PLANTING LOCATIONS
When transplanting seedlings, bury all the seedling stem below the ground, leaving only the top leaves exposed. This encourages roots to grow the full length of the stem, which is below soil level, giving you a large root system. This in turn gives you larger healthier fruit and is a little trick my grandfather taught me; works fantastic too.They're an excellent choice for canning or preserving when you need a large quantity at once.Tomatoes need a long and relatively warm growing season. So, In many parts of the country, tomato seeds must be started indoors.Apply an organic leaf spray once every week or two until bloom.It is also not recommended to be growing tomatoes near the cabbage family, mature dill plants (inhibits growth), and corn (which attracts the horn worm).Indeterminate vines can grow from 6-20� long/tall, They are known to have better flavor than determinate types and keep growing and producing until good frost.SPROUTING SEEDSAllow 2� spacing between plants.N-P-K Levels: (N)-High (P)-High (K)-HighPruning these plants is necessary for good production or too much energy goes into growing the vine.Avoid over-head watering. This can cause disease and split the fruit. Try either drip irrigation, or if your garden area is small you can easily apply with a bucket, or watering can.For staked tomatoes, plant 2� apart. Tomatoes left to sprawl need 3 to 4 feet between plants.Prepare for growing the container tomato.WATERING - VERY IMPORTANTTomatoes also need well-drained soil. This can be achieved in raised beds, or by adding well-composted manure and compost to the soil.Tomatoes germinate well in a soil-less material such as perlite or vermiculite. The germination phase is approximately 6 days when soil temperature is kept between 78�- 86�F.Lay the plant down in the hole with only the top leaves showing above the soil level.Plant deeper than they were before (especially if they have gotten spindly). We use quart cartons or 4" planting pots and re-use them annually.DETERMINATE VS. INDETERMINATE VARIETIESThere are several reasons why growing espalier tomatoes in courtyards or on patios is desirable and primarily because they can be grown by taking up only a small amount of space that is available. Another benefit of growing this way is that by spreading the branches out the fruit receives maximum sunlight. The warmth from the wall also speeds up the ripening time of the fruit.Once your tomato is positioned in the hole, fill hole half way with soil. Fill the rest of the way with water. Let the water drain; finish filling the hole with dirt.1. Decide on the trellis style, locate and attach it to the wall5. Plant the tomato seedling in the pot up to the top 4 to 6 leaves (yes, that is right as the stem will grow roots and be a strong plant to support the weight of the tomato tree)Tomatoes need full sun - make sure your tomato plants get most of the available sun between 7am and 7pm during most of the summer.When the weather warms up use organic mulch around your plants to save precious water; to encourage more root growth and a stronger plant you can build the level of the mulch right up to the level of the bottom leaves.Don't store tomatoes in the fridge; this changes their consistency, making them mushy and less flavorful.Many problems with tomatoes can be avoided by maintaining proper pH levels.FOR COOLER CLIMATES - STARTING BEDDING PLANTS INDOORSWhy grow espalier tomatoes?When growing tomatoes make sure the conditions remain constant throughout the growing season, that means maintain a moist soil and do not let them dry out as you risk them being exposed to the disease blossom end rot, or you may find that the fruit will crack. Check the soil regularly; cheap gauges are readily available for this purpose. However, ensure that the ground does not become waterlogged as this can encourage fungal diseases.One pound of lime per 30 sq. ft. should be sufficient. Lime will also increase your levels of potassium (K).Once seedlings emerge, keep the room temperature no higher than 70�F and soil consistently moist but not soggy.We also discovered that broiling green tomatoes in the oven brings out the flavor and makes for fantastic salsa!Discard sick or spindly plants that could potentially be disease carriers.Use soft twine, strips of cloth, or strips cut from old pantyhose to tie up branches to stakes. Rough garden twine can cut into your plant.Indeterminate Varieties:Determinate varieties (bush varieties) grow 1-3� long/tall.If you know what diseases are prevalent in your area, buying seed varieties that are resistant to those diseases will be your best prevention.The job is to decide on a nice sunny position. Healthy tomato plants need 6 to 8 hours sunlight. Once the location is decided then the next steps can take place:Good companions with tomatoes are cucumber, lettuce, onion, parsley, basil (repels mosquito and flies), asparagus, bush beans, celery, carrots, mint and chives (promote health) and garlic.Tomatoes grow best in a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Correct amounts of calcium (lime) may be added to the soil to bring the pH level up.Occasionally pinch off the tip of the plant to promote more flowering and fruit production.To improvise, we just propped football-sized rocks under the tomato clusters of the unstaked plants to keep them off the ground. The result (due to the heat the rocks retained) was that we had tomatoes a full two weeks earlier than anyone else!Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye DennanStart your seeds 6-8 weeks before all danger of frost is past and garden soil temperature is 60�-70�F.3. Cover the holes on the bottom of the pot with fine mesh and fill the bottom 3 inches with small rocks to help with drainageAnd another variety question, "Why were we told that tomatoes are red?"Sowing tomato seeds 6-8 weeks (no earlier than 8 weeks) before setting out is sufficient growing time. Our plants are bushier and more vibrant when we are patient.Another method for achieving ripe tomatoes before the frost hits is to �stress� them by cutting the roots about half way around the plant with a shovel.Growing tomatoes from seed gives you access to a whole different world of these native South American jewels.Determinate plants set fruit once and stop.Tomatoes are the foundation of many preserved foods. Salsas, pizza and spaghetti sauces, soups, and chopped tomatoes are staples at our home.We�ve been successful planting in rocky soil (small stones). The rocks absorb and retain heat and keep the soil warm into the evening.One question we are asked is "What Does it Mean by �Days� on My Seed Packet"With just a little planning and not much hard work, you'll find growing tomatoes will satisfy your sense of achievement. They can be grown almost anywhere, in containers, greenhouses, balconies or the garden bed.If your particular plant requires staking, put the stake in the hole first to save damage to the rooting system. Be sure to water your plants as soon as you have transplanted them, you can use a seaweed fertilizer at this point.Yet, allowing indeterminate (see the addendum at the end of this article that discusses determinate and indeterminate tomato plants) tomato plants to sprawl across the ground will actually produce more fruit.My brother freezes his tomatoes whole. The advantage to freezing, is that you don't need to blanch your tomatoes; when you thaw the tomatoes, the skins come off as easily as if you'd blanched them.Pruned tomato plants are likely to produce fruit two weeks earlier than plants that are not pruned.We used to start our tomatoes indoors much earlier than we do now.You can start from seed or seedlings, why not experiment with both if you're a novice. If you are starting from seed then sow them indoors several weeks before you expect the last frost in your area and they will be ready to transplant outdoors when the soil warms up. Plant them in a position where they will receive six hours of sunshine a day. Prepare the soil, ensuring that it is well drained. To give a flying start to your season adding mushroom compost to the soil which works wonders for the seedlings.Continue weekly dose of liquid organic leaf spray until bloom.You will notice the numerous �hairs� on the stem. Each one of those fine hairs is a potential root and the more of these that can be placed in the ground the stronger root system will develop.There are two options when growing tomatoes�to stake or not to stake.The espalier system also makes tending the tomato plant easier as all the branches are accessible and therefore control of pests and diseases is easier. As the branches are spread out and the leaves get a better chance to dry, there is less chance of blight and other diseases taking a hold on the plant.6. As the plant grows spread the branches out to the left and right (although they can be taken one way if the pot has been placed at the end of the trellis) and tie to the trellis. Use 2 inch strips of nylon stocking or rag to secure the plant as they do not cut through the soft stems of the tomato plant.Applying plenty of organic compost, well-composted manure, and rock minerals (such as lime) listed above, will help strengthen your tomato plants against insects and disease.The most important clue to look for when choosing your tomato seeds is how many days the plant takes to produce ripe fruit.Once plants flower, side-dress plants with compost.STORAGE AND PRESERVATIONTransplant seedlings at least once to a larger flat or container before planting outside.When a frost is predicted, you have two choices�7. Prune unnecessary branches coming from the V-joints so that the branches that you kept have room to grow.Spider mites - If you see tiny red spots on undersides of the leaves it is likely spider mites. Yellow speckling on leaves may indicate your plant is being feasted on by these tiny pests. Knock them off by spraying with water or use a natural, organic insecticidal soap.Sow seeds in flats �� deep � 1� apart.GROWINGSort (by ripeness) and place in boxes, one layer thick. Store in a dark, warm area. Even green tomatoes will ripen.COMMON CHALLENGES GROWING TOMATOESCarefully break off lower branches that grow downwards. Pinch off any suckers (sprouts that grow between the main stem and the branches), leaving them on the top 1/3 of the plant to help shade the plant from sun scald.When a catalog lists �days� under the description of the seed, this is what it is referring to. Day 1 starts the day the plant is transplanted to the outdoors, not germination.Consistent and even watering practices also help to maintain plant health and prevent disease which can harm root growth and blossom production.4. Prepare the soil so that it is the right mix for tomato plants and it will probably need 8-8-8 fertilizer, organic compost and check for other nutrients as wellSeparate nightshade family plants in your garden from each other such as potatoes (prone to early and late blight), tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. They are subject to the same diseases.2. Have a pot that is a minimum of 12 inches (preferably 18 inches) across at the top or even biggerPLANTING (Planting seeds directly into the garden)HARVESTING TOMATOESTomatoes don't store well but will last several days on the counter, out of direct sunlight.Here in Eastern Washington, with our short growing season and long winters, it�s hard to resist the gardening bug that hits in February.One to two weeks before transferring your tomato�s from indoor conditions to outdoors, it is highly recommended to �harden off� your tomato plants.Sprinkle the bottom of each hole with several inches of loose compost (N). Place handful of bone meal (P) and 1 teaspoon Epsom salts (magnesium) which will encourage plant productivity and vitality.You can start them from seed easily; the varieties and choices you have to suit your tastebuds are endless, and you can expect abundant harvests, with few guidelines to follow. Home-grown tomatoes taste a lot better than commercially grown ones because you can pick and eat them fresh from the plant. You can get a better quality, tasting tomato from the seed catalogues and they give you a much wider range of tomatoes than any supermarket could possibly offer. The descriptions will help you find tomatoes that are exceptional and suited to your taste and environment.Watering should be moderate to high until fruit begins to ripen. During ripening, only small amounts of water should be applied to plants. This will allow for the best flavor in the tomatoes.With newly transplanted indoor seedlings, increase exposure to light and cut back slightly on the watering but don't allow soil to completely dry out.Staked tomatoes are less likely to rot (being off the ground). They produce higher levels of vitamin C due to more sun exposure.Tomatoes range in color from purple, green, yellow, pink, red, orange, white, & striped.BEST TIME TO PLANTThe main stem produces about 3 flower clusters; when flowers form at the tip, production stops.All other requirements of growing a strong tomato plant apply to one growing in a container, whether espaliered or not. It will need fertilizer, and organic compost. One step not to miss that is very important is to water the plant every day, preferably early morning. So when you have got this all set up, sit back and enjoy the growing process and most of all those delicious tomatoes at the end of the growing season.If using water walls (I speak from experience, here) be sure to remove them once the plant grows beyond the height of the wall. Otherwise, serious plant breakage may occur when removing the walls.Determinate Varieties:
If you know what diseases are prevalent in your area, buying seed varieties that are resistant to those diseases will be your best prevention.
Author: Barry Brown
