How To Grow Tomatoes

Posted by Lenith on Sunday, November 24, 2013 in How To Grow Tomatoes | No comments

How To Grow Tomatoes
Growing your own fresh tomatoes is enjoyable. Even if you don't have space for rows of tomato plants in your garden, or even if you don't have a garden at all, with simply a sunny balcony, a patio area or a handful of hanging baskets, you can still enjoy home-grown, garden-fresh tomatoes. Here's how to do it.

Essentially tomato plants themselves come in one of two general varieties. These are either the 'vine' type or the 'bush' variety. Vines will usually need the help of a support as they grow, and can become very tall and long-limbed plants. Alternatively, bush types are much more compact and dense and require less general maintenance then vine types, both varieties will give you a hefty crop of fruit through the summer months.

How To Sow Your Tomato Seeds

Sow with plenty of space between each to allow the seedlings to branch out as they develop, then cover lightly with a thin layer of compost, place the container in a polythene bag - and add a label if you're growing several types - and then place in a warm place such as an airing cupboard.

Be sure to check the trays daily for the first signs the seeds are germinating, and once the shoots start to emerge, move the container to a warm sunlit spot such as a window sill. As the seedlings grow, transfer them over to bigger pots as soon as they get their first decent leaves. Pot them up individually into 10cm pots as soon as they are sturdy enough and keep the potting compost fresh and moist.

How To Plant Your Tomato Seedlings

Tomatoes usually germinate quite easily so you're likely to have plenty of seedlings. Once they are around 15cm to 20cm tall and all chance of frost has passed, it is time to plant them out. On the vegetable bed, dig a whole deep enough to burrow the seedling's stem leaving the top portion with leaves only. The part covered with soil should grow strong healthy roots, starting the basis of an abundant harvest later on. Try to space plants a foot or so apart and always make sure the leaves are not touching each other.

It is best to plant the seedlings outside in the afternoon or when the weather is particularly overcast. Water the bed just enough after planting, and then feed a few days later with a good organic fertilizer. Vine tomatoes need to be trained against canes or another steady support, and, if possible, always add the supports at the same time as you plant, to avoid stabbing the roots later on.

Where To Grow Your Tomatoes

Most modern tomato varieties can be grown outdoors in the ground or in pots, grow bags, barrels, even in hanging baskets and window boxes, as long as they have a bright but sheltered spot.

When growing plants in the open, a sunny protected site is essential - such as against a garden wall - as tomatoes plants always need plenty of light. Top quality soil or fresh potting compost is similarly as vital, which is why grow bags are excellent for growing tomato plants just about anywhere. For tomato crops planted directly into the ground, as long as the soil has been supplemented with plenty of organic matter, the plants will still thrive. But if you plan on growing tomatoes on the same site for many years, bear in mind pests and diseases are likely to build up in the soil, so re work the soil each year.

Looking After Your Tomatoes

Tomato crops planted in clean containers and top quality compost, which are well watered and fed, and enjoying a hefty dose of daily sun, should grow into strong, healthy and disease-free plants, producing plenty of fruit.

However all tomato plants are susceptible to whitefly attacks, so try to introduce small pots of basil and marigolds near your crops, as they can act as a great natural insect repellent.

The soil your tomato plants grow in should always be kept moist, but be careful of constant fluctuations between overly wet and completely bone dry soil. This can cause fruit splitting and exceptionally dry conditions can even cause blossom-end rot when part of the fruit becomes black. Try to feed your plants regularly using a fertiliser.

And, lastly, although bush tomatoes are not overly demanding for maintenance, vine types do need to be tied in frequently and their side shoots should be snapped or pinched off often. This will concentrate the plant's energy on the fruit that grows on the main stem. And always remove any yellowing leaves as they appear to keep the plant strong.

Enjoy growing your tomatoe.