Who doesn’t like a tomato fresh from the garden? Supermarket tomatoes don't even start to measure up. Still warm from the sun and matured to perfection. No green tomatoes forced to ripen as they are shipped off to the store. Only picked when they are ready to eat - scrumptious!
Anyone can grow the perfect tomato. It really isn’t difficult at all. It just takes a little planning and a few easy suggestions. For the perfect tomato garden, just follow these easy tips and you will be on your way to enjoying a crop of scrumptious tomatoes!
Location Is important
Just like real estate, location is everything for perfect tomatoes. Tomatoes enjoy the sun, so your chosen spot needs to get a lot of sunlight throughout the day. No matter if it is a sunny site in your yard, or a sunny corner of a deck – make sure that your sun worshiping tomatoes get plenty of sunshine!
Plan for 18 inches of space for each tomato plant. If you have a sizeable garden, you can plant as many as your garden will support then sell them at a farmers market, or bottle them for later use. Tomatoes also do well in containers so if you have a small garden they will flourish in a small space. If you grow them in a pot, make sure the pot is well drained and is placed in a sunny location. Container grown tomatoes tend to tip over so add a small trellis or stake.
What Kind
There are more kinds of tomatoes than you can number! With so many to choose from which do you pick? If you are stumped, visit your local nursery and ask what kinds do best in your area. Most tomatoes do well anywhere, but it never hurts to ask around. It is a great idea to plant some small kinds of tomatoes as well. Little tomatoes are delicious for salads and just to eat fresh. Small varieties like cherry tomatoes grow great in containers and tucked in corners of your garden. The little red fruit really looks pretty planted amid marigolds. Plus, the marigolds help to deter pests from attacking the tomatoes!
Off To a Great Start
Tomatoes need to be sheltered from frost so unless you plan to use hot caps, don't put them in the ground until you are sure frost possibility is over. Once that danger has gone by, you can place tomato plants in the garden or containers. Most people buy tomato plants from a garden center, but you can start your plants indoors from seed. Tomatoes do best if they are transplanted into the garden rather than seeded into the garden. If you decide to grow your own with seed, then start them indoors six to eight weeks before you will be transplanting them outdoors. Fill a growing tray with a seed starter soil mixture and lightly press the seeds into the soil. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. You don't want to be able to see water standing in the soil, but if you press on it you will feel dampness. Within one to two weeks your seeds will begin to spring up. Keep the plants in a sunny window or under a grow light. Once the plants are big enough and the threat of frost is over, plant them in your garden.
Don't Let the Bugs Get You!
Tomatoes can have a few pest issues. The hornworm is one of the pests you will need to be concerned about. Hornworms like to feed on underneath the leaves, so you will have to search vigilantly for them. When you discover one, make sure you kill it by stepping on it. Parasitic wasps can be introduced to your garden, they will lay their eggs on the worms and then the young larvae will eat the worm Make a plan to inspect your plants on a regular basis to check for hornworm and other pests.
Some bugs can be repelled by simply planting other plants next to your tomatoes. Gardeners have long planted marigolds alongside their crops. That is because marigolds are a great organic pest repellant.
As you can see, it is simple to grow the perfect tomato. Just follow this simple plan and savour your yummy crop!
Author Resource:-
Piper is a self-employed author who likes spending time with her family, good nutrition, and the great outdoors. She enjoys working in her garden and loves growing perfect tomatoes. She enjoys gardening, reading and fitness. Piper writes about subjects she loves like fitness, parenting, and the outdoors.
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