WHEN TO PLANT
- Growing tomatoes requires a long and relatively warm period of time before the plants can bear fruit (about 60-90 days).
WHERE TO PLANT
- Quite simply, plant tomatoes in full sun. If you make sure tomatoes get the maximum amount of sun love, they’ll be more likely to love you back with lots of tomatoes
PREPARING THE SOIL
- Tomatoes grow best in a slightly acid soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8
- Correct amounts of calcium (lime) may be added to the soil to bring the pH level up
- One pound of lime per 30 sq. ft. should be sufficient
- Lime will also increase your levels of potassium (K)
- (N)-High (P)-High (K)-High
PLANTING AND GROWING
- The best way we have found to plant tomato starts (and the way our family has done it for three generations) is to dig a trench about 12 inches long and 5 to 6 inches deep for a 12 inch tall plant
- Sprinkle the bottom of each hole with several inches of loose compost (N). Then sprinke a handful of bone meal (P) and a teaspoon Epsom salts(magnesium) in the hole; this will encourage plant productivity and vitality
- Lay the plant down in the hole with only the top leaves showing above the soil level. Be careful of breaking the stem when placing it in the hole and bending it upward
- You will notice the numerous “hairs” on the stem. Each one of these fine hairs is apotential root and the more of these that can be placed in the ground, the stronger will be the root system that your tomato plant will develop
- Once your tomato is positioned in the hole, fill hole half way with soil. Fill the rest of the way with water. Let the water drain; finish filling the hole with dirt
- Press the soil down enough to remove air pockets and support the plant; water thoroughly
- For staked tomatoes, plant 2 feet apart. Tomatoes left to sprawl need 3-4’ between plants
- Apply compost tea and a liquid organic leaf spray fertilizer every 14 days. Once flowers bloom, side-dress plants with compost
- Use soft twine, strips of cloth, or strips cut from old pantyhose to tie up branches. Rough garden twine can cut into your plant
WATERING
- Watering should be moderate to heavy until fruit begins to ripen
- During ripening, only small amounts of water should be applied to plants. This will allow for the best flavor in the tomatoes
- Avoid over-head watering; this can cause disease and split the fruit
- Try either drip irrigation, or if your garden area is small you can easily apply with a hose, bucket, or watering can
- Consistent and even watering practices also help to maintain plant health and prevent disease which can harm root growth and blossom production
WATERING
- Watering should be moderate to heavy until fruit begins to ripen
- During ripening, only small amounts of water should be applied to plants. This will allow for the best flavor in the tomatoes
- Avoid over-head watering; this can cause disease and split the fruit
- Try either drip irrigation, or if your garden area is small you can easily apply with a hose, bucket, or watering can
- Consistent and even watering practices also help tomaintain plant health and prevent disease which can harm root growth and blossom production
WHEN TO HARVEST
- For immediate usage, tomatoes are best harvested when they turn red (or what ever their ripening color may be) but are still firm on the shoulder of the fruit. Pick ripe fruit daily; do not over-ripen
- Another method for achieving ripe tomatoes before the frost hits is to “stress” them by cutting the roots about half way around the plant with a shovel
- When a frost is predicted, you have two choices;you can pick all tomatoes, ripe and unripe, or pull up your tomato plants by the roots and hang them upside down in a warm, dry location.
- If you choose to pick all the tomatoes, gently twist or cut off the fruits, holding the vine with your other hand to prevent breaking the vine off. Sort by ripeness and place in boxes, one layer thick. Store in a dark, warm area. Even green tomatoes will ripen.
- If you choose to pull up your tomato plants by the roots and hang them upside down, the nutrients from the plant will continue to feed and help ripen the tomatoes
