You’re probably at a loss now that tomato season is gone. Don’t worry, a lot of people don’t know what to do either after harvesting these juicy fruits – yes, tomatoes are fruits!
So if you’ve been wondering what the best plants to grow after your tomatoes are done, then look no further than this roundup!
Lettuce
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Partial Shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular |
| Ideal Temperature | 45 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide some shade during hot summer months to prevent bolting. Regularly harvest outer leaves to promote continuous growth. |
Lettuce is a quick-growing crop, allowing you to harvest it relatively soon after planting. Lettuce has shallow roots, which means it won’t compete heavily with tomatoes for nutrients and water.
Lettuce is not in the same plant family as tomatoes, so it is less susceptible to the pests and diseases that may have affected the tomatoes.
Spinach
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Partial to Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Regular and Even |
| Ideal Temperature | 50 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Keep soil consistently moist to prevent bolting. Harvest outer leaves regularly for continuous growth. Protect from extreme heat and frost. |
Spinach is a highly nutritious leafy green, rich in vitamins and minerals. Spinach can tolerate some shade, so if your tomato plants created a bit of shade in the garden, spinach will still thrive.
Spinach is not closely related to tomatoes, so it is less likely to attract the same pests and diseases.
Kale
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Ideal Watering | Evenly moist soil, not soggy |
| Ideal Temperature | Cool to mild, 60 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to high humidity |
| General Care Instructions | Provide consistent moisture to prevent wilting. Regularly harvest outer leaves to encourage new growth. Protect from extreme heat or frost. |
Kale is known for its resilience and ability to withstand various weather conditions. Kale is packed with nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your garden.
Kale’s strong and sturdy leaves make it less attractive to many common garden pests, which might have been present when growing tomatoes.
Swiss Chard
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular and Even |
| Ideal Temperature | 50 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to High |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Harvest outer leaves regularly for continuous growth. |
Swiss chard comes in different colorful varieties, adding visual interest to your garden. Swiss chard is a cut-and-come-again crop, allowing you to harvest the outer leaves and encourage new growth.
As with the other leafy greens, Swiss chard is not in the same plant family as tomatoes, reducing the risk of shared pests and diseases.
Peas
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular, even moisture |
| Ideal Temperature | Cool to mild, 55 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to low |
| General Care Instructions | Provide support for climbing, mulch to retain moisture, and harvest regularly for prolonged yields. |
Peas belong to the legume family, just like beans, peanuts, clover, and alfalfa. Legumes have the unique ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil with the help of symbiotic bacteria in their root nodules.
This nitrogen fixation process enriches the soil with nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Since tomatoes are heavy feeders that require a lot of nitrogen, planting peas afterward helps replenish the soil’s nitrogen content, preparing it for the next crop.
Beans
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate, consistent |
| Ideal Temperature | 65 to 85°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Provide support for climbing varieties. Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. |
Similar to peas, beans also contribute to nitrogen fixation, which benefits the soil and subsequent crops. Plus, beans help break the pest cycle since they are less susceptible to tomato pests, reducing the risk of pests carrying over to the next season.
Growing beans after tomatoes is an excellent way to maintain soil fertility while minimizing the risk of shared pests and diseases.
Peanuts
| Ease of Care | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Regular, Well-Drained |
| Ideal Temperature | 70 to 90°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Low to Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in loose, well-draining soil. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Provide adequate sunlight and protect from frost. |
Peanuts, like other legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil. This makes them a valuable crop to follow tomatoes because they enhance soil fertility, ensuring the next crop will have sufficient nutrients for optimal growth.
Peanuts also have different pests and diseases compared to tomatoes, making them a suitable option for crop rotation to disrupt the life cycles of tomato-specific pests.
Clover
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to High |
| General Care Instructions | Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide well-draining soil to prevent water stagnation. Consider mowing or trimming to maintain a height suitable for the specific clover type. |
Clover is a cover crop that is often used in crop rotation to provide numerous benefits to the soil and subsequent crops. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, similar to legumes, and helps improve soil structure by increasing organic matter.
Clover also acts as a living mulch, protecting the soil from erosion and suppressing weed growth. After tomatoes, planting clover can help maintain soil fertility and health for the next crop while minimizing the risk of tomato-related pests and diseases.
Alfalfa
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 85°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Low |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Water regularly but avoid waterlogged conditions. Cut or graze to encourage new growth. |
Alfalfa is another leguminous plant known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Like clover, it can be used as a cover crop to enrich the soil with nutrients by bringing up nutrients from deeper soil layers and helping break up compacted soil.
Planting alfalfa after tomatoes is an excellent way to improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention while preventing the buildup of tomato-specific pests and diseases.
Cucumbers
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Regular and Consistent |
| Ideal Temperature | 70 to 85°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Provide support for vines to climb. Mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds. Watch for pests like cucumber beetles and treat them if necessary. |
Cucumbers are a good choice after tomatoes because they belong to a different plant family. They have few pests and diseases in common with tomatoes, reducing the risk of problems.
Cucumbers grow differently, so they won’t interfere with tomatoes’ growth as they attract beneficial insects like bees, helping both cucumbers and tomatoes. Cucumbers enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefiting future crops.
Crop rotation creates a healthier garden and reduces soil issues while having a shorter growing season, extending harvest time. Just make sure to provide them with enough space and support to climb.
Carrots
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular, even moisture |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to Low |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in loose, well-draining soil to encourage straight root growth. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and early growth. Thin the seedlings to ensure proper spacing for mature carrots. |
Carrots are root vegetables that improve soil structure and drainage by penetrating deeply. They are not in the same family as tomatoes, so they don’t share pests or diseases, reducing the risk of issues for the next crop.
Beets
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Ideal Watering | Consistent and moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to allow proper spacing for healthy growth. |
Beets are root vegetables that improve soil structure, just like carrots. They can accumulate nutrients and minerals, benefiting the next crops.
Beets belong to the same plant family as Swiss chard, which are not related to tomatoes. Planting beets after tomatoes helps avoid tomato-specific pests and diseases affecting the next crop.
Radishes
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Ideal Watering | Consistent, moist soil |
| Ideal Temperature | 50 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Sow seeds directly in the garden bed as they don’t transplant well. Keep the soil consistently moist to promote quick and even growth. Thin the seedlings to ensure proper spacing for healthy root development. |
Radishes grow quickly, improving soil aeration and root development for future crops. Planting radishes after tomatoes prevents tomato-related pests and diseases from affecting radish growth as they are not related to tomatoes.
Turnips
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular, consistent moisture |
| Ideal Temperature | 55 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Thin seedlings to provide enough space for root development. Harvest before they become oversized to ensure the best flavor and texture. |
Turnips, like radishes, are root vegetables that boost soil fertility when their leaves decompose. Adding turnips to your crop rotation plan after tomatoes helps reduce the risk of tomato-specific pests and diseases.
Broccoli
| Ease of Care | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun |
| Ideal Watering | Consistent, preferably 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 70°F during the day; prefers cooler nights |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to high, and provide adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Watch for pests like aphids and caterpillars. Use natural remedies or insecticidal soap if needed. |
Broccoli is in the brassica family, like cabbage and cauliflower. Planting it after tomatoes is good because it breaks the pest and disease cycle.
Broccoli is quite resistant to common tomato pests and diseases, such as aphids, whiteflies, and certain fungal infections. It also enriches the soil with nutrients and organic matter, benefiting future crops.
Cauliflower
| Ease of Care | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Consistent, Deep |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Provide consistent and deep watering to keep the soil evenly moist. Plant in a location that receives full sun for best growth. Keep an eye on the temperature, as cauliflower prefers cool weather and can suffer in extreme heat. |
Cauliflower belongs to the brassica family like broccoli and has benefits when planted after tomatoes. It lowers the risk of pests and diseases because it doesn’t share many pathogens with tomatoes.
Since cauliflower has shallow roots, it complements tomatoes, which have deeper roots.
Cabbage
| Ease of Care | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun |
| Ideal Watering | Consistent |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Remember to water the plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Use mulch around the plant base to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Keep an eye out for pests like cabbage worms and aphids. Address them promptly if you spot any. |
Cabbage is a great crop to follow tomatoes in rotation. It interrupts pests and diseases that may have stayed in the soil.
Cabbage also has a strong smell that repels some pests. Plus, it enhances the soil by drawing nutrients from deeper layers.
Brussels Sprouts
| Ease of Care | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
| Ideal Watering | Regular and consistent, avoiding waterlogged soil |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 70°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to high humidity levels, not extremely dry |
| General Care Instructions | Provide well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging. Keep the plants consistently watered. Monitor for pests like aphids and caterpillars. |
Brussels sprouts are great for crop rotation after tomatoes. They belong to the brassica family and have few pests and diseases in common with tomatoes.
This lowers the risk of passing on harmful pathogens. These sprouts are also hardy and can handle cooler temperatures, making them perfect for planting later in the season.
Basil
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Regular |
| Ideal Temperature | 65 to 85°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Provide well-draining soil. Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist. Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf growth. |
Basil is a great plant to grow after tomatoes due to its many benefits, one of them being a strong aroma that keeps pests like aphids and tomato hornworms away. This helps protect tomatoes in the garden.
Moreover, basil attracts important pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can boost tomato growth and yield. Also, planting basil after tomatoes optimizes space usage, as they have different growth habits and nutrient needs.
Cilantro
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Partial to Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 55 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Medium to High |
| General Care Instructions | Provide well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Pinch off flower buds to prolong leaf production. |
Cilantro, also called coriander in some places when used as a spice, is a good option after tomatoes since it doesn’t attract the same pests or diseases. This helps reduce the risk of soil problems.
It grows quickly, making it perfect to grow alongside slower vegetables. The fresh, citrusy leaves are loved in many cuisines, making it a great addition to your garden.
Oregano
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 80°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Low |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Trim regularly to promote bushier growth. |
Oregano is a perennial herb that grows back each year, making it convenient to follow tomatoes. It’s not affected by many tomato-specific pests and diseases and its strong smell can repel aphids, spider mites, and some caterpillars.
Planting oregano after tomatoes adds diversity to your garden with different foliage, texture, and scent, while also deterring pests from one area. Plus, oregano is a culinary herb that adds flavor to many dishes, making it a practical and enjoyable choice.
Thyme
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun at 6 to 8 hours a day. |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate, well-draining soil |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Low to moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Prune regularly to encourage bushiness. |
Thyme is a strong herb that grows well in different conditions, making it a great companion to tomatoes. Its fragrant leaves can keep away pests like whiteflies and cabbage loopers, which can be harmful to tomatoes too.
Thyme has antimicrobial qualities that fight soil-borne diseases, benefiting future crops. Also, its low height serves as a living mulch, preventing weeds and saving soil moisture for later plantings.
Sunflowers
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 70 to 85°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Low to moderate |
| General Care Instructions | Sunflowers love full sun, so pick a sunny garden spot. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged when watering them. |
Sunflowers release natural compounds that keep common tomato pests away, disrupting their life cycle and reducing their numbers in the garden.
Sunflowers act as nutrient accumulators, drawing up nutrients from deep in the soil and storing them in their tissues. With their deep taproots, sunflowers improve soil structure and aeration, aiding water infiltration and drainage, which benefits future crops.
The large, attractive flowers of sunflowers invite helpful insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on harmful pests. This natural pest control safeguards subsequent crops from potential infestations.
Onions
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 60 to 75°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to low |
| General Care Instructions | Plant in well-draining soil. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to control weeds and retain moisture. |
Plant onions after tomatoes to deter pests like aphids, thrips, and beetles from coming back to your garden. As onions grow, they improve soil quality by breaking it up and enhancing drainage.
You can pick from different onion types like scallions, shallots, and bulb onions based on your culinary tastes and gardening needs.
Garlic
| Ease of Care | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Ideal Watering | Moderate |
| Ideal Temperature | 50 to 80°F |
| Ideal Humidity | Moderate to low |
| General Care Instructions | Plant cloves in well-draining soil. Water consistently but avoid overwatering. Harvest when the tops turn yellow-brown. |
Garlic has strong natural insecticidal and fungicidal properties, making it effective Plant garlic near tomatoes to protect them from certain pests and diseases.
Garlic enriches the soil with essential nutrients, promoting healthy plant growth.
Plant garlic in the fall and harvest it in late spring or early summer after tomatoes.
Planter’s Tips: When growing crops after tomatoes, avoid planting peppers, potatoes, and eggplants right away. These are in the same family and can be affected by similar pests and diseases. Instead, include them in your crop rotation plan, leaving a gap of two to three years between plantings.
