How to Grow Perfect Organic Tomatoes

Organic tomatoes do not use fertilizers or herbicides to grow.

Organic gardening is not just a trend; it's a way of life. With organic gardening, there are no pesticides, herbicides or unnatural ingredients left in fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, whether cherry or beefsteak varieties, are used in anything from salads to pasta sauces. Therefore, a home tomato garden is a versatile garden. When growing tomatoes organically, it is important to use varieties that work well for the area in which you live, but also to take the proper steps to make sure that your tomatoes reach their full potential.

Things You'll Need

• Garden area
• Shovel
• pH testing kit
• Disease-resistant tomato seedlings
• Water
• Compost
• Mulch
• Liquid seaweed

Instructions

1. Purchase disease-resistant tomato seedlings in the variety of your choice. Start planting six to eight weeks after the last frost. Test the soil to make sure that it has a pH level between 5.8 to 7.0. Add sulfur if the pH is above 6.0 and add oyster-shell lime if it is below 6.0.

2. Plant the seedlings in ¼-inch-deep rows and 2 feet apart for trellised tomato plants or 3 feet apart for spreading plants. Make sure that the garden area receives ample sunlight and that the seedlings are exposed to temperatures of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, though 75 degrees Fahrenheit is preferred. Begin watering the seeds regularly after they have germinated, which takes about two weeks.

3. Feed your tomato plants once per week with a homemade or organic-approved compost tea. Place a deep layer of mulch surrounding the base of each tomato plant.

4. Decrease the amount of watering once the first leaves begin to appear on the tomato plants by providing 1 inch of water per week. Be sure to check for any weak tomato plants or ones that appear to be dying and remove them from the rest of the crop.

5. Dose the tomato plants with liquid seaweed once per week to help promote growth.

6. Prune plants by removing dead leaves and stems, which will help produce tomatoes two weeks faster, according to Organic Gardening. Do not use pruning shears; only use your fingers. You can try removing the small shoots that come out of a side or main stem by pinching the shoots between two fingers and lifting them away.

7. Daily check the tomatoes once they are close to harvesting. Tomatoes will easily twist from the vine when ripe and should have a bright, vibrant color.

References

• "Organic Gardening"; Tomatoes: A Growing Guide
• Planet Natural; How to Grow Tomatoes --- Organic Tomato Gardening; Eric Vinje