Also, quickly remove any tomatoes attacked by bugs or worms. If some branches grow near or on the ground, snip them off to prevent disease. You'll be amazed at how your plants respond to plant food, so feed them regularly, too. Tomatoes love water, and one of the biggest reasons for decline in tomato plants is lack of moisture. Now you're ready to pick and eat, share and show off your bounty.ĭon't forget to water regularly to keep the soil from drying out. But be careful, as you don't want the tomatoes to become overly ripe, which can result in a very soft tomato. Ripeness is usually determined by rich colors and a slight softness. Generally, you can expect to see fruit appear between 45 and 90 days after planting. Take note of any signs of wilting in the plants' leaves. Use a simple soil test by dipping your finger about one inch into the soil to determine moisture levels closer to the roots. After they're established, be sure to water your plants regularly and feed every 2 weeks. Keep the mulch at least 6 inches away from your tomato plants.įeed your tomatoes with an appropriate plant food, as like most plants, they will be especially hungry for nutrients during the first few weeks in the soil. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around your tomato plants to help conserve soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. When it's time to put them in the ground, ideally about 2 weeks after your last frost date, mix in a big helping of high-quality garden soi. For windier and less temperate days, you can also purchase cold frames from a garden center or home improvement store, or make your own protectors using plastic sheeting.Īn old adage says: "tomatoes have fun in the sun, but fade in the shade." For all tomatoes, the more sun, the better. Place them outside for a few hours a day in an area protected from wind and direct sun, and bring them inside in the evening or whenever temperatures below 50☏ are forecasted. This means introducing them slowly to the elements they'll find outside. Prepare, or harden off, your tomato seedlings for outdoor conditions. When their first leaves appear, transfer them to larger containers, such as 16-oz plastic cups with holes poked in the bottom. When your seeds start sprouting, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, move them to a sunny spot or under artificial lights. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to conserve moisture, and place your seeds in a dark, warm location, preferably between 70☏ to 80☏. Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep and press on the soil a little to make sure the seeds have sufficient contact with the soil. Fill your containers with the potting mix and then add water until it's the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. Use a seed starter mix - a lightweight mix that will encourage fast root growth. Plant your tomato seeds in small containers such as egg cartons or Styrofoam cups, two seeds to a container. This gives you more control and usually ensures a healthier crop. Greater variety is a good reason to grow tomatoes from seed rather than starter plants. But there are many varieties of tomatoes, including cherry, yellow and heirloom, and they all offer different colors, sizes and flavors. Either way, starting tomatoes from seed is the ideal way to enjoy growing this fruit. Or maybe you want varieties that you can't find at the gardening center. Maybe you want to get a jump on the growing season. It packs a lot of tangy sweet tomato taste for its size and is an excellent addition to any salad or sandwich. This mid sized tomato is a gorgeous green striped tomato when ripe. I only save seeds from the very best of our garden grown tomatoes. I absolutely love the bold sweet juicy flavour of a garden fresh tomato! That sweetness when you bite into one on a fresh toasted tomato sandwich is my biggest craving in the dead of winter! You can grow your own tomatoes by starting from seeds.
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