Tomatoes Ebook

Tomato Growing Hanbook!
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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
Introduction
From: John Parker Dear Gardener, youre anything like I was, this story may sound strangely 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 true blue 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 online guide 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: would be much more difference between tomatoes? When you plummet. did you know that your gardening successful if you knew the determinate and indeterminate mix these up your yields will
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 just about 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 it offers. 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.
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. You have 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 right way. 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 DEFINITELY guide you to that bumper crop you have been dying to see. So, lets get started right away!
Chapter 1: Growing Tomatoes

Absolutely NOTHING can beat the taste of warm, homegrown, 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 growing tomatoes 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 excellent ketchups 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 KNOW your variety. Determinate varieties grow rapidly to a
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? Try planting 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 composted soil to start your seeds. Compost is good for maturing seedlings 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, do NOT buy commercially packaged manure. This
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-time temperature 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.
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
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 to mature 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, over which 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!
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 tomatoes come 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 the sunniest location for your plants. Water them carefully, so that no mud splashes on the plant.
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 wellsupplied with garden-fresh tomatoes all the year round!
Why keep tomatoes in containers? Since traditional gardening is not an option for a vast 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 their ornamental value too.
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 indeterminate varieties 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 tomato plants 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 tomatoes the pots that the watering is always a problem if you are growing in containers, I always use self-watering pots that maintain a reservoir of water at the bottom plant wicks up as and when needed.
A plastic pot does not dry out as easily as a clay pot and will therefore require less watering. Put in drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. This will 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 to ARTIFICIALLY 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.
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 warm sunlight. Water the plants if they show ANY signs of wilting or dryness. Hydrogels or water-holding gels will help retain water in 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-soluble fertilizer once a week. Never fertilize a plant when it is dry. Water it first and then fertilize. Growing tomatoes in containers is easy and fun if you are vigilant enough to catch little pests and insects at the
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 of phosphorous to induce high yield. Plants contained in containers may need daily or more watering. When staking your container, choose designs that allow you to put your hand in to pluck the fruits. Keep your pot above the ground and out of contact with soil. 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 the suckers that grow in the crotch. Use a good quality soil all the way to the bottom of the pot You need to put in at least six shovels of soil. You can 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 tomato plant. Fertilize regularly. Repot when the roots get pot-bound. If the plants are too 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!
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 to dream 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
system can be used, though my personal favorite is a 5gallon 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
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 living mulch. 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 of extreme 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.
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 can grow 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 the tomato 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 will NOT 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.
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 into high 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 beneficial microbes, 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 not aid in the nutritive or growth process, it helps fight pests. And thats a good enough reason for most.
What are the nutrients needed for growing tomatoes? The three most important nutrients your tomato plants need are: Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium Sufficient 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 a MUST 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 for growing 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 reduces fruit 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.
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 growing tomatoes. 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 of the feed. But the changes in the soil chemistry will make the plants more prone to pathogens, disease and damage. Too much more you One good signs of watering washes away the fertilizers. So, the water, the more food your plant will need. tip is to water only when your plants show wilting in the mid-day heat.
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.
The ways of Nature are surprising. Sometimes kill to bring about fresh growth. So is it with yellow leaves. They need to be plucked off with upward movement. Make sure to pluck off ALL the yellowing leaves. Leave the good leaves alone.
you have to these a clean curled or
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 to splash water on to the leaves. If water droplets fall on the leaves, the leaves will burn and show yellow patches. Magnesium deficiency may cause the leaves to turn yellow and then turn brown. Try feeding the plant some extra magnesium and observe the difference. Smokers can hurt the leaves if they have not washed their 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 and yellowing 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.
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 strung together 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.
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 is organic) 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.
For those who didnt, well, here goes. Cut a hole in a bail of hay. The hole should be about 812 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. Taking this 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 plants yield a bigger, healthier crop.
Scientists unearthed two findings that are of special importance: Vetch-mulched plants showed greater resistance to fungal attacks and also aged slowly Tomatoes that grow in vetch had bigger and stronger root 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.
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 the development of a sturdy root system. One great tip for growing healthy tomatoes is to allow the 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 root system 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.
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. VFNTVerticillum Wilt Fusarium Wilt Nematodes 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 the frailer 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.
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 less reliable 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
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
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 kidfriendly. 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.
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 plants WITHIN 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, light and 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
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 is AT LEAST: 12-15 inches in diameter, and Can take in 6-7 shovels of dirt A 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 excess water can run off. Proper growing healthy tomatoes, so the drainage and enough headroom for of the container so that drainage is the key to pot must have bottom 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, list quality ingredients. A standard satisfactory plant growth. A premium wetting agents, fertilizer and water enhances growth.
look for bags that mix can barely sustain mix has additional holding capacity which
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 to put 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 spill over. 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.
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 clean Disadvantages: 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
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 the location. 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 is a 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 stakes with 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
do not require tying because the leaves grow through the wire. As the plant grows, pull individual shoots through the wire. 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, rotate the 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
about a foot from the base of the plant. Make sure to encircle the entire plant. Cover the fertilizer mix with 23 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 with any 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 is NOT 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 almost reduced 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
water them. Too much water will rot the plant and too little will shrivel it up. Plants growing in pots need more water than those growing 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 afternooninduced 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 Thats a tricky need to give is quality in your is too much, and when is it too little? question, because the amount of water you dependent on the kind of climate and soil locality. Tomatoes and places: NJ has 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.
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 in Montana 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 midseason 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. Over watering and over feeding the plants (especially with excessive Nitrogen) should be avoided. Tomatoes are a growing tomatoes think there is a own at least one cornerstone of the Southern diet. So, in AL is really easy. Actually, I dont single family in the south that does not 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 from dry spells. Growing tomatoes in Texas means supplying extra nutrients by adding several inches of compost or wellrotted 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
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 in Alaska 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 lightpenetration. Canada has adapted tomato varieties by breeding and growing special varieties in Canada. There are over a 100 kinds. The Canabec Super, MacPink, Alacrity, Herald are 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.
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 at bay? 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 tomatoes throughout 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 light ARTIFICIALLY. 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.
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 solarpowered sugar factories. For the first 30-45 days of its life, all the sugar produced by the plant is directed towards 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 in its 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.
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 sunshine If 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 than humans, 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 the sun. Most of the sugar produced by the plant is directed towards fruit growth and development Large fruits are produced till the end of the growing season. Plant leaves are relatively free from diseases.
Tips and techniques: Keep tomatoes free of side stems that grow below the first flower cluster. To encourage strong stem growth, tie the plants to their 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 indeterminate variety. In case of a multi-stemmed plant, let the second stem grow from the node ABOVE the first fruit. Keeping branches close to the main stem will make them vigorous while disallowing any competition with the main 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
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 the seeds 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
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 may forget 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 the soil outside. But the resulting plants will have lesser yield Seeds that have not germinated do not need sunlight. Keep them in a warm shaded spot. But as soon as you see the first signs of growth outside, shift the container to a sunny spot. Failure to do this will give you leggy spindly plants. Presto! Your plants should now be growing happily. Keep only 1 plant per pot. When the true leaves appear, your plants are ready for the great outdoors. Harden them off before exposing them to nature. FAQs: How to grow tomatoes from seed 1) In Nature, plants grow right from seeds that are just dumped into the soil. Will we be successful if we replicate this process? Sadly, no. In Nature, the plant spews out hundreds of seeds, and only one or two make it to maturity. Plants that grow out of seeds in the earth are prone to disease or infection.
2) How does one remove the seeds from this years produce and store it for future use? Cut a ripe tomato into 2 slices. Scoop out the seeds along with the pulp and place in a clean jar. Add a little water and cover with a plastic wrap. Keep the seeds for 2-5 days stirring them occasionally. This mixture is going to smell pretty bad when fermentation reaches its peak. During this process, the good seeds will separate from the gelatinous covering and sink to the bottom. Remove the layer of junk from the top and rinse the seeds with cool water. Do NOT wipe the seeds dry. 3) How can you start seeds by placing them in peat pellets? Although pots and trays are equally effective, peat pellets are an easy, cheap and convenient way to get seeds started. Place the pellets in a pan and cover with warm water. In about half an hour the pellets will absorb the water and bloat out. Move the peat into the middle and make about 3-5 holes, each about inches deep. Place the seeds in the holes, cover and keep the peat moist. If everything works well, the seeds will germinate in a week to ten days. 4) What are the best containers to use when growing tomatoes from seed? You can start seeds in just about any kind of container. The only proviso: the container has to be 2-3 inches deep and have some drainage holes at the bottom. Egg-cartons usually cannot hold enough soil and also dry out quickly. Peat pellets are also not a favorite with me because the outer mesh bag does not break down well, especially if the temperature is low. If you plant your seedlings in a block of soil, transplantation becomes a whole lot easier. 5) Is it essential to keep the seeds in the dark before they sprout? Some tomato varieties are sensitive to certain wavelengths of light. If such seeds are exposed to light growth may be inhibited, especially when the temperature is low. It is better to keep the plants in the dark till you can see the first signs of life.
6) Is soil from the garden good for starting off seeds? Definitely NOT. When garden soil is placed in small containers, it packs down and drains poorly. By planting tomato seeds in unsterilized garden soil, you run the risk of damping off a disease where the seedlings rot. An effective way to ward off damping off disease is to spray chamomile tea (1 teabag:2 cups water) 7) How should one sow the seeds? If you bought the seeds from the store, check for any specific instructions. Sow the seeds into soil making individual holes and dropping the seeds in. Sow them at least an inch apart. Cover the seeds with dry starting mix. Gently spray them with water.
Chapter 10: Summing it ALL Up

Tomatoes may be the most loved plants in the vegetable gardens of North America, but they can also stretch ones nerves to a breaking point. A large number of gardening enthusiasts have thrown their caps in and washed their hands off (excuse the pun) the hardy tomato plant. You need to use some common-sense techniques when you grow anything in your garden. What the plant gets naturally from the soil and its environs has to be supplied by the gardener. Controlled conditions allow the gardener to provide just the right amount of everything. In theory, the gardener should then be able to get the perfect plants that yield the perfect fruits. Reality can be quite disappointing as my own experience taught me. Quite a lot of things can and will go wrong on the way. Sometimes the frost comes when you least expect it or there is a heavy shower just when the fruits are getting ready. Accidents like these can easily put you off tomatoes for a lifetime. Tomatoes are a gardeners delight when they turn out right. What makes them great to grow is that once you get the techniques right, there is just no stopping them or you.
Along the way, I learnt that there are certain important stages in the farming experience. Once these stages are managed properly, the rest is as smooth as clockwork. OK, so what are these stages? Heard of that adage Well begun is half done? The first decision is always the most important decision. Choosing the right variety may seem like a small thing, but this is where MOST beginners go wrong. Choose a variety that most suits your needs. Find out if your area is vulnerable to any disease and get a diseaseresistant variety. Avoid types that are most susceptible to a particular disease. These are early days yet. So, if you discover that you have made the wrong decisions, do not stick to the same path. Start from scrap again. Starting your plants from seed is fun! It is also rewarding. Your plants will respond to the care you give them. The right amount of moisture, temperature, air, ventilation and fertilizer is manna to a young plant. Keep a sharp eye for unwanted growth, diseases and pests. As far as possible, use gloves and sterilized equipment when you deal with the plants in your garden. Tomato plants are very sensitive to temperature. They love warmth. So, before you begin your adventure, equip yourself with enough information. When is frost expected? Do you get rains in the middle of summer? When does the planting season end in your area? Go organic its healthy! The novice gardener may find this a little difficult. But organic tomatoes just taste different they have a special flavor and texture. Take to heirlooms. Hybrid varieties are hardy, diseaseresistant and may yield more. But they cannot hold a candle to the aroma and taste of heirloom tomatoes. As your experience grows, you will discover that heirlooms just need a bit of getting used to. Gardening is hard work be prepared to sweat it out. There is no shortcut for mulching, staking, pruning, fertilizing and watering. You cannot plant your tomatoes
and forget about them for weeks or a month. Plants are like children they need constant care and continuous attention. Inconsistent and wrong watering techniques have put an end to many tomato-inspired dreams. Tomatoes, like other plants, cannot withstand too much or too little of water. Most gardeners know the importance of heat and sunshine. So, they promptly place their precious plant where it is directly hit by loads of sunlight. Then they forget to water the plant. Thats like eating a pound of potato chips with no coke to wash it down! Tomatoes are so versatile that a little ingenuity and imagination can see you growing tomatoes upside down, in containers, hydroponically or in hoops. This just goes to show that the plant is not fussy and develops well if conditions for growth are met. I strongly suggest that you take to varied techniques after a season or two of regular gardening. Plant rotation is an important aspect of gardening. Avoid planting in the same area for more than two years in a row. However, if you are diligent with the preparation of your soil, you should be alright. But what if you make a mistake, IN SPITE of all these? Well, thats the way you learn. One good thing is that plants never point a finger. You dont have to worry that the mistakes you make today are going to be traced back to you 20 years later by a psychotherapist. After all, with plants even failure is enriching your compost pile will be the happier for it. Bragging rights to the early batch of fruits or to the juiciest tomato may just be yours if you follow all the guidelines in this e-book. Since my love affair with the tomato plant began, I have been learning new things every season. And every season, I can see my tomatoes getting that much better. I guess the plants just know it when you are in earnest. Happy growing! John Parker

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Visit us at: www.how-to-grow-tomatoes.com Copyright Notice

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Chapter 1: Growing Tomatoes

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Chapter 2: Growing Tomatoes in Containers

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Chapter 3: Growing Tomatoes Upside Down

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Chapter 4: Places and Ways to Grow

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you have to these a clean curled or

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Chapter 5: Growing in Buckets

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Chapter 6: Staking Tomatoes

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Chapter 9: Starting from a Seed

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Chapter 10: Summing it ALL Up