How to Grow Tomatoes Like a Pro

How you can grow your own tomatoes

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• seeds or plants
• garden space
• garden tools
• containers

1. Tomatoes are one of the easiest garden vegetables to grow, even if you've never raised a vegetable before. You can either start them from seed or plants that you buy.
   Plan ahead. Tomatoes need full sunlight and well-drained soil. They can be planted either in a garden plot, or in large containers. In any case, they do well in a well-drained soil where they will not have wet feet.

2. To start tomatoes from seed, you must plant them about six weeks before the date of last frost in your area. Soaking the seeds overnight can hasten germination. Plant them in shallow trays with sterile planting mix, then transplant to peat pots or larger containers. Put them in a sunny window and keep the soil moist but do not over water. If the weather is warm enough, put the pots outside to "harden off" and get used to the stronger outdoor sunlight and wind.

3. 

   When it is time to plant outside, prepare the plot by digging deeply and adding compost or well-rotted manure. Tomatoes need a moderate amount of phosphorous and calcium. Adding a half cup or so of bone meal to the soil at planting time yields good results. Set the seedlings deeply, so that the bottom leaves are even with the ground. If the weather is cool, you may protect the plants at first by covering them with plastic or using gallon milk jugs with the bottoms cut off. Spreading black plastic over the soil also warms it.

Tips & Warnings

• Use grass clippings to mulch the plants as they grow to conserve moisture.
• Provide supports either with wire tomato cages or wooden stakes
• If you use containers, select smaller varieties or cherry tomatoes, be sure your container is large enough and that you water frequently.
• Do not overly fertilize. Using fertilizer that is too rich in nitrogen causes lanky leafy plants.

[kingofmyself]

on 5/14/2009 I'm not that much of a green thumb either. However, it's pretty hard to go wrong with tomatoes. Remember, if you are starting Plants, bury them a few branches down for a sturdy crop.

[naturalpath]

on 4/11/2009 Nice article. You cant grow too many tomatoes!!

[russellcox]

on 4/6/2009 I'm not much of a green thumb, but I can grow tomatoes and enjoy doing it every summer. Anyone who likes fresh tomatoes can grow a tomato plant in a container on their porch or patio.