Tomatoes eBook

8/2/2019 Tomatoes eBook

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2006 Monochrome Marketing Solutions. All rights reserved.

Tomato Growing

Hanbook!Visit us at: www.how-to-grow-tomatoes.com

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2006 Monochrome Marketing Solutions. All worldwide rights

reserved.

Any unauthorized use, sharing, reproduction ordistribution of these materials by any means, electronic,

mechanical, or otherwise is strictly prohibited. No portion

of these materials may be reproduced in any manner

whatsoever, without the express written consent of the

publisher.

Published under the Copyright Laws of the Copyright

Office of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office

www.cipo.gc.ca/copyrights by:

Monochrome Marketing Solutions


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Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Growing Tomatoes

Chapter 2 Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Chapter 3 Growing Tomatoes Upside Down

Chapter 4 Places and Ways to Grow

Chapter 5 Growing in Buckets

Chapter 6 Staking Tomatoes

Chapter 7 Watering

Chapter 8 Pruning

Chapter 9 Starting from a Seed

Chapter 10 Summing it ALL Up


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Introduction

From: John Parker

Dear Gardener,

If youre anything like I was, this story may soundstrangely familiar.

You dig up a fresh patch of mud in your yard, plant some

healthy seeds and dutifully water it. Every morning you

anxiously scan your yard for that first glimpse of green.

After a couple of days, a frail stem pushes itself out of

the ground. Youre thrilled after all, your seeds are

beginning to show life! A few days go by and your weak

little stem gets weaker. Now you start to panic.

One fine day, it happens.

The seedlings have finally given up on you and your patch

looks like a big wasteland. At this point, youre ready to

call a spade a spade and throw your gloves in.

And like me you take one last chance. You want to

understand why your tomatoes are behaving badly. You want

to do something about it. You are badly in need of some

guidance. I was guided by my grandmother who was a trueblue gardening genius in her own right. And YOU, my dear

friend, have turned to me for a little help.

Congratulations! You have made the RIGHT decision.

I guarantee that by the time you are through with this

little e-book, you will be looking at tomatoes differently.

You will be surprised by the easy yet effective GOLDEN

secrets of growing perfect tomatoes. How to grow tomatoes

is just a small part of this e-book. I will focus on little

tricks and tips that will make this e-book your onlineguide to growing tomatoes.

This e-book will definitely tell you all that you hope

for and then some!

As an amateur gardener, I started out with my backyard.

In my adventurous journey towards a self-sufficient


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kitchen-garden I have gone through the arduous process of

planting and caring - only to lose my entire crop time

and time again. The lesson I learnt: home gardening is not

that simple.

8 years of working with tomatoes has taught me that

growing tomatoes is a science much like everything else

these days. Do it properly and you get a bumper crop. Botch

it up and youll see a few straggly plants and indifferent

fruits.

Heres an example: did you know that your gardeningwould be much more successful if you knew the

difference between determinate and indeterminate

tomatoes? When you mix these up your yields will

plummet.

Some folks may be wondering what Im talking about. If

you are one of them, you have to understand that soil,

temperature, storage and method mean a LOT to your little

tomato seedlings. If you put the poor little seed in an

inhospitable environment, it is going to feel unwelcome,

and give up on you.

With the information in this e-book, you will learn the

secrets of growing large tomatoes. You will successfully:

grow tomatoes in buckets, pots, milk jugs, or justabout anywhere

ensure healthy, glowing tomatoes grow tomatoes organically smell out potential problems and have their solutions and you will learn to grow lush tomatoes in any wet

patch of land.

You are not alone in your passion for tomatoes. Tomatoes

are the most grown fruits (yes, its a fruit, not a

vegetable) in home gardens all over the world. One of the

reasons for its popularity is the nutritional benefits itoffers. Tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamin C,

vitamin A, potassium and iron. The red pigment in tomatoes

acts as an antioxidant. It helps cut down risks from cancer

and other deadly diseases.


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Flash info: Did you know that tomatoes were once

considered toxic, and were not eaten in the U.S till

the early 1800s?

In spite of their immense popularity, tomatoes are

difficult to grow IF you do not know the techniques. Youhave probably learnt by now that it is not nearly enough to

just plant, water and fertilize tomatoes. You have to

sucker them and protect them. A multitude of garden pests

and animals love tomatoes just as much as we do, or

probably even more. Tomatoes being weak-stemmed need to be

supported with stakes and tied and re-tied as they grow.

Little wonder then that many seasoned gardeners have

decided to give growing tomatoes a skip.

But its really not difficult at all. Healthy bountiful

tomato plants can be grown if you go about it the rightway. Soil pH, nutrient problems, planting methods, pruning

and tying are just some of the factors that affect the

growth of your plants.

These and so many other gems of knowledge are

crystallized here for you. It took me years of hard work to

discover these for myself. I know how heartbreaking it is

to see your plants die time and again. I want to share what

I have learnt with you.

The tips and techniques in this book will DEFINITELYguide you to that bumper crop you have been dying to see.

So, lets get started right away!


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Chapter 1: Growing Tomatoes

AbsolutelyNOTHING can beat the taste of warm, home-

grown, vine-ripened tomatoes on piping hot chunks of bread!

If that alone is not enough, here are some more reasons

to get started with growing tomatoes:

They are easy to grow Yields are good and the fruits keep for a long time If you are ever in a mind to sell it the crop brings a

fair price. This is because almost everybody loves

tomatoes and one can never really tire of them. Our soils are ideal for enormous yields of tomatoes

that are superior in look, taste and quality.

A little intelligent effort can see you growingtomatoes in your garden throughout the year.

Choosing varieties:

Tomatoes are as diverse as their uses. There are special

varieties of tomatoes for canning and freezing, others for

slicing, small fruits for those who want to grow tomatoes

indoors or on the patio, tomatoes that make excellentketchups and sauces and even late maturing tomatoes. Before

you decide to plant, choose what you want from your plant

as well as what variety is best suited for your soil.

Tomato cultivars come in 2 broad categories: determinate

or indeterminate, and the secret of growing tomatoes is to

KNOWyour variety. Determinate varieties grow rapidly to a


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certain height and then stop. In the meantime, they will

flower and set their fruit; which is an advantage if you

want a large crop for canning. Indeterminate tomatoes need

a longer interval to grow, flower and set fruits. So if you

want tomatoes year-long for your pizzas and sauces, you

should choose the latter.

Best Tomatoes growing tips #1: Fed up of diseases? Tryplanting disease resistant varieties. The VNF

varieties, Celebrity and First Lady ll are hardy

disease resistant tomatoes.

How to plant tomatoes:

First off, tomato is a warm-season plant. Optimum

temperature for growing tomatoes is between 75F and 95F.

Soil temperature is just as important as air temperature.

Minimum soil temperature should be between 50F and 55F.

Because of their nature, tomatoes are very sensitive to

frost. So, if you must put them out when the weather is

cool, protect them sufficiently.

You can buy plants from a greenhouse or grow tomatoes

from seeds started indoors.

If you are growing tomatoes from seeds, you need a good

grade of tomato seed to start off. Get the seed through a

reputable grower. I have found this to be the safest bet,

not only for my tomatoes, but for other plants as well.Select seeds that are perfect in shape and size, and clean

of dirt, debris or any foreign material. Do not select one

that shows any signs of germination.

Plant the seeds in a good grade of soil or in a good

starting mix. If you use soil from your own garden (not

recommended), sift it free of rocks and other foreign

material, including grass roots.

Best Tomatoes growing tips #2: Never use compostedsoil to start your seeds. Compost is good for maturingseedlings and adult plants.

Always dress your soil before you put in seeds. Little

seedlings require lots of nutrients. Choose a good grade of

manure (my personal favorite is manure of pigeons, followed

by manure of chicken). If you want to grow tomatoes

organically, doNOT buy commercially packaged manure. This


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manure is a by-product of commercial poultry, beef and

pork. Commercial feeds contain growth hormones and various

chemicals.

Space seeds evenly in holes and plant them about 1/4

inches deep in the soil. Keep them in a warm and dark place

until the seedlings appear. You should be able to see

sprouts within 2 weeks. As soon as the sprouts appear, move

the seedlings to a bright but cool location.

Best Tomatoes growing tips #3: Ideal night-timetemperature for a seedling is around 40F. If tall

straggly plants have been a recurring thing with you,

one reason could be low temperature. Warm temperatures

also nurture the roots and promote strong root

development.

As the seedlings grow and develop 4-6 leaves, transplant

them to larger pots containing compost. Harden off

(acclimatize) the plants before you transplant them. Even

plants purchased directly from the nursery need hardening

before they are planted.

Eager gardeners wanting to hurry the growth process often

make the mistake of setting their plants out too soon. When

plants are young, it is necessary to protect them from late

frost damage. If you MUST set them out use inverted

baskets, milk cartons or paper bags.

Water the plants well before transplanting. Tiny plants

should be planted two or three inches deeper than they are

in the pot. After planting remove two or three bottom

leaves. Water the plants immediately after transplanting

them. Allow the soil to dry between watering and water

deeply to prevent developing shallow roots.


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Where do you plant your tomatoes? Choose a location that

receives full sunlight. Tomatoes grown in the shade will

produce low yield. Protect the tiny plants from wind and

provide good drainage.

As far as area is concerned, a garden is not essential to

growing tomatoes. Raising tomatoes in small tubs or large

containers is fairly common these days.

Soil conditions:

What soil is best for planting tomatoes? Since tomatoes

love warm weather, choose an open, well-drained and sunny

location. Avoid areas where rain water tends to pool.

The ideal soil for raising tomatoes is a fairly light and

porous soil that contains good amounts of humus. Often

overlooked but important piece of info on raising tomatoes

is mulching. Tomatoes should be mulched only after the soil

has warmed. Mulches retain moisture and also help to keep

the fruit off the ground.

Staking and Pruning:

Indeterminate vines will produce fruit till they are

killed by frost. They will also flop down on the ground if

you do not manage them. For better production of large

fruits, these plants need to be staked. Staking also

protects the plant from injury when they are heavy with

fruits.

Drive a stake about 5 into the ground. Tie the plant

loosely to the stake with soft yarn. Place the yarn, or


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even strips of cotton underneath the leaf node to stake

them.

If you decide to stake your tomato plant pinch out side

shoots. Remove all stems growing from the leaf crotch.

Leave only the first one on. To limit the height of the

plant, pinch off the top. By keeping foliage under control,

you will getter better and healthier yield.

Best Tomatoes growing tips #4: Pruning helps fruit tomature faster. Fruits grow larger and are uniform in

size. One reason for this could be that pruning

increases air circulation, thereby reducing foliar

diseases.

Determinate bushes do not have indefinite and rapid

growth phases. So they do not need staking or extensive

pruning. Nevertheless, being weak-stemmed, these plants

also need some kind of support. Cages or netting would be

good enough. Removing some of the flowers and trimming the

vegetation is another tip if you want bigger fruits.

Fact sheets on problems of growing tomatoes:

Garden fresh tomatoes straight from the plant!

As scrumptious as that may sound tomatoes can easily fall

prey to a number of diseases. Most problems in growing

tomatoes result from weather and soil conditions, overwhich the gardener has absolutely no control. But diseases

are a different story altogether.

Try to keep disease at bay altogether prevention is

definitely better than cure!


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If you know that your area is prone to certain diseases,

look for varieties that are listed as resistant. Catch

tomato disease early so that it does not spread to all of

your tomato plants. Early blight, gray leaf spot, late

blight and southern blight are some of the diseases that

affect the tomato plant. If properly managed, tomato

diseases are rarely fatal. As soon as you discover an

infected plant, remove it and burn it.

Tomato fruits are also prone to diseases. Tomato rot is a

common enough problem, and is usually caused by a fungus

that is splashed on to the fruit from the soil.

Best Tomatoes growing tips #5: When overripe tomatoescome in contact with wet soil fungus problems develop.

Other reasons for diseases include bacterial infection

and lack of nutrients. Poor calcium supply during fruit

set, high nitrogen fertilizer concentrations or uneven

watering can all lead to bad fruits. If fruits show

problems, remove the fruit immediately and provide regular

deep watering.

Growing tomatoes isnt rocket science thats what my

Grandma used to say. I agree. These diseases and their

causes may sound pretty high-tech. But common sense

prevention tactics is all you need to keep them at bay.

Tips & tricks to grow healthy tomatoes:

Solarize your soil to control nematodes. Rotate your tomato crop by putting them on a three

year rotation schedule.

Dispose off the diseased plants by burning them.Composting may cause the disease to spread.

Use disease resistant cultivars. If your tomatoes are prone to cracking after rains,

pick them before the rains. Theres really nothing

much you can do about it.

Tomatoes DO NOT like cool, wet soil. Choose thesunniest location for your plants.

Water them carefully, so that no mud splashes on theplant.


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Chapter 2: Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Imagine an orchard on your patio or tiny greens in a

window-box, or a tomato plant in the living room! Does this

excite you?

Container gardening gives just about anyone the

opportunity to get a taste of country living even if they

live in the penthouse of a skyscraper!

Not everybody can afford the luxury of a spacious garden

where every plant has its own little corner. When garden

space is limited, youve got to make the best of your

resources. As it happens, tomatoes easily grow in crammed

spaces. Growing tomatoes in containers is dead easy and

just a couple of pots will keep an average family well-

supplied with garden-fresh tomatoes all the year round!

Why keep tomatoes in containers?

Since traditional gardening is not an option for avast majority of people, the container varieties are

becoming more popular.

Even when you have enough room in your garden,planting tomatoes in containers is a sure-fire way of

keeping soil-borne fungal diseases at bay.

Tomatoes grown in containers are treasured for theirornamental value too.


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Before you put the seed in the pot, check for the variety

you have selected. As I am continually saying, the right

variety can make all the difference. Varieties suited for

containers generally have a reduced growth habit. They will

not get too large for your container. Check out the

information on the packet before you purchase the seed.

Determinate varieties do better than indeterminatevarieties when grown in containers.

Certain cultivars, like Tiny Tim and Cherry Gold,

flourish in containers, hanging baskets, patio or garden

locations. The Patio variety is another excellent plant

for the container. It is sturdy, grows fast and produces

ample fruit.

Advantage of container gardening:

You can place the container just about anywhere on your

porch, sitting room or even by your kitchen window. All you

need to do is ensure that the plant gets about 8 hours of

sunlight. You can easily move the plants if needed. You

have more control over your plant and can easily keep away

pests. You can even harvest the fruits in the middle of

your favorite T.V. program!

Disadvantage:

Watering becomes a difficult business because tomatoplants are very susceptible to the level of water. Water

them too much and the roots will rot. Water them too little

and the plant will wilt. When plants grow in containers,

its difficult to judge just how much water is enough.

Choosing a container for growing tomatoes:

The size of the container you choose affects the growth

of the plant and its yield. Most varieties grow well in a

container 5 gallons or larger. Choose a pot that is at

least 12 -14 inches in diameter.

Since watering is always a problem if you are growing

tomatoes in containers, I always use self-watering pots -

the pots that maintain a reservoir of water at the bottom

that the plant wicks up as and when needed.


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A plastic pot does not dry out as easily as a clay potand will therefore require less watering.

Put in drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. Thiswill allow any excess water to drain out, thereby

preventing the dreaded root rot.

Planting tomatoes in containers:

Tomato seeds can be started at home in individual pots as

early as March. You can also purchase plants that have been

planted in late-March or early April.

Since you will be growing the plant in a container, soil

quality is very important. You will have toARTIFICIALLY

provide all the nutrients your plant needs.

Mix the soil to the exact requirements. This is one of

the most important tips on growing tomatoes in containers.

The right mix will give you better growth and production.

Use a loose well-drained soil that is generous in organic

matter. A good mix may contain one part each of perlite,

potting soil, compost and sphagnum peat moss.

Avoid garden soil, as this may be infested with soil

pests. If your compost mix is likely to harbor pests, avoid

that also.

A slow release fertilizer will release additional

nutrients slowly into the soil, providing the plant enough

food for optimum growth and high yield.


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Stake the plant depending on its growth habit. If you do

not provide an enclosure, your tomato plant may just invade

your porch or living room, as it has a tendency to spread.

Stake BEFORE you fill in the soil. Cages are excellent

stakes for tomatoes growing in containers.

Planting tomatoes in containers:

Once your plants are ready for the pot, its time to

plant them!

Fill the pot with the soil mix. It is advisable to fill

the pot up to three-fourths its capacity. If you notice the

soil settling down after watering, add in more soil.

Choose sturdy plants and place them close to the stake.

Water thoroughly. If you are growing plants from seed,

choose only one or two of the sturdiest seedlings. This is

to avoid overcrowding. After the plants reach 9 or 10

inches in height, keep only the sturdiest plant.

While removing the unwanted seedlings, do not pull the

plant out as this will disturb the roots. Snip the unwanted

one off, no matter how cruel it may seem!

Always keep only 1 plant per container.Taking care of your container-growing tomatoes:

Place the container in a site that is fully exposed to warmsunlight. Water the plants if they showANY signs of

wilting or dryness.

Hydrogels or water-holding gels will help retain waterin the soil till it is used by the plant. This is

helpful in areas that have intense heat or too much

sun.

When the plants begin to show active growth (by mid-July

or so) a fertilizer solution can be used for supplemental

feeding. Fertilize the plant with a good water-solublefertilizer once a week.

Never fertilize a plant when it is dry. Water it firstand then fertilize.

Growing tomatoes in containers is easy and fun if you are

vigilant enough to catch little pests and insects at the


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early stages. Check for diseases every day. As the plant is

away from the soil, you do not have to worry about fungal

infections and pests in the soil.

Once the plants start producing fruits, harvest the

fruits daily. This will not only keep pests away, but will

also induce further fruit formation.

Now that you know the basics here are some tips on

growing tomatoes in containers:

While filling the pot with soil, add a little sand.This weighs the pot down and prevents it from toppling

over.

Tomatoes grown in containers need a good supply ofphosphorous to induce high yield.

Plants contained in containers may need daily or morewatering.

When staking your container, choose designs that allowyou to put your hand in to pluck the fruits.

Keep your pot above the ground and out of contact withsoil. If kept in soil, roots of the plant will find

their way out of the pot through the holes and attach

themselves to the soil (clever little plants, arent

they!)

Water your plant when the top inch of soil gets dry.Insert a Popsicle stick into the soil to help you

gauge the dryness of your soil.

Keep the plants tidy by pruning and removing thesuckers that grow in the crotch.

Use a good quality soil all the way to the bottom ofthe pot

You need to put in at least six shovels of soil. Youcan use more if you want better plants with higher

yield. If you put in less, you are asking for trouble.

If ever there was a greedy feeder, thats your tomatoplant. Fertilize regularly.

Repot when the roots get pot-bound. If the plants aretoo big for re-potting, change the top 2 inches of

soil.

And thats all the know-how you need for beginning a

tomato garden indoors!


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Chapter 3: Growing Tomatoes Upside Down

I had been growing tomatoes on my kitchen sill for quite

some time when I caught scent of this one. I wasnt aware

that one could actually grow tomatoes upside down, but the

idea appealed to me. The more I read, the more I began todream of setting up some specimens the wrong-side-up way. I

could just imagine those ripe tomatoes hanging from the

top, ready to be picked!

With the information given here, you can also give your

eyes a break and plant some tomatoes upside down!

Growing tomatoes upside down is fun. More importantly, it

is also very productive. I have found that the plants grown

upside down seem to have a better yield. Scientifically, I

think this is because the branches are under less stress

when planted this way. Also, the leaves have better air

circulation.

Tomatoes may actually flourish if they are hung upside

down as there is no loss or wastage of nutrients. Since the

roots are directly receiving water and nutrients, there is

no lost runoff.

Ground dwelling pests can now cry a serious case of sour

tomatoes when they see the fruits dangling overhead. If

the plants are high enough, they are safe from pets at home

too.

Growing tomatoes upside down eliminates the need for ties

and stakes.

If none of the above reasons excite you enough, then how

about this one the fruits are easier to pick. You no

longer have to bend down and search for them. The plants

offer a treat for the eyes when they hang upside down and

bear clusters of blossoms and bunches of fruit.

So, what do you have to do?

The first thing you have to do while growing tomatoes

upside down is to use the seeds of smaller varieties. Use

ONLY varieties that are suited for container growing.

The next thing is to get a container that is big and

sturdy enough. Any container that has a sturdy hanging


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system can be used, though my personal favorite is a 5-

gallon paint bucket with handle. And I ALWAYS take a

helping hand with this one!

Instructions for growing tomatoes upside down:

First of all, clean the container thoroughly. Then start

out by drilling a hole at the bottom of the bucket. The

hole should be between 2 and 3 inches across.

Next, set the bucket up with the right side up, on some

structure so that the bottom hole is visible. Use a coffee

filter, or a newspaper to provide anchorage for the

seedling. Then gently thread the leaves and stem of the

seedling through the hole so that it hangs out of the

bottom of the bucket. Hold the plant up so that only 2

inches of the stem is protruding from the bottom.

Pack the bucket with soil. You have to pack the material

around the stem so that the plant does not slip through the

hole. I use sphagnum moss to pack the plant in tightly so

that there is no danger of it slipping through before the

roots have developed well.

Gently let go of the plant and allow it to rest on the

dirt. Add enough soil so that the root ball is about 2

inches below the soil line. You can add about 1 shovel of

compost to this mixture.

Carry the bucket to the structure you are going to hang

it from. Remember, the plant is at the bottom side of the


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bucket, so hold it high enough to prevent damage (I know

because Ive nicely done in a plant that way). Hang the

bucket by the handle and water thoroughly. Let the excess

water run through.

Add fertilizer, when needed, directly to the top of the

bucket. If you want the pot to look more decorative, grow

herbs or even flowers at the top.

Some of my buckets hold marigolds at the top. The splash

of color is simply gorgeous. If you plant something on top,

be sure that the tomatos roots get enough water. Sometimes

the herbs may get too thick to allow water penetration.

Herbs and parsley planted at the top act as livingmulch.

Unlike plastic and other artificial material, plant

mulches add organic matter to the soil. They also increase

the water-retaining capacity of the soil.

You may even try growing tomatoes upside down in plastic

milk jugs or water jugs. Drill holes into the bottom of the

jug. If your jugs are just right, they may fit snugly into

a milk crate. If so, you can just suspend the crate upside

down and have as many plants as your crate would allow.

A container with lid keeps the plant safe in case ofextreme heat or extreme rain.

As with tomatoes growing in upright containers, the

amount of water you need to put in will depend upon your

climate. The hotter it is, the more water you will need to

put in. Plants are programmed to grow towards the sun.

So, dont be alarmed if your tiny plants try to grow

upwards till they start yielding fruits.

If you ever notice the soil level getting low, add more

soil.

And thats all there is to it!

Some varieties of tomatoes actually look better when they

are turned topsy-turvy because they have weak floppy stems

that tend to grow bushy with leaves.


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Chapter 4: Places and Ways to Grow

Tomatoes are probably one of the easiest plants to grow -

plant them anywhere and they are happily producing fruits.

You can grow tomatoes in bags, you can grow tomatoes in

hanging baskets, you can grow tomatoes in bottles, you cangrow tomatoes in planters.you name it and a tomato plant

can just make it there too! Heck, you can even grow

tomatoes in hay!

But before we get into the various places you can grow

them in, lets look at some of the common denominations

you know, the things that ALL tomatoes need if they are to

grow well. Once you take care of these, you can put your

tomato plant anywhere and reap the fruits of your labor.

So, here are some of the most common queries answered for

you:

What kind of sunlight is needed in growing tomatoes?

Tomatoes need their bit of sunshine - badly. These are

warm-season plants that need at least 8-12 hours of

sunlight every day. In fact, tomatoes start setting out

fruits only after the nights have warmed to between 55-70

degrees. The ideal day-time temperature for growing

tomatoes is about 70 to 85 degrees F.

If you are starting your plants from seed, then plant thetomato seeds indoors. Tomato seeds do not need sunlight

till they have sprouted. Seeds will germinate quickly if

they are placed in a warm spot. So, you may want to keep

the seeds in a shallow tray and place the tray on the top

of the refrigerator or TV.

Soil temperature is as important as air temperature when

it comes to planting your tomatoes. Before planting

tomatoes outdoors optimum temperature of the soil should be

between 55-60F.

Many novices fail when it comes to planting. You willNOT

achieve early-fruiting tomatoes if you plant tomatoes

before the soil and air temperatures warm up. So, resist

the temptation to plant early! Early planting will buy you

little more than bragging rights.


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Tomato plants grow best when they receive plenty of

direct sunshine. Any less sunshine and you will see spindly

plants with healthy foliage. Plant them away from buildings

and trees, so they are not hampered by shade.

However, too much heat can be detrimental to the plant.

Ideally, the temperature should not go above 70 degrees F

at night and 85F during the day.

Should you add sugar to the hole while planting tomatoes?

In his book, Tony Kienitz, the author of The Year I Ate

My Yard says that its nice to give your soil a sweet

treat from time to time. This has two benefits:

Sugar in the soil kicks all the useful microbes intohigh gear. This is beneficial to the seedling as it

will be introduced into a soil medium that is bulging

at the seams with goodies.

Since sugar boosts the working of the beneficialmicrobes, these microbes will kill any harmful

nematodes in the soil.

Nematodes are microscopic worms that live in the soil and

feed off the roots of plants. There is no way you can shake

these off if they have attached themselves to the root of

your tomato plant. While some nematodes are beneficial,

others can wreck total destruction.

If you feel that your tomato plants are just not perky

enough or suspect that your soil is vulnerable to

nematodes, you can spread a half-pound bag of sugar over

the garden and then cover it up with compost.

Alternatively, you can drench the area that you intend to

plant with a solution of one-half cup sugar in a gallon of

water. Some experts believe that sugar dries out the

nematodes.

So, should you add sugar when planting tomatoes? It

depends on the kind of soil you have. While sugar does notaid in the nutritive or growth process, it helps fight

pests. And thats a good enough reason for most.


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What are the nutrients needed for growing tomatoes?

The three most important nutrients your tomato plants

need are:

Nitrogen

Phosphorous PotassiumSufficient amounts of Nitrogen (N) will promote the

growth of healthy leaves and stems. Nitrates in the soil

are easily leached away by rains. When the soil gets warm,

some bacteria extract Nitrogen from air. So, a fertilizer

that is rich in Nitrogen is aMUST for your tomato plants.

However, soil should be porous, so that the nitrogen does

not clog the roots of the plant.

A well-draining porous soil is the best medium forgrowing tomatoes because this allows air circulation

and facilitates seepage of the fertilizer to the roots

of the plant.

Excess of Nitrogen gets converted into Ammonia. The

effects of Ammonia on growing tomatoes is alarming, to say

the least. Ammonia is detrimental to root and leaf growth.

It also limits the growth of the shoots. Ammonia reducesfruit yield. You dont want that happening to your plants.

Phosphorous (P) helps develop healthy root system. It is

required in seed-beds because it helps in the establishment

of seedlings. Though older plants have a lower requirement

of Phosphorous, it is essential for the ripening of fruits.


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Potassium (K) helps grow healthy flowers and fruits and

makes the plants hardy and disease-resistant. P and K have

to be in a balanced ration to help achieve balanced growth.

The ideal ratio is 1:1.

Tomato plants need a proper balance of nutrients. The

fertilizer you choose should provide the above elements in

the ratio of 5-10-10 (N-P-K). These numbers will give you

the best results. A little more of this or a little less of

that can produce unexpected growth (or lack of it) and less

yield.

Providing too much nutrients will lead to a delay in

flower and fruit formation. When the plant starts to flower

and produce fruits, its nutritional requirement is very

high.

Should I be growing tomatoes using plant food?

Every plant needs certain basic nutrients to grow.

Usually, these nutrients are found in the soil and are

absorbed by the plant. But if the soil has become depleted

or if there is an imbalance in the nutrients, gardeners may

wish to provide a little extra tidbit to keep their

tomatoes well ahead. Tomato plants respond very well to

having extra feeds at the time of leaf growth, flowering

and fruition.

You can add liquid organic plant food to your growingtomatoes. All the ingredients used are natural and the

plant food contains all the essential nutrients and trace

elements to give you a bumper crop! Tomatoes grown using

organic plant food also retain their rich sweet taste.

However, too much of anything can be destructive. If you

put high-analysis plant food in the soil, it disrupts the

natural underground processes and may even kill the

beneficial microbes in the soil.

As a result plants may grow reasonably well because ofthe feed. But the changes in the soil chemistry will make

the plants more prone to pathogens, disease and damage.

Too much watering washes away the fertilizers. So, themore you water, the more food your plant will need.

One good tip is to water only when your plants show

signs of wilting in the mid-day heat.


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Incomplete plant foods can do more bad than good in the

long run. If we want to leave our children some decent

farming land, it is better to go easy on the plant food.

When growing tomatoes, why do they split open before they

are ripe?

Cracking is a disorder caused by soil moisture

fluctuations. When the fruit is in its mature green stage

and water supply to the plant is cut short, the fruit

begins to ripen. The outer skin becomes thicker and more

rigid to protect the fruit within. This is the plants

natural defense mechanism.

At this stage, if the water supply is suddenly restored,

the plant continues to grow as usual. So the fruit will get

bigger and will thus crack open the thick outer covering.

Some people over water the plants just after the fruits

come out. Over-watering may give you bigger fruits, but the

insides tend to be mealy and soft inside. Not at all what

you are looking for after months of hard work!

In case of excessive rains, pluck the fruits even if they

have just started to ripen. Fruits will continue to ripen

if you keep them warm enough. Just dont stuff the raw

fruits into the refrigerator.

Why do my growing tomatoes show yellow leaves?

As tomato plants start growing vigorously and forming

flowers and fruits, it is common to see the leaves at the

bottom curling up. Sometimes these leaves may even turn

yellow. No, this is not a disease, not is it due to

nutrient deficiency.


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The ways of Nature are surprising. Sometimes you have to

kill to bring about fresh growth. So is it with these

yellow leaves. They need to be plucked off with a clean

upward movement. Make sure to pluck off ALL the curled or

yellowing leaves. Leave the good leaves alone.

Removal of leaves or pruning increases the air

circulation around the plant. Do not pluck away too many

leaves at the same time.

On the other hand, if your tomato plants are showing

yellow leaves everywhere, this is a cause for worry. There

are three possible causes:

On intensely hot days, one should be careful not tosplash water on to the leaves. If water droplets fall

on the leaves, the leaves will burn and show yellowpatches.

Magnesium deficiency may cause the leaves to turnyellow and then turn brown. Try feeding the plant some

extra magnesium and observe the difference.

Smokers can hurt the leaves if they have not washedtheir hands before handling the plants. The Tobacco

Mosaic Virus is characterized by yellow leaves that

leave dark streaks in the middle.

Tomato plants are very sensitive to their environment. If

you live somewhere in Central Texas growing tomatoes andyellowing leaves come hand in hand. Gardening is something

of a challenge here. The biggest problems faced by a

gardener are heat, lack of rain, alkalinity and heaviness

of soil and a healthy assortment of pests. The summers can

be real killers.


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In case of extreme heat, grow the plants in clusters, so

that they can keep cool. Prune leaves so there is enough

air circulation. Keep the soil watered consistently to keep

leaves from wilting. On peak summer days, you may have to

water the plants more than twice.

Infected plants should be pulled out and discarded.

Companion planting: Is planting tomatoes next to potatoes

OK?

Companion planting is mainly aimed at keeping away pests

because certain herbs and flowers tend to ward off

intruders. As a general rule of thumb, mutually

beneficial pairings are advisable. Plants that attract the

same kinds of pests should be kept separate.

Both tomatoes and potatoes suffer from some common

diseases like late blight which is caused by a fungus. If

this fungus affects any one of your plants it will spread

like wildfire and you will end up losing both the tomatoes

as well as the potatoes. Therefore, NEVER plant tomatoes

near potatoes. In fact these should be kept as far away as

possible.

How can I grow tomatoes in Hoop Houses?

A hoop house is just what the name suggests- a house made

of hoops! A number of large hoops or bows are strungtogether and a sheet of greenhouse plastic covers them. So

you get a house for your plants.

A hoop house is not a traditional greenhouse because it

does not have a heater or a fan. In a hoop house heating is

done by the sun, and ventilation is done by the wind.


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With a hoop house in place you can pretend as if you are

enjoying summer in the peak of winter and that too

without packing your boxes. Hoop house protects your plants

from the cold winter months, and also keeps away pests.

Since your growing season will be extended, you will also

get more produce. By adding an inner layer of cover within

your hoop, you can continue producing right through winter.

This means fresh tomatoes - even at the Christmas dinner

table!

Hooping it up will give you the following advantages:

Protection from a storm. Since crops are protected from rainfall, incidence of

foliar diseases is reduced by more than half.

Nutrients in the soil do not get leached out by rain. Plants are protected from animals and birds.Your hoop house can cost anything between a few hundred

to a few thousand dollars. A commercial hoop house is

justified only if you are getting enough volume of fruits.

Mulching:

Now that we have covered the basics, lets get to the fun

part. Did you know that your tomato plant will grow on

different kinds of surfaces?

Almost anything that can hold and drain water can be

used. Container gardening allows you to grow tomatoes in

wooden boxes or bags. From the tips and instructions given

elsewhere in this e-book, you should be able to grow

tomatoes in hanging baskets and buckets, clay containers

and planters.

But what if you wanted to grow tomatoes in hay (yes, its

possible, you know)?

Good mulch is one that conserves moisture, beats pests

and keeps the plants clean. As the mulch decays (if it isorganic) it adds valuable nutrients to the soil. Straw and

vetch are some of the best mulch materials around.

For those of you who were lucky enough to catch Paula

Dean growing tomatoes in hay bales, this may be a piece of

cake.


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For those who didnt, well, here goes.

Cut a hole in a bail of hay. The hole should be about 8-

12 inches wide. A bail of hay can be quite heavy and

unwieldy for the delicate folks out there. So, get a bit of

help with this one. Fill the hole with potting soil a

good one. Then put the plant in. Presto! You have your

tomato plant growing nicely in a bale of hay.

Hay will attract snails especially as it starts getting

warmer. To avoid this, plant some marigolds also. This is

companion planting at its best.

The tomatoes grown in hay will grow just as well as in

pots. Whats more, since hay keeps warm and contains heat,

the plants will grow faster and produce fruits nicely.

Growing tomatoes in vetch:

If you have been a veggie gardener for some time, you

know that tomato growing is as much a science as an art.

The science part of it just took a giant leap forward

when scientists discovered some new ways that help produce

juicy fruit.

For a long time now, farmers and gardeners have been

putting their tomato plants in black plastic bags. This is

to cut down on weeds and to enable faster growing. Takingthis one step forward, scientists have discovered that

instead of using plastic mulch, one can easily use a type

of plant called vetch as mulch.

The Vetch belongs to the bean family. Farmers usually

grow hairy vetch in the winter months (when it grows

rapidly). Come spring, its time for the vetch to get mowed

down. Tomato plants are planted in the vetch cuttings.

Vetch is just as effective as plastic in keeping weeds out.

Additionally, vetch also supplies nutrients to the tomato

plants. Compared to plastic mulch, vetch-mulched plantsyield a bigger, healthier crop.


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Scientists unearthed two findings that are of special

importance:

Vetch-mulched plants showed greater resistance tofungal attacks and also aged slowly

Tomatoes that grow in vetch had bigger and strongerroot systems. This means that the plants end up

extracting more nutrients from the soil.

Since vetch is a legume, it also adds nitrogen to the

soil. Thus the need for fertilization decreases.

Growing tomatoes in sawdust:

Some people mulch their tomatoes with sawdust. This is

NOT one that Id recommend. But if you must try it out, put

in the sawdust about 3 inches deep in the potting mixture.

Decaying sawdust can cause nitrogen deficiency. One way

to circumvent this is to treat the sawdust with two

applications of a nitrogen fertilizer. The best way is to

avoid sawdust altogether.

How to grow tomatoes from cuttings:

If you want to get a head start with your tomato plants,

try growing them from healthy cuttings. If grown from seed,

most plants, especially the indeterminate varieties, must

reach several feet in height before the blooms appear.Cuttings help save precious time.

Cut a branch from your favorite variety and section it

into several cuttings. Each cutting should have two sets of

leaves. Once the cuttings are ready, clip off all the

leaves and leave just one leaf at the top. Place this

bundle in a jar of water near a sunny window.


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Since the lower sections of older plants already have

bumps on them (these are just roots waiting for a chance

to grow) rooting will take place fairly quickly. After the

cuttings root, pot them up and keep them outdoors to

receive their daily quota of sunlight. Regular

fertilization is a must. Use organic mulch to ensure thedevelopment of a sturdy root system.

One great tip for growing healthy tomatoes is to allowthe plants to develop extra roots. To do this, plant

tomatoes on their sides.

If you want to plant tomatoes sideways, first of all

remove all but the topmost leaves of the plant. Make a

small trench. Lay the plant on its side and gently bend the

tip of the plant skywards. As you fill in the trench, keep

this tip above the soil surface. Soon, you will find a rootsystem developing all along the stem. Only remember the

position of the root when you put in the stake.

How to start tomatoes from seeds:

While its easier to start your tomato plants from

cuttings, or to get your tomato plants from a local store,

heres what you need to do to start your plant from seed.

Get fresh seeds: Get your seeds from reputable commercial

sources, if you dont want all your efforts going to waste.Use a seed that is less than 4 years old.


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Disease resistance is an important thing to look for. You

may see the letters V,T,F or N in the description. This

indicates the disease resistance of the seed.

V- Verticillum Wilt

F- Fusarium Wilt N- Nematodes T- Tobacco Mosaic.The soil mix you use should be free of pests, eggs etc.

Therefore garden soil is not a good choice. Use a seed

starting mix that has a healthy amount of peat moss,

perlite and vermiculite. Combine this mix with sufficient

quantities of warm water. Let this mix stand overnight, so

that it gets uniformly wet. Your mix is ready if it is

damp like a wrung-out sponge.

Plant the seeds in, and keep them in a warm dark place.

Seeds do not need light. You can plant lots of seeds

together. Provide some sort of covering over the container

to retain moisture. Seeds will germinate within a week or

10 days.

As soon as the seedlings emerge from the soil, move them

into bright light.

After the seedlings have broken the earth, remove thefrailer plants and keep only the sturdiest of the lot. The

first leaves that the plant sprouts are actually the

cotyledons. These will fall off shortly. When the first

true leaf appears, the plant is ready for transplant.


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Types of tomatoes:

While growing tomatoes, it is important to choose the

right kind of tomato. Some tomatoes are grown for their

looks, while others are grown for their tangy, sugary

taste. Some tomato plants are just more convenient - the

indeterminate variety is more suited to indoor gardening.

Plan your tomatoes before you plant them. Buy a variety

that most suits your needs. Do you need them for soups,

bottling or immediate consumption. Will you be storing the

fruits? All these considerations help you decide what

variety of tomato you should grow.

Planting heirloom tomatoes:

Heirloom tomatoes are known for their variety, texture,

flavor and aroma. Heirlooms are visually appealing too,

coming as they do in ripened colors of purple, white and

even striped!

In gardening parlance, heirloom refers to all varieties

of a vegetable that have been openly pollinated and are at

the very least, about fifty years old. These varieties are

cherished because they come from an era that predates the

good old refrigerator, commercial farms and grocery stores.

These fruits were grown purely for flavor and not for shelf

life and have been passed on from generation to generation.

Your heirloom tomatoes may not be as picture perfect or

as hardy as the ones in the store. But theres no beating

the taste and flavor of heirloom tomatoes.

There are over 500 varieties of heirloom tomatoes to

choose from. Some of the most popular are: Black Cherry

Tomatoes, Black Krim, Orange Banana Tomato, Cherokee Purple

and Black Russian Tomatoes.

Heirloom tomatoes are a favorite with the hobby gardener,

not so with commercial farmers. Firstly, heirlooms are lessreliable than the hybrid varieties. Heirlooms also take

their time in producing fruits and may have a smaller yield

in comparison. Their vines tend to run wild and the plants

need constant tending.

Heirlooms also do not tolerate much abuse. Heirloom

tomatoes are more difficult to grow as they are susceptible


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to sunburn and will rot if they so much as touch the

ground.

The one thing you have to do while growing heirloom

tomatoes is to continuously stake the bush as it grows so

that the plant is kept off the ground. Heirloom tomato

plants are best trellised using an overhead wire. If you

plant more bushes than what you think you need, you will

get enough quantity of fruits.

Plant your heirloom tomatoes 18-25 inches apart. They

need lots of air circulation. Prune the plants by removing

the suckers and leave only two main stems.

Work your fertilizer into the ground before planting. Use

a 10-10-10 fertilizer mix for best results.

Here are some of my favorite heirloom varieties:

If you are looking for an unusually scrumptious tomato

and a deep reddish colored fruit, you might consider

growing Black Krim tomatoes. It has a robust and spicy

flavor with a slightly salty tang. However it does tend to

crack if proper care is not taken. But once you have popped

one of these beauties into your mouth, you just wont care!

If you want to add some easy-to-spear tomatoes to your

salad, growing grape tomatoes is your best option. Grape

tomatoes are becoming more popular these days and have been

waging a winning battle with cherry tomatoes. Grape

tomatoes are only a third the size of cherry tomatoes and

have more flavor and spice.

However, grape tomatoes are more labor-intensive. Since

they are so small, picking fruits is a chore too. They are


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aptly named, because they tend to cluster like grapes in a

vineyard. But each fruit has to be picked individually.

Grape tomatoes are extremely sensitive to cold. They also

need to be fed regularly. Fertilizer is key.

With more sugar content than the cherries, grapes have

become fast food and finger food and are extremely kid-

friendly. So hey, if you want to snack on a delicious warm

grape tomato, your own garden is the best place to pick it

from!

If, like me, you like to cook your tomatoes down to

sauces and ketchups, you can think of growing a variety

that has less water content try growing Roma tomatoes.Roma is a popular variety of Paste tomatoes. Its solid,

meaty flesh makes processing easy. Roma is also a

relatively hardy variety and is quite resistant to early

blight.

Though cherry tomatoes are being pushed to the side, they

are very easy to grow tasty too!

Cherry tomatoes can be grown in almost any climate.Water the cherries generously, and pick fruits when the

color is glossy and even. The right texture should be

somewhere between soft and firm. Growing cherry tomatoes is

easy they almost catch on like weeds, if you give them

the right conditions.


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Cherry tomatoes are nice to eat too. They are generally

served whole because they are very juicy and pack an

unbelievable number of seeds too.

Chapter 5: Growing in Buckets

I always dreamed of growing buckets of tomatoes no, Im

not talking about the quantity, but of growing tomato

plantsWITHIN buckets. As I had a fairly large plot of

land, I never really felt the need. Then, one day I had a

free afternoon and a shiny new paint bucket that was almost

begging to be used.

I got to work!

To my delight, I discovered that the right soil, lightand nutrients are all you need and of course a big

bucket, if you want to enjoy garden fresh tomatoes anywhere

on the planet!!

Square-foot gardening (or container gardening, as it is

better known) is all about planting anything in the

smallest of pots. If planted properly, you can feed an

entire family right out of a couple of buckets.

Here are some of the basics you need to know while

planting tomatoes in pots or buckets:

Get the right container:

Containers come in various shapes, sizes and textures.

While I like to stick to paint buckets, clay pots, barrels

cut in half, pails and even cartons make nice containers.

Metal containers are not advisable since roots of plants

may get frozen or burnt when they are kept in metal (now

you know why we learnt about conductivity in school!).

While growing tomatoes, 5 gallon paint bucket is what I

find most suitable. They are just the right size, not too

big or too small.

Clay pots are a natural choice, though plastic is among

the most practical of all container materials. If you

select clay pots, go for unglazed clay pots as these allow

air and water to flow through the walls. Good plastic pots


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or buckets are tough, tolerate temperature fluctuations

well and retain moisture.

What size pot to be used for planting tomatoes is left to

you, though you will need a container that isAT LEAST:

12-15 inches in diameter, and Can take in 6-7 shovels of dirtA big pot is always recommended. Pots that are too small

may lead to all sorts of problems, especially if you are a

novice. They may topple over, get root bound, dry out or

rot. If your container can hold 5 gallons of soil, your

veggies will have no problems in growing.

The containers you use should always be sterile. For

this, wash and rinse the container thoroughly before use.

Drill some holes at the bottom of the container so that

excess water can run off. Proper drainage is the key to

growing healthy tomatoes, so the pot must have bottom

drainage and enough headroom for watering.

The right soil mix:

The highest quality potting mix is what you should find

for container gardening. Some of the best materials to use

include sphagnum peat moss, composted bark, perlite,

vermiculite and sand.

If you are buying the potting mix, look for bags that

list quality ingredients. A standard mix can barely sustain

satisfactory plant growth. A premium mix has additional

wetting agents, fertilizer and water holding capacity which

enhances growth.


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The soil you use should be porous and light, allowing

water and fertilizer to penetrate to the bottom of the pot.

Adding sand helps anchor and weigh down the pot.

Real soil is not recommended if you are planting tomatoes

in a flower pot or container. Its too heavy and compacts

too much.

The right time:

Tomatoes do not like cold sodden soil. So, never plant

too early. Even if the tomato plants growing in pots are

protected from frost they will still be vulnerable to

pathogens in the cool and damp soil.

Once you have planted them, choose the sunniest spot to

keep them. Keep only ONE plant per pot. If you live near

the coast, try a variety that does well in your area.

Plant them really deep. Those little hairs sticking out

along the stem will grow into life-sustaining roots.

Planting sideways allows the plant to develop roots along

the side.

Staking, pruning and watering:

When you are planting tomatoes in buckets, it is

important to stake them properly. When staking, choose a

structure that is strong and sturdy. You should be able toput your hands in to pluck the fruits. Staking helps to

increase yield and prevent diseases and rotting.

Indeterminate varieties just cant seem to stop growing.

To keep things under control, ongoing pruning is an

absolute must. Prune early because it encourages strong

stem growth.

Where you keep your pot is important. Always remember

that your pot needs 8 hours of intense sunlight. Protect

the floor underneath the pots so that water does not spillover.

Plants grown in pots or buckets need a little help when

it comes to pollination. Tap the plant gently to give it a

bit of a shiver. The pollen will then fall on the

blossoms. Do this several times when new blossoms appear.


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Armed with this information, you can become a pro at

growing champion tomatoes in little spaces.

Chapter 6: Staking Tomatoes

A tomato plant grows fast and wild. And it really gets

BIG! If left wild, the plant soon sprawls out into a big

messy heap. When fruits begin to appear, matters go from

bad to worse. The plant is weighed down by the enormous

weight it carries.

If the fruits or leaves are in contact with the ground,

the plant will be lost to rot, pests and diseases. You can

expect a 15-55% loss depending upon the variety you are

growing.

Propping the plant after it has reached this sorry state

is of no use. Any attempt to re-train growth will result in

breakage of the stems.

On the other hand, a well-staked tomato plant will

produce excellent tomatoes more than what you can keep in

your refrigerator. By anticipating the unwieldy nature of

the stems, you will be able to direct growth. This will

keep leaves and fruits away from the ground.

Although staking tomatoes is a time-consuming job, it is

well worth the hard work.

Some advantages of staking:

Less occurrence of rot Reduced occurrence of leaf blight Bigger fruits develop because plants put more energy

into fewer fruits

Easier to spray Easy to harvest Makes the plant look neat and cleanDisadvantages:

Staking takes time, energy and quite a lot of effort Staked tomatoes are more prone to cracking Staked plants are vulnerable to blossom end rot and

sunscald problems


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Staked plants need more water Staked plants need some kind of live mulch that

helps to retain moisture.

So, should you stake your tomato plant? The answer

depends on the kind of tomatoes you are growing and thelocation. Container gardening is much better off with a

stake.

So, what are the best ways to stake tomatoes?

Well, there is not any one way. Folks do it any number of

ways and so long as the purpose is achieved, one cannot

fault any system.

Still, there are 3 main systems used commonly:

Method 1:

Long wooden stakes that are at least one square inch

across are driven deep into the ground. Space the stakes

about 2 feet apart. Tomato plants need to get a lot of air

circulation if they are to grow well.

Plant the seedling several inches away from your stake.

As the plants grow, prune it down to a single stem.

Since side shoots and suckers grow rapidly, pruning isa continuous operation.

Allowing side shoots to develop will defeat the purpose

of pruning because the plant will soon sprawl in all

directions.

Tie the main stem to the stake using a soft twine. Tie

loosely; otherwise the twine will cut into the stem.

Best ways to stake tomatoes #1: Paint wooden stakeswith a wood preservative to prevent wood rot. As far

as possible use natural stakes in stead of

commercially available wooden stakes.

Method 2:

Circular cages are the easiest stakes to set up and also

the costliest. These require more space per plant, and are

most suited to container gardening. Plants staked this way


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do not require tying because the leaves grow through the

wire.

As the plant grows, pull individual shoots through thewire. This will support the plant.

Method 3:

A double wire trellis is something of a compromise

between staking and caging. It is less expensive than a

cage and less time consuming than making a stake and

planting it. Several sets of wires run from one end pole to

another. Plants grow between these wires. Pruning is

necessary to keep the side shoots from sprawling away.

To avoid the buildup of soil insects and pests, rotatethe tomatoes with another trellised crop like

cucumbers.

Use stakes that are at least six to eight foot high.

Mulching, staking and pruning are important for weed

control.

How to fertilize tomatoes:

You are what you eat that applies to plants too. The

little tomato plant growing sprightly in your garden needs

good food if it is to produce tasty tomatoes.

You can make out healthy fertilized plants from the

flavor and taste of the fruits they produce. Plants need a

proper balance of nutrients. The best fertilizer to use

on tomatoes should have Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium

in the following proportion: 5-10-10 or 10-10-10.

If you are using hot manure (manure that is straight

from the pack and is still wet is called hot manure), you

will be killing your plants. Allow the manure to compost at

least for 6 months before you use it.

If you are using dried and rotted manure, mix it with

bone meal. This will give it the right nutrient mix. This

combination ensures good tasting champion tomatoes.

There is a technique to fertilizing the tomato plants.

Tomato plants are like little children they are fussy if

you dont feed them the right way. Sprinkle fertilizer mix


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about a foot from the base of the plant. Make sure to

encircle the entire plant. Cover the fertilizer mix with 2-

3 inches of top soil.

Mulch the soil with grass or straw. Then soak the area

with water. The water will help the nutrients seep into the

soil. Mulch will help retain the water for longer periods.

Fertilize once every 2-3 weeks and go by the instructions

on the label of your product.

DO NOT allow the fertilizer to come into contact withany part of the plant. This may burn the plant part or

cause other problems

Chapter 7: Watering

Tomato plants are warm weather plants. They love and need

lots of sunshine and heat. It is only natural to plant them

where they get the lions share of heat and sunshine.

Watering is therefore a very important aspect of growing

tomatoes. Over watering can result in mealy, cracked and

soft tomatoes that are tasteless and insipid. You dont

want THAT after all the back-breaking labor of love youve

put into your lovely little plants.

As a general rule, in the absence of rain, water your

tomato plants once every week or ten days. Water the soil

so that it is moist from 6-10 inches deep. If you use light

spray sprinklers, you may need an hour to soak the soil

well. A rose-fan sprinkler may get the same job done within

15-20 minutes.

Daily watering isNOT a good idea UNLESS the weather and

climate dictates it. Watering every day messes up the

structure of the garden soil. The soil becomes too compact

and looses its fluffiness. Thus air exchange is almostreduced to nil and roots are deprived of precious air and

food. You will end up with sickly yellowish plants.

Watering is tricky business if you are growing the plants

indoors. When your plants are in containers and you are

still new to the trade, there is every chance that you over


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water them. Too much water will rot the plant and too

little will shrivel it up.

Plants growing in pots need more water than thosegrowing in the soil.

When growing your tomato plants indoors, water just

enough to keep the mix as moist as a damp sponge.

Consistent watering is the key to avoiding blossom end rot.

Tomatoes do not like to dry out. You can lose an entire

set of fruits by letting the plants dry out just once.

A regular watering pattern is very important. Avoid overhead watering; always water from the base Avoid splashing soil or water on the leaves.

If your plant constantly suffers from afternoon-induced droopiness, it is not getting enough water.

Avoid watering tomato plants in the evening.When growing your tomatoes in a tunnel or in a hoop

house, special care should be taken to avoid drought stress

on the plant. Plants grown like this are deprived of rain.

So irrigation matters a lot.

Critical growth periods that need adequate watering are:

Flowering, Fruit setting, and Fruit development.So, how much is too much, and when is it too little?

Thats a tricky question, because the amount of water you

need to give is dependent on the kind of climate and soil

quality in your locality.

Tomatoes and places:

NJhas long been famous for its fabulous tomatoes and

crunchy sweet corn. In New Jersey, they grow what is called

the Jersey tomato; and I guess weve never heard of a

Florida tomato or a Pennsylvania tomato because Jersey

tomatoes have a lip-smacking flavor of their own. In fact,

its here that they taste much more like a fruit than a

vegetable.


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The soil in NJ is just too good it is alkaline and

highly porous. If you are on the lookout for the best

tomatoes to grow in NJ, rest assured. Almost any variety

will do because the soil is so rich in nutrients that you

cannot go wrong. NJs climate is just perfect for tomatoes.

You can plant in early June or even wait till the end of

the month.

Giants like Beefsteak, Big Beef and Beef Master do well

here. Well, so do many of the heirloom varieties. Truth be

told, tomatoes just taste better in the NJ soil!

Planting tomatoes inMontana is tricky - or rather

challenging. Extreme temperatures, dry climate, poor soil

and water shortages are some of the more common problems.

But therein lies the challenge and the fun.

While planting tomatoes in Montana, choose the early mid-

season cultivars. If your garden is in the mountain

valleys, choose very early cultivars. Keep containers well

watered and maintain the air temperature at about 60-70

degrees F until the seedlings are up.

If you are wondering about how to grow tomatoes in

Oklahoma, your biggest enemies would be the hot dry winds

and the dry leathery soil of the area. This can cause

blossom end rot and blossom drop in tomato plants. The

solution: Plant heat-resistant variety. Use straw or grass

mulch, so that evaporation is kept to a minimum. Overwatering and over feeding the plants (especially with

excessive Nitrogen) should be avoided.

Tomatoes are a cornerstone of the Southern diet. So,

growing tomatoes inAL is really easy. Actually, I dont

think there is a single family in the south that does not

own at least one tomato plant.

Texas gardeners face some stiff challenges including

soil, climate and pest problems. In sandy soil, tomatoes

are prone to blossom end rot and they may also suffer fromdry spells. Growing tomatoes in Texas means supplying extra

nutrients by adding several inches of compost or well-

rotted manure.

Tomato blight or Late Blight is your most vexing

problem if you are growing tomatoes in British Columbia.

The first symptom is often a black/brown lesion on the


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stem. This then spreads to the leaf. The humid weather does

not help, with plants being prone to moulds and blotches.

Home garden tomatoes are the most affected because plants

are often left untended and the diseased plant are allowed

to remain. There is no confirmed blight-resistant variety

although some farmers have reported that cherry tomatoes

often exhibit more resistance.

Although the tomato is usually touted as being a warm

weather plant, growing tomatoes inAlaska is POSSIBLE and

quite successful too. Cool and short growing season,

filtered sunlight and frigid soil have led growers to grow

their plants in a greenhouse. Determinate tomatoes are the

favorites here since they do well in short seasons. These

cultivars have less foliage and this permits maximum light-

penetration.

Canada has adapted tomato varieties by breeding andgrowing special varieties in Canada. There are over a 100

kinds. The Canabec Super, MacPink, Alacrity, Heraldare

some of the best varieties if you are planting tomatoes in

Canada.

In short, the cultivar you use should be most suited to

your area, weather and soil. If a particular area is prone

to certain diseases, use strains that are resistant.

Plant care: how to take care of tomatoes organically

Growing your tomatoes organically allows you to enjoy the

pleasure of fresh eating without the concerns of ingesting

accompanying pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

The first thing to do is to select a good variety. Choose

one that has a good track record in your locality. Grow

disease-resistant hybrids and heirlooms that can be relied

upon. That way, you have the maximum probability of

success, which makes it easy for you to resist synthetic

pesticides.

Nurture worms. As slimy as that may sound, this is one

great way to build good organic soil. Good soil will

nurture strong roots. Feed your tomatoes with organic food

every alternate week. Use fish emulsion with water or use a

balanced organic fertilizer. These feeds will steadily

release nutrients into the soil.


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Grow mulched tomatoes on tall stakes. This will provide

enough air circulation, retain moisture and keep the plants

away from the ground. Water them consistently. Do not allow

them to dry up between periods because this places

unnecessary stress on the plant. Soil temperature and water

levels should be moderate.

Low-impact pest control steps can be taken. Encourage

beneficial insects and spray with organic controls.

Did you know that soapy water helps keep whiteflies atbay?

Harvest tomatoes when they are just starting to ripen.

Growing tomatoes naturally is a great way to ensure the

unspoiled juicy tenderness and lush flavor of real

tomatoes.

Enjoy tomatoes for a longer season: how to grow tomatoes

hydroponically

Garden fresh tangy tomatoes can only be enjoyed during

the short sunny growing season. For the rest, most people

have to depend on plastic-skinned insipid store-bought

tomatoes. Thats sad.

Take heart! You are a gardener, so you should be able to

enjoy the taste of unblemished homegrown tomatoesthroughout the year.

How??

Growing tomatoes hydroponically means that you are

growing the plants in containers, within your house, under

arc lights thus providing heat and lightARTIFICIALLY. In

the controlled environment that you supply, you can meet

the exact requirements of the plant. This enables you, the

gardener, to enjoy continuous harvest throughout the year.

When growing tomatoes hydroponically, it is suggested

that you start your tomatoes from seed. Use pre-soaked

rock-wool cubes and keep the tray covered to retain

moisture. Once vegetation appears, the seeds should move

into light immediately.


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There are different ways of growing tomatoes

hydroponically. Space restriction, plant size and type of

tomato should all be considered while selecting the system.

Light, pH and temperature are the chief factors that

influence plants grown hydroponically. Indoor pollination

should be done manually by the gardener.

Well, the hardy tomato lover has taken it upon him to

grow tomatoes just about anywhere in any condition. All it

takes is a bit of hard work and some commonsense.

Chapter 8: Pruning

What do you do when your tomatoes decide that its o.k.

to start shooting off in any-which-way they choose? You are

worried that all the excess growth is going to deprive you

of juicy, tasty fruits and rightly so. Its time to take

out the shiny blades!

The intrinsic vigor and hardiness of the tomato plant

guarantees a successful harvest, no matter what treatment

is meted out to the plant. However, rapid growth can lead

to developmental problems.

Just like any other plant, tomato plants are solar-

powered sugar factories. For the first 30-45 days of its

life, all the sugar produced by the plant is directedtowards new leaf growth. This is the time when you see

rapid plant growth. Some plants double in size every 10-15

days.

When the plant begins to make more sugar than is needed

by a single growth tip, it sprouts branches and flowers. In

the next week or so, the entire character of the plant

undergoes a change.

If unsupported the side branches, leaves and filling

fruit will drag it down. If the main stem is successful inits craving for the horizontal position, the next stage is

even more drastic.

A main stem lying on the ground will branch profusely.

Left to its own resources, an indeterminate tomato vine

will soon become an unsightly, sickly and tangled mess.


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If you want to avoid this, let your pruning instincts

take charge!

In general, if growth is limited to only ONE stem, the

plant focuses all its energy on the fruits on that stem.

More stems mean more fruits, but the fruits will be

smaller.

As a tomato plant grows and matures, it starts sprouting

side stems that will grow almost like the main stem IF

growth is not curtailed. Soon suckers appear and weaken the

plant.

The main stem has to be strong because it has to feed all

the other stems as well as supply food to all the parts of

the plant. Side stems that appear below the first flower

cluster compromise the strength of the main stem.

A good tomato plant is one that maximizes its efficiency

in photosynthesis (so that its busy making bigger and

juicier fruits) while minimizing the risk of disease. This

can be achieved by:

Ensuring that the plant is away from the ground Ensuring that individual leaves get plenty of sunshineIf a leaf is perennially in the shade, it will use up

more sugar than what it produces. Since there are no free

rides in the plant world (you thought they were better thanhumans, did you?) the leaf will eventually turn yellow and

drop off.

Plants that grow in an uncontrolled fashion start

producing fruits about 3 weeks later than well-staked,

pruned plants. Fruits tend to be on the small side and come

in a single big, late harvest.

What are the advantages of pruning tomato plants?

A properly pruned plant shows all its leaves to thesun. Most of the sugar produced by the plant is directed

towards fruit growth and development

Large fruits are produced till the end of the growingseason.

Plant leaves are relatively free from diseases.


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Tips and techniques:

Keep tomatoes free of side stems that grow below thefirst flower cluster.

To encourage strong stem growth, tie the plants totheir support only AFTER the first flowers appear.

Determinate tomatoes do not require extensive pruning just remove all the suckers below the first fruit

cluster.

Do not keep more than four stems on your indeterminatevariety.

In case of a multi-stemmed plant, let the second stemgrow from the node ABOVE the first fruit. Keeping

branches close to the main stem will make them

vigorous while disallowing any competition with themain stem.

Simple pruning Vs. Missouri pruning.

There are two ways to deal with an unwanted sucker!

Simple pruning is when you simply pinch off the sucker

entirely. This can be done only when the sucker is still

very small and succulent. The sucker snaps off leaving

behind a small wound which will heal quickly. Avoid using

scissors or knife because the resulting stump may get

infected.

But what do you do if you missed the wily sucker and it

has already become too leathery? Not to worry. Use a blade.

In Missouri pruning, the sucker is allowed to grow till

it produces 2-4 leaves. Then its tip is pinched off. The


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idea is that the extra leaves will help the plant in

photosynthesis. The disadvantage is that new suckers will

inevitably develop along the side stems - which obviously

means, more pruning!

If you have let your sucker get too large, then Missouri

pruning is the best way to manage growth. In this case,

removing just the growing tip will be less of a shock to

the plant when compared to removing a foot or so of the

stem.

Suckers grow quickly during the hot months. No matter how

many there are (and some just sprout in 2-3 days), get

heartless and pinch them all of.

As you reach the end of the season (about a month or so

before the first frost), there is one final pruning chore.

The plants need to be topped. The fruits that have formed

must get every opportunity to grow to their fullest. To

this end, remove all the growing tips. This final pruning

can make the difference between hard, green fruits that

need to be hurriedly picked and ripe, succulent home grown

tomatoes.

While pruning, every gardener needs to put a lid on those

nurturing instincts and snip away without mercy. Sometimes

you need to do something bad to get something good!

Chapter 9: Starting from a Seed

What is it about the tomato that has captivated humanity

for ages? As they get more into the process of planting,

nurturing and harvesting, most gardeners begin to stock up

on seeds. They use seeds from their prime fruits to grow

plants that are healthy, strong and tasty.

Starting tomato plants from seed is not difficult if you

plan the process well before time. You have to start theseeds about 6-8 weeks BEFORE the last frost date in your

area.

Your first concern is to select the right kind of seeds.

If you are going to collect seeds from your own tomatoes,

its a bit tricky. Tomato seeds are enclosed in a gel-like

sac that contains growth inhibitors. This prevents the


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seeds from sprouting inside the tomato. If you allow the

fruit to rot and ferment, this covering will fall off (as

it happens in nature).

The first step is to choose seeds from your best

tomatoes. Once you have separated the seeds through

fermentation, do not wipe them dry. Just keep them in a

warm sunny spot and make sure that they do not clump. Store

the seeds in an air tight container.

Label and date your seeds. Chances are that you mayforget the date or some curious person in the house

may unwittingly throw away your hard work.

Before planting the seeds, make sure that the container

you use is sterile. Use a sterile starting material and

plant the seeds about inches deep. Water lightly and keep

the seeds consistently moist till germination occurs. Keep

the temperature between 75-90 degrees F.

You can start seeds directly in t

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