Planting

Tomatoes

Planting Time Tomatoes are warm weather divas and refuse to perform until the soil is good and warm. Plant them after all danger of frost is gone and nighttime temperatures stay above fifty degrees. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks early for a head start. Cold soil makes tomatoes sulk like a cowboy stuck doing dishes, so warmth is the key.

Depth & Spacing Tomato seedlings love a deep seat, so bury the stem up to the first true leaves. This encourages strong roots and anchors the plant better than a ranch concrete. Space plants twenty-four to thirty-six inches apart. Give tomatoes room to stretch or they will tangle up like horses fighting over the same feed bucket.

Soil & Fertilization Tomatoes thrive in rich, well drained soil with plenty of compost mixed in. They are hungry plants, so a balanced fertilizer helps them produce fruit worth bragging about. Avoid overdoing nitrogen or you will end up with leaves the size of comforters, blankets, and hardly any tomatoes. Balanced feeding equals big harvests and even bigger smiles.

Watering Needs Water tomatoes at the base to avoid wetting the leaves. Consistent moisture prevents blossom end rot and keeps plants from acting dramatic. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Mulch helps hold moisture and keeps weeds from inviting themselves to the party like nosy neighbors.

Sunlight Requirements Tomatoes need full sun, soaking up six to eight hours a day. The more sunlight they get, the juicier and sweeter the tomatoes become. Shade results in fewer fruits and plants that curl like a ranch hand missing his coffee. Sunlight turns tomatoes from shy to showstoppers.

Harvesting Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored, fragrant, and slightly soft to the touch. A ripe tomato slips off the vine easily. If squirrels and birds start showing interest, pick tomatoes just as they break and let them finish ripening indoors. Nothing beats the flavor of a sun ripened tomato straight from your own garden.

Captain Greenhouse Tip For tomatoes that taste like pure summer, prune lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease. Stake or cage your plants to keep fruit off the ground. Adding a small scoop of calcium powder to your planting boosts strength and helps produce deep red, flavorful tomatoes. Grow a few varieties and you will feel like the tomato king of the county.