How to Grow Tomatoes
Learning how to grow tomatoes is one of the most rewarding things in your garden. These tall plants are easy to care for and produce a large flavorful harvest.
Tomatoes are a favorite first plant to grow because they can be relatively easy to care for with a high return on investment.
How to Grow Tomatoes
When to Plant Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow well transplanted from seedlings allowing them to have a start before the threat of the last frost has passed.
The hardest part is choosing which types of tomatoes to grow.
Start your tomatoes seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.
Once the weather turns warm during the day take them out to start hardening them off in the sun and bring in at night when the risk of frost hits.
When it is warm you can begin planting your tomatoes in garden soil. First choose a sunny spot (full sun) to help your tomatoes produce well.
Feeding Tomato Plants
Till in plenty of fresh compost to help feed your tomatoes.
Tomato plants are well known for being a hungry plant so be prepared to add plenty of amendments to the soil.
Banana peels, crushed eggshells, and Epsom salts are all great ways to help feed your tomatoes.
You can always buy some fertilizer, but if you can compost your own, why not?!
Planting Tomato Seedlings
When planting your seedlings burry the bottom third in the soil. The stems will produce roots and help keep your tomato plants steady.
Supporting Your Tomato Plants
Place a tomatoes cadge around your tomato plants to give them support as they grow and the stems begin to produce heavy ripe tomatoes.
This should be done at the time of planting to avoid damaging the roots of your tomato plants.
Watering Your Tomatoes
Water your tomatoes well and mulch around the base to trap water in the soil and keep weeds out.
Water your tomato plants with about two inches of water a week. Use deep watering less often rather than watering more often with less water.
This will train your tomato plants to dig deep roots to help them stay steady. Mulch can also help prevent pests from bothering your garden.
Fertilize your tomatoes often during the growing season.
What to Make With Your Tomatoes
I love a fresh slice of warm tomato off the vine in this delicious double burger or chopping up a few cherry tomatoes into a simple taco salad.
There’s so much you can do with tomatoes–and it’ll save you money at the grocery store during the grocery season!
