For those of you who have planted your tomato seeds inside and are hoping to put them into the ground to grow outside, you must "harden off" the plant first. This can be done by taking the plant outside for short periods of time gradually increasing the time each day. I start my plants with one hour in a shaded or protected area for the first day and gradually increase by 30 minutes each day until they are totally acclimatized. Then you are clear to plant them outside.
Be sure that when you plan to plant, all fear of frost is over OR you are willing to cover your plants with plastic to protect them overnight. If you do cover them, make sure that the leaves don't touch the plastic on the inside and be sure to raise the plastic off of them in the daytime.
Tomatoes love the heat and the air. They grow well against a wall where the heat rebounds but they also like the breeze to move through them so be careful where you site them. Unlike many food crops, tomatoes can be planted in the same space each year.
Planting companion plants with them is also a good cross check for pests and disease. Chives, or basil, or lettuce work really well with tomatoes. Basil planted close by has been reported to deliver a tomato with a slight hint of basil flavour so that's an added bonus!
Tomatoes can dry out a bit between plantings but don't let them wilt...they need moisture to produce the best fruit. Soil should be well drained.
Make sure that you plan to stake your tomatoes. Many varieties grow naturally on the ground but this takes alot of space and slugs and other bugs can easily infest them on the ground. Staking your plant will help produce nice round, perfect fruit that is much easier and cleaner to harvest. The fruits will be heavy so make sure your stake is of appropriate size to support your prize!
Here at The Healthy Neighbour Project we would LOVE to have your report and photos of your successes or your problems. Please feel free to contact us....see the Contact Page.
Be sure that when you plan to plant, all fear of frost is over OR you are willing to cover your plants with plastic to protect them overnight. If you do cover them, make sure that the leaves don't touch the plastic on the inside and be sure to raise the plastic off of them in the daytime.
Tomatoes love the heat and the air. They grow well against a wall where the heat rebounds but they also like the breeze to move through them so be careful where you site them. Unlike many food crops, tomatoes can be planted in the same space each year.
Planting companion plants with them is also a good cross check for pests and disease. Chives, or basil, or lettuce work really well with tomatoes. Basil planted close by has been reported to deliver a tomato with a slight hint of basil flavour so that's an added bonus!
Tomatoes can dry out a bit between plantings but don't let them wilt...they need moisture to produce the best fruit. Soil should be well drained.
Make sure that you plan to stake your tomatoes. Many varieties grow naturally on the ground but this takes alot of space and slugs and other bugs can easily infest them on the ground. Staking your plant will help produce nice round, perfect fruit that is much easier and cleaner to harvest. The fruits will be heavy so make sure your stake is of appropriate size to support your prize!
Here at The Healthy Neighbour Project we would LOVE to have your report and photos of your successes or your problems. Please feel free to contact us....see the Contact Page.