Tomatoes are perhaps one of the easiest vegetables to grow. At our home, we have them growing almost wild - if left to rot on the plant, the seeds will undoubtedly grow into plants soon enough. One of the basic rules in tomatoe growng to to always stake your plants - your yield will be much better than if you dont. Also, try to only water the base of your plants, as wet leaves in sunlight can burn very very easily.
Choose the right variety
Some varieties are determinate type plants. This means that they may grow to about three feet in height and then suddenly stop. Others, such as most of the heirloom types, are indeterminate type plants. This means they will grow as high as you allow them to grow. If you have limited space, choose determinate types like Celebrity, Sunbeam or Mountain Spring.
Don't plant too close to each other
Plants need around at least 1 1/2 feet (45 - 50cm) between plants, preferably around 2 feet (say 60cm or so), and that's for plants that are grown upright on stakes or cages. If you give no support and the plants are allowed to sprawl on the ground, they will need twice as much room. Plants that are spaced too closely will produce but a few fruit and have more disease problems as the foliage stays wet. Always plant your tomatoes according to how big they will get, not on the size of the transplants!
 Don't plant in shady spots - give them plenty of light
All tomato plants, like any plant that produces fruit, need at least seven hours of direct sunlight. If you have less, you will have fantastic foliage but only very few fruit. There is nothing that can overcome this light requirement. Fruit production takes a tremendous amount of energy, and tomato plants get that energy from the sun.
Feed the plants, but not too much
Tomatoes love a balanced fertilizer, with similar amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Try to avoid using fertilizers that are intended for lawns. The high nitrogen will push the leaves at the expense of your fruit. Look for fertilizers designed specifically for tomatoes and follow the label directions. Even better, throw a shovel full of compost around the plants every other week.
Don't lose sleep over pruning
They will grow just fine without pruning. Slight pruning will however result in slightly fewer total fruit but the fruit will be slightly larger. You will probaly get more but slightly smaller fruit from non-pruned ones. Do what ever you're comfortable with.
Keep them well watered
When the soil around tomato plants dries out, they suffer. Calcium, one of the handful of minerals needed by all plants to grow, is absorbed by the plant's roots along with water. If this water is limited, so is the calcium intake. The result is blossom-end rot. This manifests as a brown, dry leathery spot found on the bottom of fruit. Do not be fooled by magic remedies that promise to fix this. Special fertilizers or egg shells placed next to the plant won't make the slightest difference. Only water will make the difference. So make sure your soils don't dry out. Always use mulch to help conserve moisture, and try not to water the leaves directly.
 Don't remove leaves or branches from mature plants with fruit
Some people think that the fruit need direct sunlight to ripen. This is not true. Pruning the plant prior to fruiting is fine, but never remove foliage from a mature plant! This exposes the fruit to direct sun and can lead to sunscald - a yellowing of the side exposed to the sun. The same holds true for green fruit that you are ripening inside. Do not put them on a sunny windowsill. Instead you should put them in a paper bag and place them out of direct light.
Identify your pest problems
It's normal to see insects on your plants! Chances are that most of them are not doing your plants any harm. Despite some diseases that may cause some yellowing and browning, you should get more than enough fruit to satisfy your needs even with some pest damage. At the very least, one should learn to identify common tomato pests so that you can take appropriate action. only ever use chemicals as a last resort - even then think thrice before puttin chemicals on your plants..
Don't put them in your refrigerator
You've done everything right and now it's time to harvest! Don't be tempted to put that fruit in the refrigerator. Temperatures below 13C (55F) will destroy the very fragile balance of sugars, acids and other flavor inducing compounds. Always place your fruit at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. If you want them to ripen a bit faster, put them in a brown paper bag. | |
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