Tomatoes don’t start red—they usually begin as tiny green balls before slowly turning yellow, orange, and finally that classic tomato red. Bees are the real MVPs in a tomato garden. They help shake the flowers just right so the tomatoes can form. Tomato plants love sunbathing. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun a day to grow happy and juicy.

Some people play music for their tomato plants, believing the vibrations help them grow better. If you’ve seen pictures of tomatoes growing upside down, that’s not a trick—it’s a real gardening method that saves space and reduces pests. The fuzzy hairs on tomato stems aren’t just cute—they help protect the plant and can even turn into roots if buried.

Tomato plants can grow more than 10 feet tall if they’re indeterminate types and given proper support. Rain can split tomatoes open if they soak up water too fast after a dry spell. Those cages you see in pictures of tomatoes growing? They're not just for looks—they keep heavy vines from collapsing.

Tomatoes come from South America and were once thought to be poisonous in Europe. Want sweeter tomatoes? Cut back on watering just a little when they start ripening. Tomato leaves have a strong smell that some pests can’t stand—it’s nature’s own bug spray.

Some tomato plants are so productive, you can harvest dozens of fruits from just one vine. The biggest tomato ever grown weighed over 10 pounds—imagine seeing that in pictures of tomatoes growing! Heirloom tomatoes aren’t just pretty—they’ve been passed down for generations, often with amazing stories behind them.

Tomatoes don’t need bees to pollinate—they can fertilize themselves with a bit of breeze or a gentle shake. Green tomatoes aren’t unripe by accident—some varieties stay green even when fully mature. Ever see a tomato growing on a windowsill? With the right container and sunlight, it totally works indoors.

Some gardeners prune their tomato plants to direct more energy into fewer, larger fruits. That “tomato smell” comes from compounds in the leaves, not the fruit itself. Pictures of tomatoes growing can be super colorful—some varieties ripen in shades of purple, black, or even white.

Tomatoes are technically berries, even though most people think of them as vegetables. You can grow tomatoes from slices—just bury one in soil and wait. Sunscald can affect tomatoes left in harsh sunlight, causing pale patches on the skin.

Tomatoes and potatoes are cousins in the nightshade family, but they grow very differently. Hydroponic tomatoes grow without soil and often look incredibly clean in pictures of tomatoes growing. Some tomato plants naturally repel mosquitoes, making them a garden favorite for many.

It takes about 60 to 85 days for most tomatoes to go from seed to ripe fruit. Tomato flowers are yellow and star-shaped—a sign your fruit is on the way. Mulching under tomato plants keeps the soil moist and helps prevent disease.

Tomatoes have tiny hairs on their stems that can sprout roots if they touch soil—perfect for cloning new plants. A single tomato seed can grow into a plant that produces over 100 tomatoes. Pictures of tomatoes growing often feature drip irrigation—it keeps the leaves dry and disease-free.

Tomato vines can be trained like grapevines using trellises and string. The name "tomato" comes from the Nahuatl word “tomatl.” If your tomato tastes watery, it might be from overwatering close to harvest.

Determinate tomatoes grow all their fruit at once, while indeterminate varieties keep going all season. There are tomato types bred just for containers, perfect for balconies or small gardens. Sungold tomatoes are super sweet and usually golden-orange—a favorite among home growers.

Tomato skins can crack from too much water at once—consistent watering helps prevent that. Some gardeners hand-pollinate tomato flowers with a toothbrush to boost yields. Pictures of tomatoes growing in greenhouses often show massive vines supported by ropes from the ceiling.

Tomatoes love warmth. They stop growing if temperatures dip below 50°F. Blossom end rot looks scary but is usually from calcium imbalance, not disease. Some rare varieties like the “Blue Beauty” have anthocyanins, giving them a bluish hue.

Companion plants like basil or marigolds can help protect tomato plants from pests. Tomatoes don’t like wet feet—good drainage is a must. Grafting tomato plants can produce stronger roots and better fruit.

You can freeze whole tomatoes for later use—no blanching needed. In space, astronauts have grown tomatoes on the International Space Station. Pictures of tomatoes growing in vertical gardens look futuristic, but the method’s ancient.

Crushed eggshells around tomato plants can deter slugs and add calcium to the soil. Too much nitrogen makes big leaves but fewer fruits—balance is key. Some tomatoes can survive light frost, but most will die if temperatures drop too far.

Suckers are side shoots between branches—you can pinch them off or grow new plants from them. Tomato hornworms blend in perfectly with the leaves, making them hard to spot. Cherry tomatoes are the sprinters of the tomato world—fast-growing and super productive.

Some wild tomato species can tolerate salty soils, hinting at future climate-smart crops. Rain or overhead watering can spread soil-borne diseases by splashing on the leaves. Pictures of tomatoes growing often include bright red fruits—but the true rainbow of tomato colors is worth exploring.