Soil

• The soil is a very important condition to monitor, as the pH of the soil as well as its nutrient content can greatly impact the overall health of your plant. You can check the pH of the soil with a home testing kit, which can be purchased at a gardening/home improvement store. The best soil will have a pH between 5 and 7. In addition to the pH level, you want soil that is mostly dry and will retain water well. Once you find a suitable soil space, make sure to till it thoroughly and add 2 to 3 inches of compost to the top before planting your tomato plant. If you are in an extremely hot area (temperatures that reach above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer) you should mulch around the base of the plant to help with water retention.
  
  

Sunlight

• Tomatoes are fast-growing plants, and as such need as much sunlight as possible. Plant your tomatoes in full sun, where there is little to no shade, and the plants will receive consistent sunlight throughout the day. Certain varieties of heirloom tomatoes are sensitive to heat (not sunlight) and you may need to protect the plant with a tarp or semi-transparent covering to keep heat out but let sunlight pass through.
  
  

When to Plant

• Since tomatoes enjoy warm, arid climates, it is good to plant seedlings six weeks after the last front in the springtime, and starters four weeks after that. As the weather warms, your plants will thrive, and the first crop should arrive with the summer sun. The last crop should arrive at the beginning of the fall.
  
  

Watering

• Tomato plants are very hardy and do not need to be watered more than three to four times a week. The best time to water the plant is in the morning, when water retention in the soil is highest. Water the plant until the soil is moist but not saturated. If you have used mulch to help with water retention, test the soil with your finger up to two inches below the mulch to make sure the soil is moist down to the roots.