Gardening Tool - How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes

How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes

The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in theStates. Here are some tips on how to grow your ownbountiful 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, leafmold, 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 rootsystem.

For each family member three to five plants should be grownfor 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 soiltemperature is above 60°F and air temperature is never lowerthan 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 thesoil. Place a two to three inch layer of organic materialsuch as compost, leaves, straw, grass clippings, hay,newspapers, or black or red plastic sheeting around thegrowing plants.

Tomatoes can be grown on the ground or supported by stakesor cages. If using stakes put the stake in when plantingAs the plant grows taller, tie it loosely to the stake every12 inches with soft fabric or twine.

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

Space dwarf plants 12 inches apart; staked tomatoes shouldbe 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 plantsand 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 carefulnot to get the fertilizer on the foliage. A secondapplication should be made two weeks after the first ripefruit and a third application one month later. Water theplants thoroughly after fertilizing. All fertilizers shouldbe worked into the top six inches of soil.

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

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

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