How to Grow Tomatoes

The ever popular tomato is one of the most commonly grown vegetable and grows quickly to provide you with a bountiful harvest.

Apply compost tea and an organic liquid leaf spray every 7 to 14 days. Once flowers bloom, side-dress plants with compost.Option 1: Pick all tomatoes, ripe and unripe. To remove, gently twist or cut off the fruits, holding the vine with your other hand to prevent breaking the vine off.If you have no garden or limited space then all is not lost; you can grow tomatoes in pots or containers; there are many miniature and cherry varieties to choose from. A 16 - 20 inch pot is about right, just use a potting mixture instead of soil. Remember to check your pots regularly for water as they will dry out quickly, especially in summer. A self watering container makes the job easier and if you can install a tap on the balcony, it would save carrying water through your apartment. Don't limit yourself to tomatoes, with a little thought you can grow lots of other things like herbs, lettuce, egg plants, etc. just by using containers.We made an �accidental� discovery a few years ago when we were remodeling during planting season. We were lucky to get the plants in at all let alone stake them.Tomato seeds germinate best in the dark at 85�F, though they will germinate with temperatures as low as 60�F; it'll just take longer.Option 2: Pull your tomato plants up, root and all and hang them up-side down in a dry, warm location such as a garage or basement. The nutrients will continue through the plant and many tomatoes will still ripen. We have had good success with this method.Press the soil down enough to remove air pockets and support the plant, then water thoroughly.The best way we have found to plant tomato starts (and the way our family has done it for three generations) is to dig a trench 6� long and 5�-6� deep for an 8� tall plant.

If you have no garden or limited space then all is not lost; you can grow tomatoes in pots or containers; there are many miniature and cherry varieties to choose from. A 16 - 20 inch pot is about right, just use a potting mixture instead of soil. Remember to check your pots regularly for water as they will dry out quickly, especially in summer. A self watering container makes the job easier and if you can install a tap on the balcony, it would save carrying water through your apartment. Don't limit yourself to tomatoes, with a little thought you can grow lots of other things like herbs, lettuce, egg plants, etc. just by using containers.

Author: Colin D Price