subject: The Easy Way To Grow Big, Juicy, Tasty Tomatoes [print this page] The Easy Way To Grow Big, Juicy, Tasty Tomatoes
The number one reason why we plant tomatoes is easy. We grow tomatoes for food. The excitement we derive from the experience, the splendour of the plants and the fruit are a welcome bonus. We will now look at what to do when you want to grow your own tomatoes.
A little research will show you that there are no fewer than 10,000 species of tomatoes, though I am sure as amateur growers, we can at least differentiate them by size and appearance. Taste and flavour is much more subtle, thus it would need a person with a heightened sense of taste to be able to differentiate between the various types.
When buying seeds or plants for growing, make sure you get them based on your favourite tomato recipes. Whether you want to derive pasta sauce, soups, salsa, salads or you want to make sandwiches, the idea is to match the end result to the recipe that you have in mind. For a budding tomato grower it is advisable that you try different varieties for your tomato recipes.
First plan the garden, or pot for those interested in indoor or hanging gardens. New or amateur gardeners usually pick a spot, be it the deck, patio or even out in the yard, then they rush to their local centre, buy the plants then plant them, water them and after a while they harvest juicy tomatoes. That is the ideal scenario but it rarely works that way. Veteran gardeners know that for every successful harvest, there has to be a plan.
The plan should encompass a number of prevention methods which help decrease the occurrence of normal problems that affect tomato planting. You are better off armed with the knowledge that even the best laid plans won't eliminate all the potential problems that abound during tomato growing, but that adherence to the plan will increase your rate of success.
When starting this process, you should take into account that timing is of the essence. Planning for the season should start early in advance and should be followed to the letter. The seed packs and seedlings should indicate the growing time. The growing time is usually between 60 to 75 days. You can then choose from an early, to mid, to late season tomato. Understanding when you can plant will help you develop a strong garden plan.
You can plant the seedlings or seeds indoors, as this will help them acclimatize to the cold since tomatoes don't thrive in the cold and they need to be watered regularly. While the seeds are growing, you can prepare the garden with compost mixed with soil that is high in organic matter.
The ideal soil for tomatoes has to be well drained and not too water retentive, since this may cause the tomatoes to develop diseases.
Another important point to know is that, like human beings, the tomato plants need water and fertilizer regularly. The fertilizer should be fed to the plant fortnightly for the best results. Bugs and pests, that tomato plants are susceptible to, should be kept at bay by spraying the plants with a prescribed insecticide.
Following these extra simple steps will ensure that you have a good harvest.
