Growing Tomatoes

Not all tomatoes are the same

First, determine what kind of space you want to put your tomatoes in.

Tomatoes come in two different types; determinate and indeterminate.

As the name suggests, determinates have vines that grow to a determined

point and stop, making them more compact and bushy (They are

sometimes listed as bush tomatoes).

Indeterminates are more viney than determinates; their vines continue to grow

and need support. Determinates tend to be early; indeterminates are a good bet

for later fruit. Obviously the determinates are better suited for small gardens;

they are also a better bet for containers (although you could always provide a

cage or trellis for indeterminates in containers).

Tomatoes are easy to grow from seed (65° F or 18° C to germinate). Unless you

wish to grow heirloom tomatoes, you may wish to simply purchase your tomato

plants if you want to spare yourself the time and trouble.

Tomatoes require plenty of sun. As for soil, they will grow in just about

anything you throw at them.

They do very well when planted in containers, as soil can easily be changed or

improved from year to year (raised beds are good for much the same reason).

Uniform watering is the key to nice fruit. Even watering can prevent leaf-end

roll, blossom end-rot and "cat-facing", those misshapen crags and cracks on

the stem end of the fruit. Can't say this enough; tomatoes are about the

watering! Skimp on amendments, fertilizers and the rest, but if you want

good tomatoes it's all about the water.

It is OK to plant tomatoes in the garden when the temperature is a consistent

50° F, but plants won't begin to set fruit until the overnight low is regularly

above 55°. Plant tomatoes approximately 2 to 3 feet apart from each other or in

rows three feet apart with the plants spaced at a foot. This is a good method for

indeterminate types in smaller gardens; you must simply keep the plant to a

single main stalk.

Next week, I give you some information on fertilizers, and tips onhow to cure

blossom end rot.

Happy Gardening, Terry