Growing juicy, delicious tomatoes takes a little know-how.
Use these simple tips to enjoy your own bumper crop.
Biting into summer’s first sun-ripened tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the season’s sweetest milestones.
Credit: Brie Williams
No matter which varieties you choose, here’s how to grow tomatoes successfully for a beautifuland abundantharvest.
Garden soil may be too heavy forgrowing tomato plantsin containers, soadd compost or perliteor use potting soil.
Wait for the soil to warm, then transfer the tomato plants outside.
This planting depth is essential for tomato plants, which can form roots along their stems.
Space Properly
Place small bush tomato varieties24 inches apart and larger varieties 36 to 48 inches apart.
This is especially important for sprawling indeterminate typesthe tomato varieties that keep growing until there’s a frost.
Afterplanting the tomatoes, water them thoroughly.
Select sturdytomato cagesthat stand 5 to 6 feet tall.
Disinfect used stakes and cages with rubbing alcohol to remove any pathogens that may have formed.
In extremely hot conditions, morning sun and light afternoon shade is sufficient.
Although the plants will grow in predominantly shady areas, the production of fruit is severely limited.
Soil and Water
Tomato plants grow best when they have well-draining soil and consistent moisture.
If it rains less than an inch per week, supplement by watering.
In sprinkler terms, that’s 20 minutes three times a week.
To prevent diseases, avoid wetting the foliage.
Temperature and Humidity
Tomatoes are warm-weather fans.
Wait until the soil warms in spring before setting out plants.
Tomato plants function best when the temperature is between 55F and 85F.
Although they love the sun, when the temperature rises above 85F, they can’t set fruit.
Tomatoes prefer a relatively high humidity level of 65 percent to 85 percent.
Levels higher than this range negatively affect the plants.
Apply abalanced liquid plant food, such as 5-5-5, according to package directions.
Pests and Problems
Gardeners aren’t the only creatures that like the way tomatoes taste.
The best advice is to remain vigilant.
In the case of hornworms, just pick them off (yuck!).
Treat aphids, white flies, and spider mites with insecticidal soap orneem oil, following the product directions.
In May or June, cut 4- to 8-inch cuttings from unwanted side shoots on the plant.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and place it in water in a sunny place.
After it is well rooted, transplant it into the garden.
In warm areas, you may see tomatoes before frost.
Weather plays a role in the timeline; tomatoes ripen best at temperatures close to 75F.
When the temperature rises to about 90F, the fruits soften and develop poor color.
If you pick green tomatoes at mature size, they will ripen indoors.
Before a hard frost, harvest all but the greenest fruits and bring them indoors.
Use them in a recipe or allow the green fruits to ripen in a closed paper bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, indeed.Deer like tomatoesjust as much as gardeners do.
In addition to deer, theculprits include groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and chipmunks.
To be safe, plant more tomato plants than you need.
Tomato plants are self-fertile, relying primarily on the wind to vibrate the blooms and release the pollen.
Bees also supply this service.
When the wind is calm and bees are nowhere to be found, some gardeners resort tohand pollination.
Different color tomatoes produce sugars and acids in different amounts.
For example, orange or yellow tomatoes are milder and less acidic than red tomatoes.
McCarty, Grant.Tomato Cages Vs. Stakes.Illinois Extension College of Agriculture, Consumer & Environmental Sciences.
