How To Grow And Care For Tomatoes (Get Planting Now!)

There is no better time to plant tomatoes than right now. Tomatoes do pretty well in warm weather; therefore, they usually do well in late spring. Most people love these firm but juicy, sweet but tangy, and aromatic fruits that are considered vegetables.‏

‏Unfortunately, these vegetables are highly prone to problems. You need to choose the best varieties, plant them right, and ensure that you are aware of all of the issues they usually encounter so you can counter them before they occur. If you are interested in some tomato growing tips that will give you tomato bragging rights this year, read on. 

How to Choose Tomatoes

It can be challenging to pick a tomato variety because there are many of them. There are also a lot of terms involved in the choosing process, i.e., hybrid, indeterminate vs. determinate, and VFN. You should do proper research and find out which variety suits you best. Another good idea would be to grow several types. Within the ones you pick, ensure that there are a couple of disease-resistant variants since tomatoes tend to be quite susceptible to disease.‏

‏Below are some of the questions that will help you select the best tomato varieties:

- Which tomatoes have the best flavor?
- Which are the most disease-resistant?

You should also make your choice based on the growth habits and space requirements of your tomatoes. You can either have indeterminate, which are tall and viney, or you can have determinate, which are bushy. Apart from that, think about the fruit characteristics that are of most significant importance to you? These may include color, aroma, yield, or even culinary use. ‏

‏If your main aim is to sell, consider all the other factors that matter to your customers as well. When you have taken into consideration all these factors, you should be able to choose the best tomato varieties for your needs.

Where to Grow

Naturally, tomatoes are sub-tropical plants. It, therefore, makes sense to grow them in an area where they have unlimited access to the sun. This is very important. It is also advisable to plant tomatoes in raised beds where the soils can provide moisture without waterlogging. ‏

‏Tomatoes should be grown in highly fertile soil. Keep in mind that a fully developed, healthy plant can grow to about two meters and deliver hundreds of tomatoes whilst occupying minimal space. In comparison, a cabbage takes up even more room but only produces a single head. As you prepare your beds, you should add a lot of well-rotted manure. It's advisable to add a full wheelbarrow for every three square meters. ‏

‏It's also possible to grow tomatoes in pots and grow bags. However, because of the limited root space, you will have to employ a more intensive feeding regime if you go this way. Ensure that each pot holds not less than 40. If you are using a grow bag, limit each grow bag to only two plants. With pots and grow bags, look for the best compost you can find and feed the soil with generous amounts of seaweed and chicken manure at the time of planting.

How to Plant and Care for Tomatoes

Tomatoes need a lot of warmth. This is why it makes sense to grow them now since temperatures are getting warmer. If you want a headstart on growing, you can go for starter plants instead of actual seeds. Get your young plants from a reputable supplier and select a prime, sunny spot for them to grow. Generally, tomatoes require at least six to eight hours of sun to get the best crop. ‏

‏To keep the tomatoes off the ground, you will need to stake, trellis, or cage them. You should work on a support plan before you even look for the plants. As soon as you plant, you can add the support.‏

‏When planting tomatoes, allow each plant adequate room to grow. There are some space robust varieties that should be planted approximately three feet apart. Stockier variants can be planted about two feet from each other. If you are growing the tomatoes in containers, you'll need a 24-inch pot for indeterminate varieties and 18-inch sized pots for determinate varieties.

pH and Nutrients

For tomatoes to take up the maximum possible amount of nutrients, the soil pH must be in the range of 6.2 to 6.8. You should ensure that there are constantly supplied with the necessary major and minor plant nutrients. To get a good nutrient mixture, combine a continuous-release fertilizer with calcium and add it to the soil as you prepare the planting holes. Keep on feeding this mixture as they are growing as directed on the labels. ‏

‏A good nutrient mix is essential to protect the fruit from blossom end rot. This is a serious issue that results from calcium shortage. To supply the minor nutrients, mix in 3 to 4 inches of compost. It will also help to hold fertilizer and moisture in the soil. 

Deep-Planting Tomatoes

If you want to have the most vigorous plants, bury about two-thirds of the stem in the ground as you are planting. This will enable the plant to sprout roots along the section of the buried stem. As a result, you will get stronger plants that are better able to find water when the soil is dry. Please keep in mind that this deep-planting method only applies to tomatoes. Just after planting, water the seedlings to help settle them in. 

Mulching

Cover the ground with between two and four inches of mulch. This will help to limit the growth of weeds and retain moisture in the soil. For an excellent mulch, you can use straw and shredded leaves. These two, in particular, are well recommended when growing tomatoes. You should water your beds regularly and aim for not less than an inch of moisture per week. This should be more when summertime comes as it is warmer. 

Watching out for Tomato Troubles

There are a few pests or diseases that trouble outdoor tomatoes. Other problems are to do with wet or cold weather. Additionally, nutrient deficiency can also have catastrophic consequences for tomatoes. You will notice mottled, purple-veined, or reddish under leaves. This is often a result of low temperatures. Tomatoes are unable to absorb nutrients when it is too cold. Other complications that can result from this include blossom end rot.‏

‏Growing tomatoes is not easy, but if it's done right, it can be pretty rewarding. The trick is to be watchful from the beginning and to ensure that all the correct procedures are followed from planting through to harvest time.