How can I grow tomatoes that the bugs don't eat first?

spray them with water and hot pepper mixed in.... use jalapeno or scotch bonnet pepper and mix in garlic powder in the mix too

Hi Nada, I transplant my tomato plants in the garden then immediately plant a Marigold plant within 3 feet of each tomato plant. Make sure you plant the Marigolds where they will be out of the way and not get walked on when you are harvesting the tomatoes - or pulling the weeds from around the tomato plants. The Marigold plants keep the bugs off the tomatoes but don't keep the bees from pollinating the flowers on the tomato plants. I haven't had any bugs in my tomato patch in over 25 years; give this a try, you'll love it! Happy Gardening!!

Hi Nada, Here's a link that may help: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/protect-tomatoes-cucumbers-insects-21932.html

Good luck!

Wrap base of stem with newspaper to height of 3-4" when planting. Put crushed egg shells and Epsom salts along with fertilizer in planting hole. Lay black plastic, weighted with rocks on your soil, over soaker hoses. Cut "X" shapes where you plant, then pin or weight down edges after planting. Plant basil in front of tomatoes. Crinkle foil and pin at base of tomato plants. Plant French marigolds amongst the tomato plants. Suspend floating row covers if too cold or too hot, but pull back for periods, in extreme heat to avoid suffocating plants. Remember to rotate where you plant tomatoes, year to year. Add composted cow manure, yearly. Vary the varities of tomatoes you plant.