Nothing beats a freshly picked tomato. You can't get that sort of taste in the produce department. Still warm from the sun and matured to perfection. No green tomatoes forced to ripen as they are carted off to the store. Only picked when they are ready to eat - yum!
So, what do you need to grow the perfect tomato? The is really not much to it. It just takes a little preparation and a few easy suggestions. For the perfect tomato garden, just follow these simple suggestions and you will be on your way to enjoying a crop of delectable tomatoes!
Where to Plant
You need to find the perfect spot to plant your tomatoes. Full sun is best for growing perfect tomatoes. A sunny patio or a bright corner of the yard is ideal for these sun hungry plants.
Plan about 18 inches of space for each tomato plant. If you have the space, plant extra to preserve in the fall as sauces, juice, and whole tomatoes. For those that have limited space, tomatoes are the perfect deck plant as well. If you grow them in a container, make sure the pot is well drained and is placed in a sunny location. Place a trellis or a stake in the pot so the plant doesn’t tip over.
Which Type?
It is amazing how many different types of tomatoes there are available. With so many to select from which do you pick? If you are confused, pay a visit to your local nursery and ask what kinds do best in your area. Most tomatoes do well anyplace, but it never hurts to ask around. Think about planting a few cherry tomatoes as well. Little tomatoes are perfect for salads and just to eat fresh. Cherry tomatoes are ideal container plants and they also look great mixed in with your flowers. The bright red fruit looks wonderful when mixed in with flowers and foliage plants. Planting marigolds around your tomatoes helps to keep pests away!
Off To a Good Start
Tomatoes need to be sheltered from frost so unless you plan to use hot caps, don't put them in the ground until you are sure frost danger is over. After the danger of frost is gone, put your tomato plants in the garden or plant them in containers. You can find tomato plants at most nurseries or you can start your own from seed indoors. Tomatoes do best if they are transplanted into the garden rather than seeded into the garden. Starting seeds indoors will necessitate you to begin six to eight weeks before it is time to plant them outside. Fill a growing tray with a seed starter soil mixture and gently press the seeds into the soil. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. You don't want to be able to see water standing in the soil, but if you press on it you will feel dampness. Within one to two weeks your seeds will begin to grow. Keep the plants in a sunny window or under a grow light. When the plants are large enough, transplant them outdoors.
Don't Let the Pests Get You!
Tomatoes can have a few pest problems. Hornworm is usually the culprit. Since they feed on the underside of the leaves, the only evidence you will see is the droppings they leave on the lower leaves. If you find one, the best way to get rid of it is to step on it! Inspect your plants regularly to make sure you don’t get infested with the hornworm.
Some bugs can be repelled by simply planting other plants next to your tomatoes. Possibly you have noticed that people have one or two rows of marigolds in their gardens. That is because marigolds are a great natural pest repellant.
Growing the perfect tomato isn't tough at all. With these easy steps you will savour scrumptious tomatoes all summer long!
Author Resource:-
Piper is a self-employed journalist who likes spending time with her family, good food, and the outdoors. She loves to work in the garden with her garden cultivator. She loves going for walks, music and exercise. Piper writes about subjects she loves like fitness, parenting, and the outdoors.
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