How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes

The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the States. Here are some tips on how to grow your own bountiful crop of tomatoes.

Tomatoes should be grown in full sunlight.

Tomato plants require abundant moisture.

Tomatoes grow well in many types of soil but prefer fertile, well-drained soil with pH of about 6.5.

Garden soil may be improved by adding rotted manure, leaf mold, peat moss, or other organic materials.

The ideal tomato plant should be six to eight inches tall, dark green, with a stocky stem and well-developed root system.

For each family member three to five plants should be grown for fresh eating. If production for canning is desired, then five to 10 plants person needs to be grown.

Plant tomatoes when the weather has warmed and the soil temperature is above 60°F and air temperature is never lower than 45 degrees at night.

Plant seedlings a little deeper than they were in the pots.

Set out tomato plants in the evening or on a cloudy day.

Mulching helps stop weed growth and water loss from the soil. Place a two to three inch layer of organic material such as compost, leaves, straw, grass clippings, hay, newspapers, or black or red plastic sheeting around the growing plants.

Tomatoes can be grown on the ground or supported by stakes or cages. If using stakes put the stake in when planting As the plant grows taller, tie it loosely to the stake every 12 inches with soft fabric or twine.

Tomatoes require at least one inch of water per week during May and June and at least two inches per week during July, August, and September. Water once or twice a week and to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.

Space dwarf plants 12 inches apart; staked tomatoes should be 12 to 18 inches apart. Allow 2 to 4 feet between non- staked plants.

Rows should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart for staked plants and 4 to 6 feet apart for non-staked plants.

A 10-20-10 fertilizer should be applied at planting time. Sidedress for the first time when the first fruits are one- third grown. Use about one to two tablespoons per plant. Mix the fertilizer into the soil then water, being careful not to get the fertilizer on the foliage. A second application should be made two weeks after the first ripe fruit and a third application one month later. Water the plants thoroughly after fertilizing. All fertilizers should be worked into the top six inches of soil.

For more information on fertilizers: http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/tomatoti ps.htm

REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish this article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter, ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if it remains unchanged and you include the copyright and author information (Resource Box) at the end. You may not use this article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam).

You may retrieve this article by:
Autoresponder: tomatotips@getresponse.com
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net/articles/toma totips.txt

Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney

Please leave the resource box intact with an active link, and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the article appears to: marilynp@nctc.net

Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

---

How to Attract Butterfly Activity...

The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More

Butterfly House in the Flower Garden

Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for... Read More

Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye

To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More

Hand Feeding your Koi

One of the most rewarding and entertaining things about having... Read More

Mowing the Lawn

This is more of a follow up on my original... Read More

Moss on Lawns

Just about right now, we start to see moss on... Read More

Want a Garden, But Don?t have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydroponics Gardening Is The Answer!

Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants... Read More

Outdoor Furniture: Exploring the Benefits of Teak

Of the many types of materials that are available for... Read More

Pond Construction

The location of your pond should be decided. You've picked... Read More

The Garden As Healer

The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More

Daphnes for Scent and Colour

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of plants knows that... Read More

With So Many Choices For Patio Furniture, Finding The Perfect Set To Complement Your Yard Is Easy

There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a... Read More

Gardening with Bamboo

Myths and facts A misconception about bamboo is that they... Read More

Layer Your Plantings

Part three in a seriesIn our last article, we helped... Read More

Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance and Friendship

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous... Read More

Basics of Pruning Roses

Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More

Paving Stones

Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More

Plan for Winter Plantings

Part four in a seriesIt's hard to think about winter... Read More

Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do

Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden... Read More

Dog Days of Summer

Here are a few tips to keep your garden and... Read More

Why Patio Benches are a Great Place to Relax and Enjoy

Having an outdoor patio offers the opportunity and place to... Read More

Selling Your House? Mow Your Lawn!

A property that has a well manicured lawn has one... Read More

Think Vintage for Your Garden

Container gardeners take note. Tired of clay pots? Think vintage,... Read More

Gardening Tips for Early - Mid July

Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the... Read More

Invite Spring Early - Grow in Your Basement

Now's the time to get ready to grow your own... Read More

Planting Roses

The art of planting roses doesn't have to be a... Read More

Ten Considerations Before You Buy A Bird House

When you decide to buy one bird house or more... Read More

Trust Your Plants - They Know How To Grow!

I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More

How to Grow Avocado

Fruit gardening and vegetable gardening is a very exciting venture.... Read More

Would You Like More Information About Climbing Roses?

What is more beautiful than seeing a home or building... Read More

Green Thumb Gifts: Beyond Gardening Gloves

Ahh, spring! It has sprung! Gardeners (and budding gardeners -... Read More

Summer Lawn Care Tips

Summer is just around the corner, and your lawn could... Read More

Compost YES, Epsom Salts NO

You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More