Tomatoes require sun, humus rich moist soil and good air circulation to produce good crops.
Tomatoes can be grown in the ground, in pots, or hydroponically.
Growing tomatoes from seed.
With a wide range of heirloom tomato seeds available growing tomatoes from seed is a rewarding experience.
Seeds can be started in seedling trays or pots indoors or in a greenhouse 2 months before the last frost.
Sow seeds at a depth 2-3 times the diameter of the seed either in individual pots or in larger trays. Keep moist and warm, make sure pots are placed in a well lit position.
When ready to transplant to larger pots, simply separate seedlings and 'pot up', stems can be partly buried for additional plant strength as tomato plants will simply put on extra root growth on buried stems.
Transplant seedlings to the garden and keep well watered, most tomato plants require support, use a tomato cage or stakes.
Growing tomatoes in the ground.
Prepare the soil in a sunny position, dig in well rotted compost and some cow manure. Place stakes 24inches apart and the plant seedlings at the base of each stake. Water in well with a liquid fertilizer or compost tea.
Pinch off the lower leaves from the seedlings when they are 6 - 8 inches tall. Tie tomato plants to the stake as they grow for support.
Mulch tomato plants to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Try to keep moisture levels even, tomatoes do not like to dry out, and they do not like to be waterlogged.
Avoid fertilizers that high in nitrogen, nitrogen promotes foliage growth, you want fruit, so look for fertilizers that are balanced or high in phosphorus. We use liquid fertilizers once every two weeks.
Roma Tomatoes grown from seed.
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