How to Grow GIANT 2+ Pound Tomatoes in 6 Easy Steps (organically)

Giant tomatoes are something we all love. They are juicy, flavor packed, and larger than life. They are the topic of discussion and the king of the garden. In this episode I will share with you the 6 steps to follow to growing 2 pound tomatoes. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

[@amandaandhollandlove4172]

When I cut off the sucker's, I root them in a small pot then transplant them into my garden. Who doesn't love free tomato plants?!?!

[@afterburner3999]

Thats exactly what i was thinkin of b4 i looked at the comments if that was possible here comes more reserch.

[@nutequest]

Yeah I do that as well.

[@SheepAmongG.O.A.T]

I keep the suckers on especially if its determinant.

[@yaima0901]

@@SheepAmongG.O.A.T you cut determinate suckers?

[@SheepAmongG.O.A.T]

@@yaima0901 No I don't. If it's determinate every one of those suckers is more fruit.

[@XxPANCOTTOxX]

Got a 1 lb 11 ounce cherokee purple my first time gardening this year!

[@Jaclynantes1]

That is awesome good on you! Cherokee is my favorite variety im glad you were able to get such a yield.

[@XxPANCOTTOxX]

@@Jaclynantes1 thanks! It was nerve racking leaving it on the vine so long to really ripen, hoping the birds left it alone. Got lucky with just a few rain cracks.

[@amandaandhollandlove4172]

Mine tend to be pretty huge also! One of my favorites.

[@SuperKyle309]

Cherokee purple is the best eating tomato 😋

[@amberswartz3876]

I am trying them for the first time this year! I haven't done well with any of my big tomato types. I'm encouraged to see your comment!

[@ThesmartestTem]

*sets out to grow a 2 lb cherry tomato*😜

[@danakarloz5845]

😂

[@Georgiaonmymind862]

Good luck!

[@danakarloz5845]

Granny Joan I found a rabbit in my garden and I also found my tiny green tomato had vanished 😂🙈

[@valeriesanchez3074]

😆

[@turnipgreen6280]

I bet you could cross a cherry tomat with a big body variety and get huge symmetrically round tomato. How cute would that be 😂

[@barbt.1171]

The record "Delicious variety" tomato was 7+ pounds. I personally grew 2 tomatoes one summer that were over 2 lbs. Took them to the grocery store to use their scales. The largest one was a little oval that when sliced thick then cut in half, provided full coverage for Mom's sandwich and mine. It lived up to its name - DELICIOUS!

[@surfbug1]

Beefsteak gold medal brandywine delicious tomatoes...prune for single stem...water frequently and let water sit out 24hrs...too much leads to cracking....fertilizing with trifecta and top dressing....and wait!

[@pheresy1367]

He starts telling you "how" at 2:42

[@andreawimer4334]

Lol.thanks

[@carolnies8668]

Thank you. he does ramble to much. That's why I like California Garden TV. He is short, sweet and to the point with great information.

[@blair3264]

@@guyincognito5706 it is annoying if they ramble for half an hour, the title of this video provides enough context

[@blair3264]

@@guyincognito5706 subconscious poopey

[@chanamoriel8696]

This year I managed to get four tomatoes that were 2 lb +. I was thrilled. Their variety was the Cherokee Purple. Soooo goood!! My preferred watering method is with homemade ollas that are all interconnected by rubber water line. I have mine hooked to our hose, so I only need to turn it on and job done. With this method, you get much less splits in your tomatoes, caused by the typical drought rain cycles. I also use trifecta +. Fantastic fertilizer!

[@rekster11]

I’m growing Cherokee Purple this summer. I’ll be using ollas too!

[@kellyc2425]

Luke, I grew a 2 lb 2 oz Big Beef. All thanks to Trifecta Plus, and your videos!! 👍🏻👍🏻😁

[@MIgardener]

Big beef is a giant producer

[@kellyc2425]

@@MIgardener yes sir. But I'm not a fan of the flavor or texture. You're world's best fertilizer, (Trifecta+) has made my Cherokee Purples, Abe Lincolns, Genovese Costolutos, and Romas HUGE and absolutely DELICIOUS!! I can't ever thank you enough!! I've gotta be your biggest fan, and my wife is #2... She thinks Sindy should have a channel. Lol

[@dptechreviews6849]

Hey I got two plants the other day do they grow tall I need to stake my tomatoes

[@MyTNMtnHome]

I’m going to have to change my handle. This happens often.

[@milissaleatherwood6837]

So many people say to water tomatoes less. I live in Washington state. No chance of watering less during early summer and when we do go through dry spells I can't help but water because I'm so use to everything being wet 😂 my tomatoes are always huge. Now I know, watering is why. Thanks for giving me something to tell people when they ask how 😁

[@taniahummelgard2290]

You are such a ray of sunshine! Sipping my morning espresso watching this video before I set out to plant a few early spring crops this morning puts me in a good mood! 😁

[@kurtsimmons1587]

I’ve been following you for quite a while now. Just the smile on your face says it all. Hopefully next year I’ll be that lucky after watching this!

[@ronnafuller2094]

Sweet young man. My first time at growing anything. I'm a late bloomer. No clue what I'm doing, but I'll remember what you said. Thank you

[@earacheselbowsenoch6251]

Keep searching... Amazing vids out there.

[@susanwright3696]

Heck, at this point I'd be happy if my tomatoes would do anything...ha

[@amyfrench8678]

This was my thought. My first year growing and I would be thrilled to get an 8oz tomato at this point lol. At least I have a long growing season so I'm going to start a couple different varieties and use the info I've learned to get better results. Don't give up...just keep trying. :-)

[@DustyNonya]

Were you pruning it and staking it like this? I've never had much luck (at least in terms of yield) with the single stem method and I've found that most of the new/newer gardeners I help out are notorious for loving their plants to death with over pruning, over fertilization, over watering and other such mistakes. The advice I usually give people who have troubles with X plant is to get a few varieties and just let them grow free while you observe. Some strains are unsuited to various climates (Brandywines are notorious for having both a very poor yield and absolutely no resistance to blight or wilt of any kind), whereas others will thrive.

[@amyfrench8678]

@@DustyNonya Thanks for this great advice. My first instinct was to let them grow naturally first but I did use the single stem method. My first batch was from store bought starts and I'm hoping my Dr. Wyches and Cherokee Purple will fair better from seed.

[@DustyNonya]

@@amyfrench8678 Cherokee Purple is a pretty fantastic tomato. I don't grow them anymore as I've become a little too attached to my Stripey phenotype I strained out over a decade but they're right up there with Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine in terms of a good heirloom flavor. Not the same, mind you, but they're fabulous. I haven't tried Dr. Wyches so I'm not up to date on any resistance they have to various sicknesses but sweet, yellow (or marbled/mottled red/yellow) varieties are a big thing in the South/Midwest. The only pruning I'd suggest would be any leaves too close to the soil as splashup can lead to verticulum and fusarium. Luckily mine built up a pretty good resistance to them both and I haven't seen it in roughly 3 years.

[@daveb2256]

I did old german heirloom 3 years ago and had half a dozen that were close to 2 pounds but just came short. I didn’t prune at all and had a crazy operation of Shepard’s hooks, bungie cords, zip ties and cheap metal fencing from Lowes. Made some of the best salsa on the planet that year!

[@KeikoBushnell]

Omg I miss that!! My mom used to grow those giant ones in her garden. They are sooooo good especially just straight from the garden. Yummmm

[@heidimarchant5438]

You get cracking when you wait too long between watering times and then over water and not just because you water too much, this is an important factor.

[@camis.1347]

Cracking means overwatering. Wrinkles mean underwatering.

[@harrisonvogel8464]

First time growing tomatoes myself, although grew up with a master gardener for a mother. 3 separate 2# tomatoes so far this year from 6 bulgarian pink beefsteak tomato plants, one of which was #2 7oz, and ill likely have at least one more

[@MichElle-zc9tu]

Thank you very much and I will try that method for sure. Nice to see men like you with neat hair, tattoo free and with that wedding band.

[@user-nv9zo5bh3u]

와~~~~~~Big Tomatoes ......♥대단해요 화이팅입니다 선물🎁 드립니다 건강하고 행복하세요 ♥

[@northstarprepsteader]

I've been getting a lot around 20-oz, which are the biggest I've ever grown. I've also incorporated a number of your tips this year :). Thanks for all your teaching!

[@therealz360z7]

Domingo holds the record at over ten lbs.

[@waltobringer2928]

I've learned from you today and I appreciate it. Thank you.

[@sarahreinhardt1414]

Thanks for the great video!!! I may have overlooked this video, but I was hoping for some tips and tricks for growing brassicas. I love brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage and would love some pointers!

[@zMagnoliaz]

Sarah Reinhardt Thank you for your comment as I also would love to see a video on brassicas

[@sarahreinhardt1414]

I just found your videos from a couple years back! I don't know why I couldn't find them before, but I am so excites to have my new found knowledge! Thanks @migardener!

[@haydenbrayton]

I’ve got a giant bloom on one of my delicious’, I’m so excited!

[@steverick5281]

You are so informative, I love your videos. You've helped me learn SO much over the last few years since I started gardening. Thanks man.

[@paulsha8137]

Your tomato is beautiful. When my fruit is that heavy, the branch breaks. How do you support the fruit?

[@turnipgreen6280]

Branch support! You can use trellises, or even tomato stands. I like to build little wings on my cages so the tomato can sit on them. But I grow the big zac variety and they run 4+lbs

[@77bubba00]

Awesome! I just picked two 20 oz Big Beefs. One slice for a big slice of Italian bread. :)

[@agentcarranzo]

I started my backyard and frontyard garden one month ago. You inspired me to be a gardener

[@danakarloz5845]

My grandpa used to grow them that big! I used to get them confused with the apples that he’d bring us 🤓

[@stophatin9491]

I growing a tradition beefsteak tom that when I transplanted I gave it Alfalfa pellets, Marine, cuisne by Fox Farm, azomite, fresh castings, frass, and epsom salt. It’s a 10-7-7 it’s grow so healthy and started to get my first set toms I gave it dr earth Tom fertilizer a 4-6-3 with more castings to help break it down . Getting full cluster of fruit all healthy. Now I will just water and compost teas

[@bathshuaeshetbnayahu2687]

I'm growing a variety called Coustralee--which is a French heirloom that has been said to get up to three pounds. I haven't hit that threshold yet, but I am certainly trying! The Mortgage Lifter can get quite large as well. It was said that the creator of the Mortgage Lifter (CM Byles aka "Radiator Charlie") wanted to create a tomato that was big enough to feed a family. It was said that one Mortgage Lifter tomato got up to 3-4 pounds.

[@08Blacksky]

I have grown many 2 lb tomatoes my largest was 2lbs 6oz...I use Polish Heirlooms and fertilize with Tomato Tone....always a success

[@okieking8503]

I got my first couple over a pound for the first time. And they didn't crack!!!! Thats the kicker. Thanks MIG!

[@Candylandavenue1]

I entered the tomato grow off challenge with Gary & Cali Kim & Jess....I grew a red Beefsteak tomato....only to find out that someone must have switched the tomato plant at the nursery & as my luck would have it, I was growing an indeterminate cherry tomato! 🤦‍♀️ I could have had big tomatoes like this....my other plants had big tomatoes. Definetly seed starting all of my tomatoes next year! 🤣

[@hueq.3676]

I’m sending this video to one of my friends 👱🏻‍♂️ who has mostly tomatoes 🍅 in his garden 🤩 Thx u Luke!

[@gardencat4952]

My favorite large tomato is an Upstate Oxheart Tomato. It is from New York and a little hard to find. It is one of the few large tomatoes I have found that does well for me here in Northern New England. It easily produces fruits over a pound and my largest tomato 3 pounds 1.9 ounces.

[@asliceofheavenhomestead3559]

Great info Luke! I can't wait to grow big tomatoes again. I've never grown a huge tomato before, so I'll definitely use your tips in the future!

[@CustomGardenSolutions]

I've grown 2 lb tomatoes before but not all at once like you have. That is pretty impressive. 😎😎😎

[@jceven1981]

The squirrels get mine sometimes before they are even barely ripe, let alone half that size. Do you have squirrels there that go after the tomato’s? If so what do you do about them?

[@olive4naito]

Does using chlorine free water make a significant difference?

[@warblie2698]

Very simple to do. Purple Cherokee. Good compost, some dead fish, blood and bone meal, ground egg shells and even watering. Bammo. 2+lb tomatoes. I grow many every year off of just a few plants. Kellogg Breakfast grow very large as well. Keep up the good work

[@jamesb4184]

I like growing my seedlings big Zack mortgag lifters giant green 2 foot tall before I put them in the ground and put them in the ground 18 inches deep with calcium nitrate powder with potting soil and a little epsom salt and Iv grown two pound tomatoes for 10 years but I have a deferent way this year I will grow a 3 plus tomato this year

[@tiffanythompson2026]

How do you keep the tomatoes from tasting watered down? I've been watering less in fear they'll taste bland.

[@brandonkrause6401]

get good seeds firstly. preferable taste test winners or just tomatoes known for good taste. then use any organic matter available as mulch and fertilize with good organic fertilizers.

[@JasonOfTGA]

Great timing for Australians about to enter spring in a couple of weeks :)

[@marshabalderrama8903]

Thanks Luke, this is the second time I watched this video. How do you keep the birds of of your tomatoes. I have to pick mine before they turn red because the minute they get red the darn birds pick at my fruit 🤨

[@Watchoutforsnakez]

If I prune my tomatoes will I be able to plant them closer together as well? I have a very small garden and bushy tomatoes take up a LOT of space.

[@dbingamon]

I did a hanging upside-down tomato once. The wire it hung from was connected to the house gutter and that kept it water. It got so much water that the fruit split open from the pressure.

[@KeikoBushnell]

Cherry tomato GOALS!! 🙌🏻

[@hollynelson543]

I heard there are 2 types of tomato plants and one type you don't pinch off. Help I'm too confused with all the different gardeners ideas. I'm Michigan too. Which do I pinch! Thank you

[@jovanbergh33]

holly nelson Determinate varieties you do not pinch off, it generally states on the seed packet or tag.

[@jelatinosa]

Determinate and indeterminate.

[@dgalinko]

Anyone grow German pink tomatoes? Didn't weigh but got a couple monsters this year

[@earlineholland6877]

Thanks!! Will implement this season!!

[@InAweOfAnimals]

What is a good tomato to grow for using in tomato sauce canning? I've heard Roma tomatoes are the way to go because of their low water content.

[@therealz360z7]

Or an Amish paste.

[@therealz360z7]

Olpaka really any of the plum types the only canner that isn't that I can think of is the Italian heirloom

[@angelaslatzer9263]

San Marzano’s are amazing for canning sauces. Flavor is out of this world! I always get compliments with my salsas and sauce made with San Marzanos. 🤤 I’m going to plant them this year (2023) as a fall crop.

[@Steph-op8nd]

Great info!! Thanks for sharing ♥

[@badaisnyfounet4ever762]

Congrats! Those tomatos are beauties, I can watch tomatos videos 24/24

[@spicewitch3584]

Not dissing or anything you are kinda cute, But if you put on a red and white striped shirt you would look like waldo from the where's waldo books. Thank you for your helpful gardening tips!

[@waltobringer2928]

Thank you!

[@jamesh.dickens7682]

This man is the Jeff Cavalier of gardening

[@CH4madness]

After watching this video I finally realized why I keep on producing 1# 15 oz tomatoes...I've only been planting Cherry Tomatoes.

[@roybridwell421]

much much better !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you got my vote

[@krissy82461]

It’s the first week of September and my tomato’s still refuse to ripen. I live in zone 5/6 (Michigan) and my tomatoes are in full sun till about 4 pm. Ground was prepped and fertilized. I can’t figure it out. Suggestions???

[@montanaliving4769]

Temps need to be below 80 if that helps. Shade them if needed

[@erikanthes954]

The Blippi of gardening right here.

[@deborahdurden2183]

I like your videos because I too live in Michigan (near Chelsea in Western Washtenaw County). Videos for North Carolina or the Pacific northwest don't have the same conditions I have. Anyway, I'm growing Brandywine, Rutgers and San Marzano tomatoes. The Brandywine are the largest, but not quite 2 lbs. (19 and 20 oz). Anyway, I was always told to pick tomatoes before a rain. That the rain dilutes the flavor. A storm in coming in right now, so I went and picked a lot of tomatoes.

[@mikocargaming6532]

inch distancing, and now it’s been 15 days since we have transplanted the tomato to field beds, can I now plant 3 garlics in between each tomato plant and along with it can I prepare Basil flat bed to plant it later with garlic in octagonal design spacing of 12 inches and along with garlic planting can 2 plants of marigold be planted on the side borders in between tomato gaps ?

[@KeikoBushnell]

Have you ever successfully grown a sucker? I heard you couldn’t I just planted one that I don’t think it’s gonna grow if so how did it production compare?

[@liseoikle2484]

I grew a 3 lb ox-heart and my dad grew a 4 lb plants were over 10 feet.

[@barnburner2475]

Great video Like Thank you!

[@juliekooiker3408]

Good info! Thanks for the videos!

[@yes350yes]

Watering tomatoes can be an issue, over watering and you will get cracking/splitting,,, so it is a delicate dividing line ,, mainly referring to beefsteak tomato growing.

[@stephensnowdon3178]

Did everything to help my crop have 23 tommatoe plants and now here in UK mid Aug had 7 tommatoe lovely bunches pruned and well fed but we've had no sun

[@JohnDoe_88]

I pretty much grew all large variety tomatoes which means lots of canned sauce this year

[@anjanean]

@John Doe what are you best variety name brands are the best for canning?? Thank you

[@anjanean]

@John Doe what are you best variety name brands are the best for canning?? Thank you

[@anjanean]

@John Doe what are you best variety name brands are the best for canning?? Thank you

[@paulhadfield7909]

im growing 'super mama' tomatoes righ tnow and they are already 1 lb, but im wondering if i should only grow one tom per truss, or leave them all on

[@2006marsha]

Hi Luke. How do you keep the birds from poking your tomatoes. We get very hot here and when it’s hot my tomatoes won’t flower till the temps cool down. We hit 75 degrees by March 😢

[@whitebread940]

Great tips for this newbie

[@Clintscollectiblez]

One question I have is if some ripened but are small should I just pick them now? Or will they grow more

[@porkchop7315]

Domingo variety will grow the biggest tomatoes ..

[@ekholmfamily141]

I also removed the suckers in my tomato plants. In this way avoid any plant disease and do much easier to manage the plants.

[@gabbysgoods827]

WOW 😳!!! I want to grow those kind of tomato’s 🍅!!! 2 lb tomatoes 🍅!!! That would be so awesome 👏!!!! Yay 😀

[@richardlaird2641]

I am hooked on your videos and I just can't help it. I love my garden. Well anyway a few years ago I raised some golf ball sized cherry tomatoes that were wonderful. I wish I could find them again and I wonder if you might have some idea what they were. Thanks and keep on doing what you're doing.

[@tmwhtly3982]

Tomatoes are my unicorn of gardening. I have jot been very successful so far but love tomatoes! I will give your tips a try next Spring. Thanks Luke! BTW what do you have planted in the PVC on the fence?

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

That is a very nice garden!

[@sethkomagum1849]

👍nice information.

[@fortawesome1974]

Should try growing Ox Heart Tomato's!!

[@MimsysGarden]

Thanks as always Luke! Love your vids!

[@bryantpalmer8455]

4th year gardening and I had a friend share some seeds with me broke all my records with 2 pounds 7 ounces

[@sacredcowbbq1326]

What kind of seeds were you gifted?

[@anonthehousemouse]

In 2020 the "largest tomato" record was broken. Weighed 10 lbs 12.7 oz. Variety was "Domingo".

[@kaylynn3583]

I ordered his Mr Stripey and got a 1.5 pd it just happened I used Tomato heirloom food, and fish fertilizer. but unfortunately it only grew that one, then the FL heat hit my area. 😑

[@timclark7507]

I have several amana orange in the 2 lb range. Thank you trifecta.

[@AatosStarfire]

Great video! Going out now at 3am to put wood ash on my determinates and cut off suckers by flashlight #inspired

[@brandonkrause6401]

Get some carbon tomato seeds from rareseeds. They are a taste test winner and produce massive fruit.. Easy variety to grow as well.

[@tammyhanson7843]

In regards to watering, I worry about the tomatoes splitting 🦋💜

[@kmaynor16]

Thank you! Appreciate all the tomato tips. And I like the new glasses!

[@GraftingTactick]

Great video, thanks for sharing, New subbed here friend 👌

[@turtleman5111]

I bought Beefsteak seeds this yr. They are growing, but my neighbor’s garden is right next to mine. She has smaller red+yellow types. Do you think that her’s cross-pollinated with mine, making mine smaller?

[@faithhumberd23]

What is that tube looking thing on the left, 3 hanging from the fence?

[@wakeupcall8188]

Nice job mate Question Do you know if it's to have yellow patches on top of tomato You have a little ones but my beefsteak has it all around, maybe an inch in diameter Thanks

[@jhebertdelacruz5437]

So cool!! I will try, but what tomato variety are those?

[@ryanlillie5419]

I Got a 2.2 pound hillbilly tomato this year. Looking forward to more with single stemming next year this year it's a big mess of jumbled tomato vines in raised beds.

[@DustyNonya]

HIllbilly and Mr. Stripey are both pretty popular in the South/Midwest.

[@ryanlillie5419]

@@DustyNonya I'm in Minnesota upper midwest

[@DustyNonya]

@@ryanlillie5419 Rock on :D. I'm in the Ohio Valley.

[@TracyR4]

No, 2lb tomatoes here, but I do have a big Purple Cherokee growing. I'll admit though that I haven't been shooting for big this year but to just actually grow tomatoes and get them ripe before the season is over.

[@pranitalakeram9443]

Hi Luke ,I follow your video a few of the tomato I grew were 11/2 lbs but also follow with your watering suggestion. Mine still split before they're ripped. I'm skeptical about leaving them to get color and gain wt because afraid they'll split. I'm water regularly, avg temp this season in Connecticut 90. What I'm still not doing. Nutrients and water are there . I also have my water sit out to rid chlorine.

[@karenclement7903]

Where did you get your Tiffen Mennonite seeds?