Everything you need to know about tomato growing- a quick guide + hacks!
When it comes to gardening, there’s no such thing as enough information. It’s always best to stay updated about new planting techniques and gadgets coming up, and if you’re looking for a quick yet comprehensive guide to tomato growing, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading.
Planting Tomatoes
When it comes to planting tomatoes, keep these few tips in mind.
- It is a good idea to plant your seeds indoors for 6-8 weeks before getting them outside.
- Choose an airy, bright spot in the garden for planting.
- Till the soil to about a foot and add in compost or aged manure.
- Make sure your seedlings are atleast 2 feet apart when you plant them.
- Keep watering them well.
The Tomato Growing Care Guide
Follow these care tips to ensure optimum tomato growth.
- For the first few days after planting your seedlings outside, water them generously.
- To conserve water, place a few rocks around the plant and then water it. The rocks keep the water from the soil from evaporating and gives the plant a constant supply.
- Mulch at around 5 weeks after planting them outside.
Dealing with Pests & Diseases
Dealing with pests isn’t tough anymore! Stick to these tips to do it right.
- Regardless of the type of plant, always stick to the use of organic and natural insecticides and pesticides.
- Consider the use of diatomaceous earth, which helps control adult pests that feed on foliage.
- Practise crop rotation.
- Add earthworms and an assortment of other beneficial micro-organisms.
- Use horticultural oils to deal with flying insects, or release natural predators like ladybugs.
Harvesting & Storage
Harvesting and storage just got easier with these simple steps.
- Let your tomatoes stay on the vine for as long as possible. Avoid placing them on a sunny area in the hope of ripening them.
- Once harvested, place them in a paper bag and store in a cool and dry place.
- Avoid refrigerating fresh tomatoes- it tends to spoil its texture and flavor.
Tomato Growing Hacks
And now for some super tips and tricks that help you grow killer tomatoes even if you don’t have a green thumb!
- Look for a spot in your garden that has 4-6 hours of sunlight, the more the better. Also remember to leave room around the plant for the air to circulate.
- Dig in some compost and set out the tomato seedlings.
- Make sure you plant these seedlings in the spring right after the last spot, and put cages around the area where you’ve planted them.
- To reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases, practise crop rotation. Alternate your tomato bed between a few spots in the garden.
- Steer clear of tomato seedlings that appear lush green but have poor root systems.
- Water your tomatoes directly into the soil- not on the leaves. Once every week, soak the tomato bed in water.
- Prune away the non-fruiting branches- this helps target the plant’s energy towards the fruit, which will yield bigger tomatoes.
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