How to Grow Big, Strong and Healthy Tomatoes

One question that I often get from friends and family members who are new to gardening is how to grow tomatoes. Over the years I have picked up many tips and tricks from my mom, who I consider a tomato growing expert. I realize it is a bit late in the season to start tomatoes, but I thought I would give some tips from planting to harvest.

1. When picking out what types of tomatoes to plant I suggest planting a variety rather than one kind. This will give any salsas or sauces you make better flavor. This will also be beneficial if one variety gets a disease, others may be more resistant to it.

2. Prepare your soil. Add in some compost and fertilizer. A general purpose vegetable fertilizer or a tomato specific fertilizer will both work.

3. When you are readying to plant your tomato plants, plant deep. To do this, take the bottom (closest to the roots) one or two sets of leaves off and plant up-to the next set of leaves. By planting deep it promotes your tomato plant to develop more roots.

4. Make sure to space your tomato plants out. Leave several feet between each plant. When I was learning to garden my mom always told me, tomatoes have a large personal space. Leaving space between each plant will allow airflow which will cut down on the possibility of fungus and will also make it easier for you to harvest with the larger space.

5. Use a tomato cage. Tomatoes are actually vines and will grow outward on the ground otherwise. When they grow on the ground the fruit tends to rot. The cage will keep them upright off the ground preventing rotting and will make it easier to harvest.

6. Spread either mulch or grass clipping under your plants as they grow. By doing this you are covering the soil which will prevent the soil from splashing up on the plant. Another alternative to much or grass clippings is to plant your tomatoes in landscape fabric. When soil splashes on the plant it can cause fungus which causes the oh so common early and late blight. You can also snip off the lower branches so they are not dragging on the ground which prevents blight as well.

7. Keep a regular watering schedule. Tomatoes need a lot of water to produce fruit, but be sure not to over water either. Check the soil to see if it is moist or not before you water. This can be done by feeling it with your fingers.

8. Watch your tomatoes grow and enjoy your harvest!

I often get asked if one can grow tomatoes in a pot. I prefer to plant them in the ground as the yield will be greater. However, not everyone has access to a raised bed or ground level garden. If you are going to plant in a pot I would recommend small to medium sized tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes do great in pots. When selecting a pot, the bigger the better. I would use no less than an 18 inch diameter pot. Also the deeper the better so your plant can develop a good root system. Fertilize your tomato plant regularly as your pot can only hold so many nutrients. Anything planted in a pot will reach a point where the nutrients are depleted in the soil and more needs to be added. Also, keep an eye on water. Tomatoes in pots will dry out much quicker!

I hope these tips are helpful to use the remainder of this gardening season and for next!