Tips for growing the
Perfect Tomatoes Every time!
There are lots of different varieties of tomatoes. They come in many sizes, plant types, shapes, colors, disease resistance, and maturity levels. Some grow on vines and need trellising. Others grow on a bush and might need staking. Some need pruning, others do not. Make sure you read the packaging when purchasing seeds or plants to determine the variety and size of the tomato plants you will be growing.
1) Check Soil pH levels - Tomatoes prefer soil slightly on the acidic side. Preferably around 6.0-6.8. Test your soil pH. If it's too low, add lime. If it's too high, add sulfur. My sandy Florida soil when amended with chicken manure compost, purchased garden soil, coffee grounds, and wood ash is typically around 6.1 which is perfect for growing most veggies. No amendments needed.
2) Till the soil - Tomatoes like loose soil and lots of sun. Work the soil with a tiller or spade until it's loose to a depth of about 6-8 inches. Tomatoes like heat and they like the sun so pick a sunny spot in your garden when planting your tomato seeds or seedlings.
3) Add fertilizer at planting. I use chicken manure compost (see my recipe here) or leaf mold compost but you can also use a commercial fertilizer, preferably organic which has the NPK numbers 5-10-10. This refers to (N)itrogen/(P)hosphorous/(P)otassium. Just mix it right in with soil.
4) Bury plant up to lowest leaves. When you are sure the weather is warm enough, Dig a hole approximately 3-4 inches and saturate with water. Bury your tomato plants all the way up to their first set of leaves. Roots will grow all along that stem when buried creating a strong base for your tomato plants.
5) Space plants 1-2 feet apart - Make sure you leave at least a foot or two of space between plants because tomatoes are self pollinators meaning they have male and female parts. They rely on the wind to pollinate, so leave enough room between plants for this process to take place. Otherwise, your flowers will not set fruit.
6) Water your plants at root level - try not to spray the leaves. This causes all kinds of leaf and fruit setting problems. Utilize a drip system for your tomatoes if possible. In the past, I have watered my tomato plants daily (in the morning and evening) here in Florida but this year I am utilizing a drip system. Typically, tomatoes require about one to two inches of water per week but this can vary depending on your weather patterns. You can put your finger in the soil near the base of your plant. If the soil is dry 2 inches down, you need to water.
7) Fertilize bi-monthly - Tomatoes need lots of fertilizer. I fertilize my plants at least twice a month with chicken manure compost or leaf mold compost. There are also lots of good organic commercial fertilizers on the market such as this people and pet safe, Dr. Earth Home Grown Organic, Tomato, Vegetable, and Herb Fertilizer.
This year I am growing Beefsteaks, Big Boys, Better Boys, Large Fruited Cherries, and Romas.
I wish you the best of luck with your garden adventures!
