Who does not love tomatoes? We have set up a guide for you to grow the best tomatoes. After this guide, how long it takes, and how to grow tomatoes won’t have any secrets for you.
Tomatoes love the sun; that is why we are reminded of a sunny day whenever we eat pasta but forget about these store-bought tomato sauces; these are far from the real taste of tomato sauce that you will get to enjoy.
It takes a minimum of 60 days for tomatoes to grow, and it can go up to 100 days. As I mentioned earlier, tomatoes love the sun so, it is logical that they cannot bear frost. It is better to start planting the seed first and then to transplant when the climate is better. In this article, we will go through the planting process; you will want to read the other parts of this article for a full guide…
Type Of Tomatoes
Determinate tomatoes, sometimes known as “bush” types, reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. These types produce many ripe tomatoes at once, have little leaf growth following the fruit set. They are more prolific in the growing season than vining types. Staking or caging is not necessary for determinate tomatoes, and containers and tiny places are ideal for these plants. The majority of paste tomatoes are made from determinants.
Through summer and until the first frost, indeterminate tomatoes, also known as the vining variety, yield the biggest sorts of tomatoes. Because indeterminates have more leaf growth, their harvest is equally distributed throughout the season. Staking is required for indeterminate tomatoes, so they’re perfect for large gardeners. The majority of beefsteak and cherry tomatoes are indeterminate varieties.
Tomatoes come in various tastes, colors, and sizes, ranging from small grape tomatoes to huge beefsteaks. The option you choose is also determined by how you want to use this versatile fruit in the kitchen. Roma tomatoes, for example, are not often eaten fresh out of hand, but they are ideal for sauces and ketchup. Tomatoes require constant attention since they are prone to pests and illnesses.
Planting
It is important to choose an ideal spot for your tomatoes, one that will receive plenty of suns. I recommend that two weeks before planting, you mix manure or compost into your soil.
Starting Tomatoes from Seed
As previously noted, many gardeners acquire starting tomato plants from a nursery due to the extended growing season for a warm-weather harvest. On the other hand, tomatoes can be planted directly in the garden if the soil temperature is at least 55°F. It’s worth noting that 70°F soil is ideal for maximum germination in 5 days. Make sure your growing season is long enough for the plants to reach maturity. Check the date of your first fall frost. You may also get a head start by starting tomatoes from seed inside. 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost date, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in tiny trays. It is best to harden your seedlings before transplanting; put them in the sun for a few hours on the first day, then gradually increase the sun exposure.
Planting the Transplants
After all threat of frost has gone and the soil temperature has reached 60°F, transplant your seedlings or nursery-grown plants. Staking and caging assist the plant to stay upright by keeping growing fruit off the ground. Add a handful of organic tomato fertilizer to the planting hole before transplanting tomatoes. Applying heavy nitrogen fertilizers, such as those advised for lawns, may result in lush foliage but may cause blooming and fruiting to be delayed.
Pinch off a couple of the bottom leaves before planting seedlings. Here are two methods for planting seedlings in the ground: Deepen each root ball to the point where the bottom leaves are visible above the soil’s surface. Underground, roots will develop down the plant’s stem. Seedlings should be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Overcrowded plants will not receive enough sunlight, and the fruit will not mature. Up to the first set of genuine leaves, bury the stems. Along the buried stem, roots will grow. Allow space for the plants to spread out. Water well to reduce shock to the roots.
In this guide, we showed you how to plant your tomatoes by different methods. In the second part of this article, we will go through tomato plant care, so make sure you read that. Let us know in the comments through which way will you plant your tomatoes…
