Can You Grow Moneymaker Tomatoes Outside

Moneymaker plants are known for their high yield of bright red, flavorful tomatoes. A typical season can produce anywhere from 4 to 6 ounces of tomatoes, and vines can extend more than 6 feet above the soil. Like most tomatoes, they love the heat, leaving many to question how they will grow in the great outdoors. So, can you grow moneymaker tomatoes outside?

You can grow Moneymaker tomatoes outside. In fact, it’s recommended, as long as weather permits. Moneymaker tomatoes require lots of heat during the day and warm temperatures at night, making planting time one of the key things to consider. 

Below, we have more details on how you can grow moneymaker tomatoes outside, including the perfect conditions to help them produce their max yield.

How To Grow Moneymaker Tomatoes

Moneymaker tomatoes can get quite large, towering over 6 feet when exposed to optimal conditions. Not only do their branches and vines extend out long, but they also produce plump and juicy tomatoes.

These tomatoes are beautiful but heavy, sometimes to the point that branches cannot handle the weight. Apart from providing moneymaker tomato plants with optimal growth conditions, growers should also consider their setup.

Moneymaker tomatoes need some support as tomatoes start to grow, helping branches hold on to them until they’re at peak picking time.

How Long Do Moneymaker Tomatoes Take To Grow?

Tomato plants tend to germinate fast, sprouting up just 8 to 10 days after sowing the seeds. Once they start to sprout, there is no stopping them, with several stages of growth happening from seedling to producing whole, ripe tomatoes.

Vines will stretch and grow to their peak in about 60 days after germination, after which tomatoes will start to appear. Most of the time, tomatoes are good for picking around 70 to 80 days after sowing, though it just depends on each tomato.

When deciding whether to pick your tomato, consider:

• Time – Try not to pick too early
• Plumpness – You want them to give a bit when you squeeze but not be too soft
• Color – Most tomatoes ready to pick have a bright, red color. Avoid green or yellow colors
• Texture – Pick tomatoes with no blemishes and uniform color.

Can You Grow Indoor Tomatoes Outside?

Some growers start growing their tomatoes indoors, moving them outside once they are strong enough. Others will only grow outdoors, waiting for the perfect season to plant.

While both are fine, deciding which one is more effective depends on the type of climate where growing. For instance, some areas have very mild springs and go straight to summer heat almost overnight. Others have a slower warm-up over a few months.

The critical thing to watch out for is a dip in temperature, as a random freeze could kill tomato plants. If you’re unsure if that could happen before summer begins, you could start your moneymaker plants indoors and put them outside once they grow and the weather warms.

How To Grow Moneymaker Tomatoes Outdoors?

Tomatoes are a great thing to have year-round. With a moneymaker plant, you could produce enough for the entire year in just a few months, though you must be careful with the conditions. When you’re ready to grow your moneymaker tomato plants outdoors, here’s what you need to consider.

When To Plant your Tomatoes

The weather is doing some funny things all across the globe, making it harder to predict what it will do. Instead of calculating based on years past, check for weather updates, observe weather patterns during the day and the night, and keep an eye out on other plants to see what they are doing.

Tomatoes thrive in warm weather and need a temperature of at least 55oF during the day and 45oF during the night. Don’t start too early in the spring, even if you think the weather will heat up. There is always one last unexpected freeze that you’ll need to be cautious of.

Sun Exposure

Tomatoes don’t just love heat; they also love direct exposure to the sun. Their ideal day is spent sunbathing for up to 10 hours, making the placement of your tomato plants important.

Go for an area facing North, so they get sun most of the day. Also, when choosing a location, go for one that isn’t too close to other plants. Moneymaker tomato plants can grow tall, and vines extend far beyond their base. Make sure it doesn’t shade other plants and cause them to lack the sunlight they need to grow.

Soil

The type of soil that each plant prefers is different. Tomatoes love dirt to be loosened up for increased water flow and filled with nutrients. Go for slightly acidic soils, not going under 5.8.

Tomatoes don’t just like loosened soil, but they also love plenty of space to root and grow. If planting in the ground, make sure they have enough space and aren’t too crowded by other plants. If you choose to plant them in a pot, give them at least 16” of soil to extend their roots.

Spacing

Tomatoes grow tall and extend their vines outward. They aren’t just rising above the ground, but also below, with roots that burrow deep to get ahold of all the nutrients they need.

Since tomato plants take up so much space, it is essential to leave adequate room between each plant. Leave at least 18” in between each plant to avoid overcrowding. Apart from growing into each other’s space, planting tomato plants too close together could also result in the passing of disease or pests.

When you notice one plant not doing so well, the spacing could allow you to save others if something is going on. If they’re too close together, they will get infected quickly and could wither or die if not treated quickly.

Outdoor Tomato Care

Once tomatoes are planted outdoors, they need lots of care to grow their best. That includes:

• Watering – Once, every other day. Water heavy to get the deep roots.
• Mulching – Keep roots warm with additions like wood chips or pebbles.
• Pruning – Be sure to cut off any low hanging vines that aren’t producing and clip suckers (new shoots)
• Fertilizing – Fertilize when planting and regularly while plants are growing.

To Wrap Up

The name fits moneymaker tomatoes, as one plant can produce many juicy, plump tomatoes. For best results, sow them indoors where you can control the temperature, and then plant them outdoors so they can have access to all the nutrients they need. Be sure to consider when and where to plant them, giving them optimal conditions for max yield.