Creating The Juciest Tomatoes Ever
Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits grown in the garden. Tomatoes are used in a variety of dishes and sauces, including salsa and spaghetti sauce. If you are interested in learning more about growing organic tomatoes, continue reading.
When it comes to growing large, beautiful tomatoes, you must start early in the year with your site preparation. Finding the perfect spot for tomatoes involves finding a location with at least seven hours of sunlight.
Once you have located the optimum place for your tomatoes, it is time to begin getting the soil ready for planting season. Grab your tiller and till the area up. Run the tiller across the garden daily for the next four days to loosen the soil.
After you have loosened the soil, add a mixture of peat moss and compost to your garden soil and mix it into the soil. For every twenty five square feet of gardening soil, add one square foot of the mixture. Adding peat moss and compost to your garden helps your garden maintain its moisture content.
After your soil is ready, it is time to begin choosing your tomato plants. There are many varieties of tomatoes available. There are varieties that are better for canning than others. Additionally, some varieties have been hybridized to be resistant to certain fungi and bacteria. So it is important to carefully consider each variety when choosing.
Plan your rows carefully because tomato plants need plenty of space to grow. Each tomato plant should be planted at least two feet apart. Planting too close will result in smaller yields because tomatoes need plenty of air circulation to help avoid blossom rot.
When you are ready to plant your tomato plants, begin by drawing a straight line with your hoe. Then gently remove each plant from its growing container. After removing the plant from the container, gently rub the roots to loosen them. Then, gently place each plant into the prepared rows.
Once all of the plants are in their respective location, gently cover the plant's roots up making sure that the plant is upright. Water each individual plant well.
To help your plant develop deep roots, you need to water deeply every couple of days. Each plant should receive at least three to five gallons of water a week to ensure your plants stay healthy. Additionally, apply two to three inches of mulch around each plant to help the soil retain moisture.
Tomato plants need to be supported to keep tomatoes off of the ground. There are many support options; however, most gardeners prefer tomato cages. These cages should be placed around the tomato plants while they are small for best results.
Finally, know the pests that are common in your area. By understanding the common pests, you can take immediate action should pests attack your plants. Be advised that chemicals should only be the last resort.
When it is harvest time, you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest if you follow the instructions listed above.
