Tomatoes for your best harvest

How to Plant and Grow Tomatoes 

Biting ripe tomatoes in the first summer of summer is one of the most anticipated events of the season. Although grocery stores and farmers' markets sell a wide variety of exotic varieties, it is difficult to beat the taste and freshness of tomatoes at home. In addition, by growing your own tomato plants, you can try the dazzling rainbow of heirloom and hybrid varieties. From large, juicy beefsteak tomatoes to bite-sized cherry varieties, you can find tomato varieties in any store or market in all sorts of shapes, colors, textures, and flavors. No matter what varieties you choose, here's how to grow tomato plants that will give you a delicious harvest.

How to plant tomatoes

Whether you want to grow tomato plants in a garden or in a container, choose a place that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Although tomato seeds can be sown directly outdoors, you can get a start in the growing season by purchasing alternative plants or starting the seeds indoors, 6-8 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. After that date, you can place your tomato plants in the garden. Spacing Small bush tomato varieties are 24 inches and large varieties, especially broad-leaved perennials, are 36 inches by 36 inches in rows.

To give the tomato seedlings the best chance of success, remove the lowest leaves of each plant and place the weed ball in the planting hole deep enough so that only the top bunch of leaves remain in the ground. This planting depth is unique to tomato plants because they form roots with their stems. The extra roots help to anchor the plant, especially when starting transplant operations with tall, legs. In addition, more roots indicate better absorption of water and nutrients. Some gardeners like to add a little slow-release fertilizer to each planting hole, but if you already have fertile soil, this is not necessary. After planting the tomatoes, pour the water well.

As soon as you have planted your tomato plants, place them in stock, crossbars, or cages (except for small bush or patio varieties, which will often support themselves). As your plants grow, use cages and stocks to keep the leaves and growing tomatoes in the ground, which helps prevent fruit rot and many other diseases. Select sturdy tomato cages 5-6 feet high. Anchor the cages firmly to the ground to prevent the plants from exploding and uprooting during storms. Or pound 8-foot stakes at least 12 inches into the ground and 4 inches from the plant. Attach the tomato stalks with garden rope, self-adhesive cloth, or strips of cloth.

Growing tomatoes

To keep your tomato plants healthy during the growing season, use mulch, water regularly, and fertilize regularly.

Mulch: The mulch around your tomato plants helps to promote weeds, maintain soil moisture and prevent the spread of soil-borne diseases when it rains. Layer organic mulch 3 to 4 inches thick, such as straw, shredded leaves, or finely chopped wood chips.

Irrigation: Tomato plants grow well if there is uniform moisture. If it rains less than 1 inch per week, pour extra water. In terms of the sprayer, it is 20 minutes three times a week. If you notice that your plants are starting to rot, you may need to water them frequently in hotter climates. To prevent diseases, avoid wetting the leaves. Apply water directly to the root zones using irrigation can or magic wand or use a drip irrigation system.

Fertilization: Tomato plants grow well if fertilized at two specific times during the growing season. One month after planting, apply a balanced liquid plant diet of 5-5-5 according to the package instructions. Then, apply a second dose as your plants begin to bear fruit.

Pruning of tomato plants

Although it is not necessary to prune the tomato plants, it is better to remove the growing shoots between the main stem and the branch. Those shoots carry energy from the plant toward the fruit-bearing branches.

How to harvest and store tomatoes

Tomatoes are ready for harvest when they are firm and fully colored. Tomatoes ripen at temperatures close to 75 F. When the temperature rises to about 90 degrees, the fruits soften and develop a bad color. Tomatoes ripen indoors when their green maturity is taken 

Before severe frosts, harvest everything except green fruits and bring them home. Use them in a recipe (fried green tomatoes, anyone?) Or allow the green fruit to ripen continuously in a sealed paper bag. Check the fruits for maturation once a week. Remove rotten tomatoes or fruits that do not show signs of ripening. Also, the whole plant can be uprooted and hung in a warm, safe place where the fruits will continue to ripen.

Once ripe fruit is picked, you can store it on your kitchen counter for up to a week depending on room temperature. Yes, you can put tomatoes in the fridge, but they do not taste as good as stored at room temperature.