Tomatoes can be very vigorous with a lot of axial growth. This must be trimmed regularly in some crops as the plants can effectively choke each other and limit fruit growth. Because tomatoes are in the Nightshade family, they take nitrogen from the soil, and should not be replanted in the same soil without heavy application of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Many growers elect to rotate tomatoes with nitrogen-fixing crops such as legumes. Tomatoes are very susceptible to frost, one freeze and it is unlikely the plants will recover. Tomatoes need cross-fertilization, and in the absence of bees this can be an issue, solved either by mechanical shakers or on smaller properties gentle shaking by hand.

One of the biggest issues facing tomatoes and several other row fruits and vegetables is the use of plastic mulch. Long sheets of black plastic are stretched over the growing mounds and fastened down. At planting, holes are poked in the plastic at pre-set intervals and the transplants or seeds are installed. The mulch keeps the soil warm and controls weeds on the mounds. Unfortunately, at end of season vast quantities of non-recyclable plastic are rolled up and thrown away. While biodegradable covers exist now, they are not yet approved for use by growers.