How to Grow Heirloom Tomatoes

An heirloom tomato comes from seeds that have been saved and collected for 50 or more years. They can be replanted every year to grow with full flavor. These tomatoes come in hundreds of varieties and colors, including Cherokee Purple, Watermelon Beefsteak and Green Zebra. Heirloom tomatoes are easy to plant and grow in your own backyard or container garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Buy your seeds from a gardening store or from the gardening section of a department store. Start your seeds indoors by mixing them with peat moss in a tray. Add some water to the mixture to keep it moist, and then transport the mix into a plastic pot before transplanting your tomato seeds outdoors.

2. Put your heirloom tomato plants in the shade so that they don't burn, and then bring the plants indoors at night. This process is called "hardening," or getting the plants used to the outdoor weather. Repeat the hardening process for 7 to 10 days, and then plant your tomato seeds in your garden or into your container if you only have a balcony or patio.

3. Water your heirloom tomato plants every day during the first week of growing. Maintain mulch in your garden or in your container to help the plants grow and prevent diseases. Allow the heirloom tomatoes to get some sun for color.

4. Use wooden stakes or metal cages to support your heirloom tomato plants as they grow. The support will help your plants grow tall and upright and prevent them from swaying or drooping.

5. Pick and harvest your heirloom tomatoes as soon as they turn colors. Let the tomatoes continue the ripening process in your kitchen. Sunlight is no longer needed. Pick your tomatoes early so that they don't get eaten by worms or other critters.

Tips & Warnings

• Heirloom tomatoes are more susceptible to diseases than hybrid varieties. Avoid planting heirloom tomatoes near tobacco plants (including flowering nicotiana). To avoid tobacco mosaic virus that can destroy your plants, don't handle tomato plants during or after smoking.