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How To Grow Tomatoes: Detailed Cultivation Instructions

The folks at All Good Things Organic Seeds offer their advice on cultivating tomatoes from seed to fruit.

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All Good Things Organic Seeds
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897 views

How To Grow Tomatoes: Detailed Cultivation Instructions

The folks at All Good Things Organic Seeds offer their advice on cultivating tomatoes from seed to fruit.

Uploaded by

All Good Things Organic Seeds
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Web: www.agtoseeds.com; Email: [email protected] 805.758.

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Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) are tropical perennials native to South


America. In North America's temperate climate, they are considered tender annuals, as they are typically very frost-sensitive. Being the most widely grown and popular garden vegetable (well, fruit...really) in the United States, there are as many opinions on how they should be grown as there are varieties! Following are our suggestions for tomato-growing success. Tomatoes do very well direct-sown, though unless you are blessed with a very long, frostfree growing season, you're best off starting seeds indoors. This will also give you the ability to care for the slow-growing seedlings in this tender stage under the protection of cover. Plant tomato seeds 1/8"-1/4" deep in flats, trays or small pots in a quality potting soil, or finely sifted compost. Keep the seeds evenly moist throughout germination, which typically will take anywhere from 5-10 days, depending mainly on the soil temperature and the viability of the seed. Tomato seedlings will likely be indoors in their starter trays for 6-8 weeks or longer, and will greatly benefit from the addition of liquid fertilizer. We recommend a dilute fish/kelp liquid feed at least once every few days. Start this liquid fertilizer regimen as soon as you notice the growth rate of the seedlings decline...this means that the seedling has consumed all of the available nutrient from the soil that it's in. An alternative to liquid fertilizing is to 'pot-up' the seedlings, transplanting them into larger containers with a larger root-space of fresh, fertile soil. Tomatoes generally take pretty well to transplanting, though one would take care to be gentle with the roots. The seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they have their second set of true leaves, but may remain in their starter trays longer if potted up or pushed with fertilizer...just make sure they don't stay in there too long and become severely root-bound. Plant out your seedlings into well-prepared garden soil, rich in nutrients. If you have good quality homemade or purchased compost, add that to the topsoil where you're planting. A particularly good practice for tomatoes (and all heavy-fruiting plants) is to amend the soil at planting time with a high-phosphorus organic fertilizer. Composted chicken manure is great, as is bone meal, or high-phosphorus bat guano. I like bone meal, as it is a slow release phosphorus that is unlikely to burn your plants, breaking down and releasing much-needed phosphorus to the tomato plants right about the time they're getting ready to set fruit. Additionally, a mid-season side-dressing (scratching in of amendment into the top inch of soil around a plant) of compost or organic fertilizer will carry your plants healthfully through their final stages. Though it's possible to do without, we highly recommend that tomato plants be trellised. They are not natural climbing vines, as they lack gripping 'tendrils,' but sprawl across the ground if allowed. Propping them up with a trellis will keep the fruit from coming in contact with the soil, and therefore spoiling or being eaten by insects. If your garden is not visited by All Good Things Organic Seeds Tomato Cultivation Details Page 1

many flying insects or open to significant, daily wind, give your tomato plants a good, gentle shake every day. This will help the flowers to pollinate themselves, and set fruit. Tomatoes at times can be a challenging fruit to grow, but one of the more rewarding. What would summertime be without fresh salsa, bruschetta, or the late-night canning project! If you have questions concerning your tomatoes or other garden issues, feel free to contact us...we're happy to help! Justin & Quin

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