Growing Tomatoes: The Garden Superstar
Tomatoes are arguably the most popular vegetable (technically fruit!) in home gardens worldwide. While they require some attention to detail, the reward of perfectly ripe, homegrown tomatoes makes the effort worthwhile.
Getting Started
Seed Starting
- Start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost
- Use seed starting mix in small containers
- Keep soil temperature around 21-24°C (70-75°F)
- Provide 14-16 hours of light daily
- Seeds germinate in 7-14 days
Varieties to Consider
Determinate (Bush) Types:
- ‘Roma’ - excellent for sauce
- ‘Celebrity’ - disease resistant
- ‘Patio’ - perfect for containers
Indeterminate (Vine) Types:
- ‘Cherokee Purple’ - heirloom with complex flavor
- ‘San Marzano’ - classic Italian paste tomato
- ‘Brandywine’ - large, flavorful slicing tomato
Planting and Care
Transplanting
- Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days
- Plant when soil temperature consistently reaches 16°C (60°F)
- Bury 2/3 of the stem to encourage strong root development
- Space plants 45-60cm apart
Support Systems
Install supports at planting time:
- Stakes: 1.8-2.4m tall for indeterminate varieties
- Cages: Sturdy wire cages for determinate types
- Trellises: Good for small spaces
Watering
- Provide 2.5-5cm of water per week
- Water at soil level to prevent leaf diseases
- Maintain consistent moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture
Fertilizing
- Apply balanced fertilizer at planting
- Side-dress with compost every 3-4 weeks
- Reduce nitrogen as flowering begins to encourage fruit production
Common Problems and Solutions
Blossom End Rot
Symptoms: Dark, sunken spots on bottom of fruit Causes: Calcium deficiency, inconsistent watering Solutions: Maintain consistent soil moisture, ensure adequate calcium
Cracking
Symptoms: Splits in fruit skin Causes: Irregular watering, especially after dry periods Solutions: Consistent watering, pick fruit slightly early if rain expected
Late Blight
Symptoms: Brown spots on leaves and fruit Causes: Fungal disease favored by cool, wet conditions Solutions: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove affected plants
Harvesting
When to Pick
- Full ripe: Deep color, slightly soft, full flavor
- Breaker stage: First hint of color change, will ripen indoors
- Green: End of season, can ripen indoors if mature size
Storage
- Ripe tomatoes: Counter for 2-3 days, refrigerate for longer storage
- Green tomatoes: Wrap individually, store in cool area to ripen slowly
- Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes
Companion Planting
Great Companions
- Basil: Improves flavor and repels pests
- Marigolds: Natural pest deterrent
- Carrots: Don’t compete for space or nutrients
- Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects
Avoid Planting Near
- Potatoes: Share similar diseases
- Fennel: May inhibit growth
- Brassicas: Can compete for nutrients
Season Extension
Early Season
- Use black plastic mulch to warm soil
- Cover with row covers during cool nights
- Plant in protected, south-facing locations
Late Season
- Cover plants when light frost threatens
- Pick green tomatoes before hard frost
- Bring entire plants indoors to continue ripening
Seed Saving
Save seeds from open-pollinated varieties (not hybrids):
- Choose fully ripe fruit from healthiest plants
- Scoop out seeds and pulp
- Ferment in water for 2-3 days
- Rinse clean seeds and dry thoroughly
- Store in cool, dry place for up to 5 years
Growing tomatoes successfully requires patience and attention to detail, but the reward of sun-warmed, perfectly ripe tomatoes straight from your garden makes it all worthwhile!