Growing Tomatoes - The Basics
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MissS
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- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 4:55 am
- Location: SE Wisconsin Zone 5b
Growing Tomatoes - The Basics
Tomatoes are an easy to grow vegetable that belong in everyone's garden. They can be grown in the ground or in pots.
For the first time grower the best advise that I can give you is to read the tag. The tag will tell you the name of the variety that you have. If the tag does not give you all the information that you need as to it's height, size of fruit and type, then you will need to look that up or ask here on this site.
You will need a large pot with planting mix (bought from the store) or a spot at least 24" wide in a spot that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight. Dig a large hole 12 - 14 inches wide and loosen the soil. If you can, it would be great to add some organic matter and mix it in well but not everybody has that their first year of growing. Don't worry, next year you will. Mix in some balance fertilizer and plant your tomato plant after all danger of frost has passed.
Your new tomato plant will grow quickly and will need some support to keep it upright. You can use a tall pole and tie the plant to it or you can use a home made tomato cage made from many things there are suggestions how to build them on this site. The tomato cages that are sold in most stores are really not suitable for growing tomatoes.
Water your tomato when it becomes dry. Tomatoes do not like to have wet feet. When you water, keep the foliage dry. Wet foliage invites disease.
Watch your plant for pests and disease. Remove any yellow and brown dry leaves as they occur.
Enjoy eating your first homegrown tomato!
Now that your hooked you can become a pro and learn the tricks and tips to have the biggest and best tomatoes of your life.
For the first time grower the best advise that I can give you is to read the tag. The tag will tell you the name of the variety that you have. If the tag does not give you all the information that you need as to it's height, size of fruit and type, then you will need to look that up or ask here on this site.
You will need a large pot with planting mix (bought from the store) or a spot at least 24" wide in a spot that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight. Dig a large hole 12 - 14 inches wide and loosen the soil. If you can, it would be great to add some organic matter and mix it in well but not everybody has that their first year of growing. Don't worry, next year you will. Mix in some balance fertilizer and plant your tomato plant after all danger of frost has passed.
Your new tomato plant will grow quickly and will need some support to keep it upright. You can use a tall pole and tie the plant to it or you can use a home made tomato cage made from many things there are suggestions how to build them on this site. The tomato cages that are sold in most stores are really not suitable for growing tomatoes.
Water your tomato when it becomes dry. Tomatoes do not like to have wet feet. When you water, keep the foliage dry. Wet foliage invites disease.
Watch your plant for pests and disease. Remove any yellow and brown dry leaves as they occur.
Enjoy eating your first homegrown tomato!
Now that your hooked you can become a pro and learn the tricks and tips to have the biggest and best tomatoes of your life.
~ Patti ~
AKA ~ Hooper
AKA ~ Hooper