How to Grow Tomato Trees

How to easily grow tomato trees

With hundreds of varieties of tomatoes available for planting, choosing a variety is the hardest part of growing a tomato tree for most people. This is because they do not take up a lot of space, produce an abundant crop for their size and are relatively easy to grow. You can successfully grow tomato trees once you follow the required steps.

Things You'll Need

• Tomato seeds
• Fork
• Compost
• Potting soil
• Starter plant pots
• Fertilizer
• Pesticide

Instructions

Prepare the Soil

1. Mark off a section for your tomato plot. Tomatoes require a lot of sunlight and each plant requires at least 3 feet of space. Therefore choose an area that has access to direct sunlight and enough space to accommodate the number of tomato trees you intend to grow.

2. Till the first 8 to 10 inches of the top soil. Dig into the soil with a fork. Turn the fork to break up any clumps. Remove weeds, rocks and debris from the soil.

3. Mix compost into the tomato plot. Add as much compost to the soil as possible. Tomatoes require nutrient rich soil in order to grow and thrive.

Plant the Seeds

1. Fill the starter pots with potting soil. Place a tomato seed in each pot and cover it with the potting soil. Water the seeds lightly but regularly. Set the pots in a sunny area such as a window sill when they sprout.

2. Take the plants and set them on top of the plot for a few hours every day. This is called "hardening off." It is gradually adapting the plants to their new environment. Increase the number of hours each day they are left outside by 1 or 2 hours. Give the plants a week to "harden."

3. Dig a hole in the plot for each tomato plant. The holes must be deep and wide enough to cover two-thirds of the plant. Dig each hole at least 3 feet apart.

4. Remove each plant from the starter pot. The plants are generally ready to be transplanted when they are 6 inches tall. Roll the starter pot in your hands back and forth to loosen the soil. Carefully turn the pot upside down with your hand, supporting the plant and let the plant and soil slide out.

Plant the Tomato Tree

1. Set the plant in the hole and cover two-thirds of it with soil.

2. Water each plant daily. Tomato trees need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Water once in the morning and evening.

3. Add fertilizer to the soil after two weeks. This will ensure that the soil remains nutrient rich.

4. Check the tomato pot for weeds and pests on a daily basis. Spend at least 20 minutes a day weeding the plot and removing any insects from the trees. Apply pesticide to the trees if necessary.

References

• University of Maryland: Tomatoes
• Tomato Gardening Guru: Planting Tomatoes
• Texas A&M University System: Easy Gardening: Tomatoes

Resources

• Growing Tomatoes