| Most people who like growing tomatoes prefer to | | | | Once your plants are ready to plant in the garden it is |
| grow them from the seeds rather than from the | | | | important that the soil around the plant receive |
| tomato plants from the nursery. Although there are | | | | sufficient water right after transplanting. Three to four |
| many varieties of tomato plants which are good for | | | | liters of water is necessary to assist in reducing the |
| first-timers like Better Boy, Creole and Brandywine, | | | | shock of the transplant. |
| many seasoned gardeners prefer growing tomatoes | | | | And a final step is to insure that you place your plants |
| from seeds as they feel that this helps prevent any | | | | deep in the soil. With your finger hold the position of |
| soil or plant contamination that may have been brought | | | | where the current soil and the stem of the plant meet. |
| to the greenhouse and nurseries from outside | | | | You will want to bury the plant in the new garden soil |
| environments. | | | | at least one to two inches deeper! If there are small |
| A good tomato garden needs a very sunny place. | | | | branches within this distance simple break them off. |
| Lighting is of utmost importance to tomatoes and the | | | | The additional portion of the stem/vine that you are |
| seedlings might end up being very leggy looking for light | | | | planting deeper in the soil will produce many additional |
| if the ambience isn't very bright. | | | | roots to help support the plant. The more roots you |
| Whether you decide to use seedlings from your local | | | | have, the healthier plant and fruit you will receive. Don't |
| nursery or grow your own from seeds, tomato plants | | | | worry about how short it looks, it'll grow quickly! |
| require good, compost rich, slightly acidic, nutrient rich | | | | As your plants grow you will need to pinch off dead |
| soil. As organic content in the soil is extremely good for | | | | branches and small suckers that grow in the joints |
| the growing tomato plants, spreading the compost well | | | | between branches. Plucking the dead leaves usually at |
| over the top layer of 2-3 inches will be good to | | | | the bottom will also spark better growth. These |
| provide them the nutrients they need. The ideal | | | | bottom leaves usually have fungal infection and attract |
| compost percentage is around 25-40 kilograms per | | | | ground pests. Pinching leaves will help sunlight reach |
| every square meter of soil. If you intend to apply | | | | the tomatoes which are ripening as well. However, as |
| fertilizers to your soil mixture, make special note of the | | | | we know, leaves are required for photosynthesis and |
| N-P-K distinction on the labels. N stands for the amount | | | | hence too much pruning will weaken the plants, don't |
| of nitrogen, P for potassium, and K for phosphorous. | | | | become too over zealous. |
| Nitrogen is a growth nutrient and is the least required. | | | | And here is the hard part. As your blossoms turn to |
| Your plants will grow naturally. The other two, | | | | small maturing tomatoes you may need to thin the |
| potassium and phosphorous are very helpful for the | | | | clusters. This is always difficult to pinch off a perfectly |
| color of the tomatoes and the strength of the vines. | | | | good young tomato but it is necessary to allow growth |
| If you start your seedlings indoors, then caution must | | | | for others. Select the smaller, possibly deformed or |
| be taken in making the transition to the outdoor garden | | | | pest damaged and carefully remove. While the plants |
| environment. Moving the tomato seedlings to the | | | | are young and tomatoes are just beginning to grow, |
| tomato garden should be done carefully. It consists of | | | | pinching off the tips of the branches will force the |
| 3 main steps which will ensure that the plants live after | | | | growth of the tomato fruit verses the vine. |
| being transplanted to the garden. | | | | An finally, always insure that your tomato plants get |
| The first and most important step is called hardening, | | | | plenty of water. Tomato plants need a lot of sunlight |
| or conditioning of the young seedlings to the outdoors. | | | | and ample water to flourish. Water should be supplied |
| While still in the starter pots the plants should be placed | | | | at regular intervals. |
| outdoors in the shade to introduce them to the sunlight | | | | Treat your tomato plants as if they were children! Lots |
| but with enough protection that the leaves are not | | | | of attention, everything in moderation, and be |
| burned. Many times a light mesh cloth or screen is | | | | consistent (watering). |
| used to provide necessary protection. Three to four | | | | Happy gardening. |
| days should be sufficient. | | | | |