Hey Y’all! Welcome back! Today is all about tomatoes! Let’s learn the truths about growing them at home in your garden! Did you know that tomatoes are a berry? Shocker right? Berries are classified as having tiny small seeds with a thick pulp, and how each flower makes one tomato. Therefore yes! Tomatoes are berries, but they are also fruits since they do have seeds. Yes I know it's confusing! But let’s just stick to growing them am I right?
The basics
Getting started with planting tomatoes starts with the basics! Tomatoes need full sun! So 6+ hours of full sun, they also like warm temperatures! I’m talking about 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit! Tomatoes also enjoy slightly acidic soil around 6.2- 6.8. Also knowing if you are growing a determinate or indeterminate species is very important. Although this doesn't change the basic care for these plants, it does change the requirements for the plants, determinate plants only grow to a specified height, check the back of your seed packet. While on the other hand, indeterminate can grow to an unlimited height.
Getting them started
Beginning with let’s talk about starting seeds, you might not be for it. But let’s be honest it is the cheapest way to start a small backyard garden. The only thing you need is a seed starting mix, which can just be potting soil that has been sifted to be sure that there aren't big chunks in it to prevent the seeds from sprouting out, and your seed packet. It is best to start your seeds six to eight weeks before your last frost date is estimated. You can also use an artificial grow light. Keep it on for 14-18 hours a day, or you could put the seedlings in a warm sunny windowsill. It is also recommended to only bottom water the seedlings to promote a deep healthy root system, along with “petting” your seedlings to promote strong stems or using a fan on the seedling to get the same effect.
Planting the seedlings
Planting the seedlings, it is important to plant the seedlings after the last frost date has passed, and the night temperatures are over 50-55 degrees for at least a week. Also “harden” off your plants before planting them which just means for you to leave them outside for 7 days. It is also best to plant the tomatoes deep to help have a good root system to support the plant and the fruits it will bear. In between each of the “hairs” on the stem, a root will grow from it. I also recommend you plant your plants either in the late afternoon or night to help keep from shocking your plant as much. You should also be fertilizing every two weeks with your desired fertilizers, remember tomatoes are heavy feeders!
Caring for the plants
Awesome! Now that you have your seedlings planted let’s talk about caring for them! Staking vs caging them! I recommend caging them if you have a determinate breed of tomatoes, as they won’t get that tall, but if you have an indeterminate breed I recommend a stake. I grew a tomato over 6 feet last year by staking them and it was 100 times better than a cage. I had many cages fall over and break my plant!
It is best to water your plants less as they start ripening the fruit for more sweet fruit! While watering 2-3 times a week when it is not ripening fruit is suggested, it is recommended that you only water the ground near the plant, and be sure not to wet the leaves as little as possible this can cause so many diseases in the plant and eventually kill them or stunt their growth. It is best to water them in the mornings before the sun comes up to minimize the chances of diseases since the water would evaporate off the leaves if there is any water on the leaves.
Caring for the plant is more than watering and fertilizing, you should also trim any leaves that touch the ground in any way off the plant to the stem. As the plant starts to fruit it is important to take any of the leaves off the plant that are BELOW the fruit. This is just so the plant knows to put all the energy into the fruit rather than the leaves. This also helps with air circulation which can help with diseases in the plant. Pruning the plant is also important, the plant grows “suckers'' which come between the limb' ' of the plant and the stem usually at a 45-degree angle. You can break them off as soon as they grow or you can let them get 4-5 inches in length, break them off, and propagate them in water and soil, and now you have a baby tomato plant! 2 for the price of one? I think yes!!
Get to planting
There you have it! Your basics to tomatoes! They aren’t as difficult as you would think, right? They are by far the easiest plants to care for in my opinion! I have been growing them for years and I use all these tips and have not had a problem! I hope you have fun growing your tomatoes! Happy gardening everyone!
Amazing tips!!