Grow Tasty Plump Tomatoes

Tomatoes are among the most commonly grown plants on Earth. The red vegetable is actually properly classified as a fruit and is often used for salads, sauces, a favourite of many kids and adults—ketchup. Move through the steps below to unlock the secret of growing big, delicious tomatoes right in your garden.

Choosing your plants

 * 1) Research the varieties. Pick your favorite varieties, paying special attention to the ones that do well in your area.
 * 2) Grow your own plants from seeds or buy tomato transplants from a commercial grower.
 * 3) *If you decide to use seeds, begin to grow them from six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Tomatoes will die really fast if the frost catches them.
 * 4) *If you buy your transplants, avoid large plants in small pots. Don't buy tomato plants with weak root systems or ones that look sick and have yellow leaves. They will die pretty fast and you won't even get the chance to harvest tasty tomatoes.

Picking a suitable location

 * 1) Plant the variety of your choice in a sunny location. Tomatoes are sun-loving plants and they require at least six hours of sunlight each day. Pick a sunny spot in your garden with a lot of free space to provide "elbow room" for each plant.
 * 2) Work up the soil and add some compost to it.
 * 3) Rotate your tomato beds each year. This will help prevent the appearance and spread of soil-born diseases. Crop rotation is a popular practice among organic and home gardeners. It aids the balance of soil fertility, keep pests away, and help plants stay healthy.

Planting

 * 1) Plant your tomatoes deep. Dig a deep planting hole.
 * 2) Untangle the roots. Before you put the plant in the soil, make sure its roots aren’t bunched or tangled. Note that soil can cover the first set of leaves without any detrimental effects to the plant. This way the roots will grow around the stem and keep the tomato plant firmly to the ground.
 * 3) Leave plenty of empty space between the plants. This allow air to circulate and also helps each plant to get get necessary sunlight.

Care during the growing season

 * 1) Provide support for the plants. When your tomatoes grow bigger, they will need support to stay up. You can let them sprawl over the ground, but this isn't a good idea. Mice and other critters will likely feast upon the ripened, plump fruits.
 * 2) *You can use prefabricated tomato cages or build your own from wooden stakes and twine. If you take the time to properly secure the plants above the soil, you will improve tomato growth and minimize any damage.
 * 3) Provide about six inches of water each week after the plants are established. You don’t want to dry your plants but you don’t want them to drown either.
 * 4) *Regular watering is the key. For the first weeks after planting your tomatoes you should water them every day or every other day.
 * 5) *When the stems have thickened, back off on the frequency of watering. Let them dry out for a few days and then use plenty of water again. This encourages the root system to grow deep into the soil.
 * 6) *When your plants begin to bear fruit you should water them daily. This is best done in the morning.
 * 7) Fertilize the plants. Tomato growth can be boosted with the help of commercial fertilisers or compost. If you want to stick to organic gardening, you should use compost or well-seasoned manure. Spread it around your plants and you will see results sooner than you think.
 * 8) Remove weeds regularly. Weeds add to plant diversity and, ultimately, benefit the ecosystem, but your tomato plot is not the place to promote eco-diversity. Weeds take up sunlight, water, and nutrients, leaving less for your tomato plants. Ultimately, weeds choke the tomato plants and rob them of vigor.
 * 9) *It is best to extract weeds by hand or smother them with newspapers and a thick layer of compostable material.

Tips

 * Gently pinch off suckers by hand. It is best to also prune non-fruiting branches and trim dead leaves.
 * Plant successive batches of tomato plants every few weeks. This way your harvest season will be extended.
 * Pick your tasty plump tomatoes after they reach full size and are fully coloured.

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