Tomato Growing GuideUpdated 10 days ago

Tomatoes are a rewarding crop for home gardeners, offering versatility in the kitchen. Here’s how to successfully sow and grow tomatoes:

When to Sow

• Indoors: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
• Outdoors: Transplant when the risk of frost is gone and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.

Indoor Sowing

• Use seed trays or small pots with a light, well-draining mix.
• Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and keep soil moist, ideally between 70-80°F.
• Seeds germinate in 5-10 days. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, transplant them into larger pots.
• Hardening Off: Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions for 7-10 days before transplanting.

Outdoor Transplanting

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil.
• Transplant seedlings 18-24 inches apart with rows spaced 3-4 feet apart.
• Bury part of the stem when planting to promote additional root growth.
• Water thoroughly after transplanting and apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Care & Maintenance

• Light: Tomatoes need full sun (6-8 hours daily).
• Watering: Water deeply and consistently. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced or tomato-specific fertilizer throughout the season.
• Support: Provide stakes, cages, or trellises to support growth and keep fruit off the ground.
• Pruning: Remove suckers (small shoots between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production.

Pests & Diseases

• Common pests include aphids, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies. Use insecticidal soap or beneficial insects to manage them.
• Tomatoes can suffer from fungal diseases like blight and powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation, water at the base, and practice crop rotation.

Harvesting

• Tomatoes are ready to harvest when they reach full color and are slightly soft to the touch.
• Harvest by gently twisting the fruit or cutting it off with pruners.
• Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.

Garden Use

• Tomatoes grow well in garden beds, raised beds, and containers.
• They are excellent companion plants for basil, marigolds, and carrots, helping deter pests and improve growth.

Note on Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot is a common issue caused by a calcium deficiency, but adding more calcium may not always fix the problem. It’s often the result of inconsistent watering, where the plant can’t absorb calcium due to overly dry or soggy soil.

To prevent and manage blossom end rot:

• Maintain consistent watering. The soil should be damp, not muddy or dry.
• Apply mulch to reduce water evaporation and maintain even soil moisture.
• During hot weather, increase watering to help the plant cool down through transpiration.

If blossom end rot has already started, it may take time to resolve. Consistent watering should improve the condition over time. While most residential soils contain enough calcium, if you suspect a calcium deficiency, consider a soil test. If low calcium is confirmed, apply garden lime or finely powdered eggshells to gradually increase calcium availability.

When transplanting, adding a pinch of garden lime to the hole can help provide a steady calcium source. However, avoid overuse, as too much lime can raise the soil's pH, making it too alkaline for tomatoes, which prefer slightly acidic soil.