Vegetable Garden

Easy Tips for Home Grown Tomatoes

Home grown tomatoes (technically fruits) are the most popular of all plants grown in vegetable gardens.

They yield more in their space than any other vegetable and as a result are grown in vegetable gardens outdoor, indoors, hydroponically and even on patios. The yield around 7-11lb per plant and more as tomato plants mature.

When to plant? Tomatoes generally grow in warm weather across about 3 months.  They are susceptible to frost so grow best in frost free warm southern areas. In temperate climates they grow well from late winter through to mid summer. In cold areas they grow better from early spring until the end of spring. In some mild districts home grown tomatoes can be planted late summer and the again end of spring for an extended season.

What About Soil? Tomatoes grow well in both heavy and light soils but typically this soil needs to be well watered, well drained and contain plenty of organic material. The key nutrient required by home grown tomatoes is phosphorus.  This is especially important for tomatoes seedlings.  Soil based nitrogen is also important.

Seeds or seedlings? Tomatoes can grow from seeds sown directly into garden beds but it is more common to grow seedlings in small pots and then transplant these.

Spacing.  This is an important decision. Tall tomatoes that grow up a stake should be planted as seedlings about 20-24inches apart. This allows sufficient light for each plant.

Plant care. Weed around plants and between rows. As tomatoes need plenty pf watering, you can make furrows between the rows to allow irrigation especially during warmer months and as plants bear more fruit. Watering of this kind reduces diseases that occur as a result of overhead watering.

Fertilizer. If your soil is well fertilized, home grown tomatoes don’t need further fertilizing until they begin to fruit. A small scattering of mixed fertilizer every month well watered in, is sufficient.

Tomato stakes. Most tomatoes grow on stakes around 6 feet high. These need to be staked around 2 inches from the plant. Plants are pruned and the two main stems are tied (about 12 inches apart) to the stake. Make sure that tomato flowers face outwards.

Picking. Tomatoes always taste best when they are picked ripe and ready to eat. They can be refrigerated for about a week if ripe and a month of picked green.Tomatoes can be bottled and cooked by sautéing, baking an stuffing but not directly frozen.

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