The plump, red, juicy tomato is the most popular vegetable grown in home gardens today. For that reason, we want to show you exactly how easy it is to get started in growing your very own tomato garden.
Proper planning is the key. First you need to decide where you are going to plant your tomatoes. Do you have enough space outdoors to create a garden? If so, this would be the perfect option. If you do not have the outdoor space, you still have options. You can grow tomatoes in containers on your patio, deck or sunroom. If those options do not work, you can even successfully grow tomatoes in your basement with the aid of artificial lighting.
There really is no excuse why you can not get started right now. No matter what your situation, there is an option out there that will fit your needs. In this discussion we will focus on growing tomatoes in an outdoor garden.
Now you need to select what variety of tomato you wish to plant. Since we are focusing on an outdoor garden, your options are endless. There are literally thousands of different varieties but do not fret, it can be as easy as going to your local garden center and asking the associate for help. They usually only carry a handful of varieties to choose from so your choice now becomes much easier. If you want to make your own salsas or sauces, then maybe you want to try one of the big, juicy Beefsteak varieties. If you are looking for a more bite-sized variety for a salad or vegetable tray then you probably want to look at one of the smaller cherry tomato varieties.
Now you need to prepare your garden for planting. Select a location that gets plenty of sunshine. Tomato plants should get at least 8 hours of direct sun but the more, the better. If this location has not been planted previously, go to a compost facility and get enough compost to cover your space about 2 or 3 inches thick. Spread it over your garden and mix it in with a rototiller. Then rake it smooth.
Prepare your seedlings for planting with a process called "hardening off". This involves slowly exposing them to the harshness of the outdoors. The method I use involves exposing them to x+1 sunlight. This simply means adding one additional hour of sunlight per day up to one week. So on day one, expose them to one hour of direct sunlight. On day two, expose them to two hours of direct sunlight. On day three, expose them to three hours of direct sunlight and so on. You get the picture. Do this for one week so that on day seven, the plant receives seven hours of sunlight. Make sure that you check the soil each day to ensure that the soil remains moist and water as needed. Now your plants are ready for transplanting.
Ideally your soil temperature should be above 55 degrees before planting. Dig a hole slightly larger than your 4 inch seedling pot and place the plant in the hole and fill in with your garden soil, packing it down lightly. Follow the instructions of your particular variety but leave a minimum of 2.5 feet between each plant. Do this on a cloudy day or later in the evening on a sunny day so the plant can make the transition to its new home a little easier without the added stress of the direct sunlight. Water your plants thoroughly at this time so they are ready for the sunshine tomorrow.
Pound in stakes or place cages around your seedlings immediately after transplanting. This will eliminate any chance of puncturing or damaging the root system after the roots have been allowed to grow and develop.
Now the hard part is finished and you switch to maintenance mode. As a general rule of thumb, provide one inch of water each week. This will vary depending on weather conditions and how much sunshine and rain your plants get each week. Just make sure that the soil is kept moist and is not allowed to dry out. Fertilize every three to four weeks with a slow, timed release fertilizer and mulch around the plants to help retain the moisture.
You are all set. Following these guidelines will provide you with fresh tasting, home-grown tomatoes in about two months. If you want to add to the adventure, stagger your sowing and do multiple plantings. I like to do a planting around mid-May, then another in mid-June and a final planting in mid-July. This will provide tomatoes well into the fall until the first frost arrives.
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