After planting, water them whenever the top two inches of soil dries out.
