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