Provo IFA Country Store

July heat is here, and your tomato plants are feeling it! ☀️🍅

If you want those heavy, juicy, prize-winning tomatoes later this summer, right now is the critical time to give them some extra love. July in the Intermountain West brings high temperatures that can stress your plants, but with a few simple adjustments, you can keep them thriving.

Our Top July Tomato Tips:

🍅Water Deeply, Not Daily: Inconsistent watering is the #1 cause of Blossom End Rot (where the bottoms of your tomatoes turn black and leathery). Instead of light daily sprinkles, water deeply at the base of the plant 2–3 times a week to encourage deep root growth.

🍅Add a Layer of Mulch: Help your soil retain that precious moisture! Toss a 2-inch layer of straw or bark mulch around the base of your plants to keep the roots cool and prevent evaporation.

🍅Beat Blossom End Rot with Calcium: If your plants are still struggling to absorb calcium in the heat, stop by your local IFA for a quick bottle of Yield Booster or some gypsum to give them the nutrient recharge they need.

Stop by your local IFA Country Store to grab your mid-summer garden supplies, and read our full guide for growing big tomatoes>>

How to Grow Big Tomatoes | IFA's Helping to Grow Blog Growing the biggest tomatoes starts with nutrient-rich soil and high-performance tomato fertilizer.

Happy 4th of July! Today, we're celebrating the birth of our nation, the blessing of freedom and the hardworking spirit that builds our communities every single day. We wish you a safe and happy Independence Day.