Top Vegetable Gardening Tips For Tomato Growing
Eat them raw, cooked, pickled (pickled cherry tomatoes are great!)
... why not go the whole way and grow them as well! Here are some
tomato growing tips from Alison Stevens
Vegetable gardening tips for tomato growing are readily available.
Most gardeners are happy to share their tomato growing tips and
even non-gardeners who attempt to grow tomatoes every spring will
offer advice. The difficulty for the novice tomato grower comes
in trying so sort the valuable vegetable gardening tips for tomato
growing from the old wives’ tales.
One of the best sources for vegetable gardening help is a local
nursery. Buying plants at a supermarket or a chain store with garden
center may allow you to purchase plants at a cheaper price, but
it is unlikely that the staff in these stores know a great deal
about gardening. For reliable vegetable gardening help, visit a
local nursery. Many nurseries carry plants that they themselves
have grown from seed, and they will be knowledgeable about each
variety of plant and can advise on local conditions.
Local Garden Club
Most towns have a local garden club and meeting together with
other gardeners is a great way to obtain vegetable gardening help
and improve your knowledge. Other gardeners from your locality
will have abundant information about the requirements of vegetables
in your zone. When you enlist the aid of gardeners that are local
to your area, you will get vegetable gardening help that you can
use because these gardeners understand the unique needs of your
particular zone.
Local garden clubs often run workshops or classes on topics ranging
from composting, to growing a particular variety of heirloom vegetable,
to pest control in the garden. Many often sponsor projects such
as community gardens which can provide gardening space to those
who live in apartments and have no garden space of their own. and
taking part in an altruistic endeavor with your fellow garden club
members is a fantastic way to learn all sorts of gardening secrets
and tips.
Even if you don’t join a garden club taking part in some
workshops will provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow gardeners
and form friendships with people with a common interest.
The County Extension Office
Another top resource for vegetable gardening advice is your local
county extension office. They specialize in solving the gardening
problems unique to your local environment. They can perform soil
tests, identify plants and diseases and sometimes supply free seeds
or plants
Once you’ve gained some gardening knowledge it’s time
to get your hands dirty.
Tomatoes and other vegetables are easy to grow if you start with
good soil. Before you plant your garden, till the soil to about
a depth of ten inches and dig in some well rotted compost or other
organic material. Complete this step several weeks before you want
to plant your tomatoes.
For a larger garden, you can rent a tiller, but for a small garden
space you can use a gardening fork to dig in the compost.
When risk of frost has passed, drive a ¾ inch stake into
your prepared garden bed. Dig a hole a little deeper and wider
than the size of the tomato plant’s pot next to the stake,
gently place the plant into the hole and firm it in. A trellis
or tomato cage can also be used for support in lieu of a stake.
These are readily available at nurseries and hardware stores. Use
soft twine or tomato ties to tie the plant’s stem loosely
to the stake or trellis. As the tomato plant grows, check the ties
regularly and loosen them occasionally to prevent stem damage.
The tomato seedlings should be planted 18 inches apart to allow
the sun to reach the ripening fruit.
Feed Your Tomato Plants
Feed your tomato plants regularly using a potassium-based plant
food or you can create your own organic fertilizer mix. Planting
basil adjacent to your tomato plants will assist in keeping pests
at bay.
Watering is as important as feeding. Water your tomatoes regularly
with a hand-held hose. Direct the water at the base of the plant
and avoid wetting the leaves which can lead to rot.
Never let your tomatoes dry out to the point that they wilt. Although
you can usually save the wilted plant by watering it, the dry period
will take its toll on the plant and affect the quality of the fruit.
Extended dry spells may cause your tomatoes to crack.
Regularly nip out by hand any side shoots that develop between
the leaf and the stem. This will help to channel the plant’s
energy into its fruit.
When your tomatoes have ripened, pick them by bending back the
fruit at the notch on the stem. Ripe tomatoes can be stored in
the fridge for up to a week. Continue to water and feed the plant
to help the remaining tomatoes to ripen and mature.
Author: Alison Stevens
Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains he Grow Great
Tomatoes website www.growgreattomatoes.com to
assist anyone who wants to get started growing tomatoes and other
vegetables.
Organic Gardening Articles: http://www.organicgardenarticles.com/
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