Many varieties of tomatoes will thrive in our climate and produce delicious fruit all summer long. To get the delicious tomatoes you desire, you just need to give the tomato plant everything it needs and keep an eye on it, throughout the season.
If given the proper care, tomatoes will grow like weeds and you won’t be able to give all that fruit away! However, they can be a little sensitive sometimes so careful tending is necessary.
Tomatoes, as with almost any other plant, need the proper soil to thrive. They do well in rich, loamy soil with lots of organic matter tilled in. Soil in our area tends to be heavy with clay, making it difficult for roots and water to penetrate deeply. By adding compost to the soil, you can decrease the percentage of clay and multiply the tunneling earthworm population, thereby increasing aeration. Tomatoes also require full sun and long hours of light in order to produce. They must be placed in an area that will get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
When planting tomato starts, bury the stem up to the bottom few sets of leaves. The buried portion of the stem will grow roots, creating a wider, farther-reaching root system for the plant to gather water and nutrients. Most tomatoes need to be staked, so the leaves and fruit do not rot on the ground. Stake your tomatoes when you transplant them, so that you do not damage new roots by driving stakes into the ground later. The classic wire tomato cage is acceptable for smaller varieties. But, if your plants grow beyond 5 feet, as many varieties do, a sturdier, square cage or a heavy, wooden trellis is recommended.
Tomatoes thrive with infrequent deep watering, which increases the depth of the root systems. In the summer, water a few times a week in the morning. Letting the hose drip slowly onto the base of each pant for 20 minutes or so will give them plenty for the next few days. Tomatoes can also benefit from a little pruning. Trimming off the smaller limbs that protrude from the base of the plant will redirect the plant’s energy to the main stalk, where most fruit production occurs. The result of pruning will be bigger, more flavorful fruit but the harvest will be smaller so it is up to the individual gardener to decide their priorities.
Tomatoes can occasionally fall prone to diseases and harmful insects like blight and aphids. Many organic and chemical controls exist to combat these pests but a little prevention can help avoid problems. When watering, avoid getting the leaves wet, which can attract fungus and other diseases. Planting healthy plants in fertile soil will help: a healthy plant, with proper nutrition can better combat infestation. Mid-season fertilization can give plants a boost of vigor, as well. Acting quickly, at the first sign of illness, will give tomatoes a better chance to recover from an attack.
For healthy tomatoes, give them the conditions they need and they will feed you, your family and your neighbors delicious fruit all summer!
