Looking for some tips on caring for tomato plants?
Over time we all learn tips and tricks which help us during the growing season to produce more vegetables, color our gardens, the landscape, and even the lawn.
Little things like don’t plant unless the soil is above X degrees. Tomato plants have their “tricks” as well which help produce high yield crops of tomatoes.
Here are some do’s and don’ts about caring for tomato plants.
Growing Tomato Plants – 8 Do’s and 5 Don’ts.
Don’t
Buy seedlings of tomato plants that are already flowering. You might believe you’ll be one step ahead. But… tomato plants first need to get their roots firmly established in the potting soil before flowering and producing fruits. Let them start and flower in your garden.
Do
When growing tomato plants – pinch the flowers of the future first fruits on budding plants. It might sound ridiculous, but you’ll get greater yields by pruning tomato plants in the long run.
Don’t
Over fertilize your crops of tomato plants. The majority of the people think that by adding more slow-release fertilizer, a plant grows faster, you’ll double or increase yields in the same proportion.
Too much nitrogen fertilizer in the soil will lead to more foliage and wonderful bushes. The tomato plants will look healthy but unproductive.
It is also one of the reasons for blossom end rot.
If you want to enrich your soil, use more soil compost; not additional water-soluble fertilizer. Same applies for your peppers
Do
Add a bit of Epsom salts for tomatoes to do well. When Epsom salt is added to their roots, and if they don’t need it, it will cause no harm. It’s good to take preventive measures so as to ensure healthier tomato plants.
Do
When starting tomato plants from seed and it is time to transplant (late spring or early summer), plant your seedling several inches deep with the tops sticking out. It’s often called “Planting up to their necks.”
This enables tomato plants to grow a strong root system. The better the roots and root system, the more yields you’ll get because your growing tomatoes will get more nutrients and water intake.
Don’t
Water your tomatoes from the above, if possible. Watering them from above will make the soil splash up on the stems, thereby making them susceptible to tomato plant diseases.
Use a dripping system or soaker hose whenever you want to water your tomatoes and maintain soil moisture.
Do
Mulch your tomatoes, especially when you’re using overhead irrigation system.
This will help to prevent the soil from splashing on the tomato stems as well as keeping the garden soil around the tomato plant moist.
Do
Stake your tomato plants. Tomato cages are a popular and easy way to increase yield, reduce disease and make caring for them easier.
Do
Know the type of tomatoes you’re growing. Understand that planting “determinate type” of tomatoes might stop producing fruits suddenly.
Also, know the type of plants that you will plant along tomatoes. Great companion plants for tomatoes include jalapeno pepper, nasturtiums, calendula, carrots, basil, and more.
Don’t Stress When You Harvest Tomatoes
Don’t stress over having too many tomatoes! If you’re having tomatoes in plenty or concerned about the fruit flies invading your kitchen because of the influx of the tomatoes?
Simply wash a good number and store them in the freezer. Defrost them after some time. You’ll see the tomatoes skin slipping off.
Do
Plant several tomato varieties if you have ample space for them; Plum and Roma’s tomatoes are the best varieties for preserving and slicing for fresh eating. On the other hand, Beefmaster tomatoes, an indeterminate plant belong under low maintenance tomato variety.
Cherry tomatoes are ideal for snacking. I love the “ugly” tomato for putting on a sandwich. Plant your tomatoes having known the intention of your planting
Don’t Plant One Tomato
Don’t transplant one tomato plant from their containers to the outside world before the soil temperature hits 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
The soil temperature is determined by how close the sun is, the amount of sunshine the area receives, and the depth of the sun warmth.
The surface of the soil can feel warm, but 6″ inches from the surface still feel cold. You can plant the tomatoes when the overnight lows are reliably above 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
It will still work, but it’s best to wait until the soil temperature is above 50° degrees Fahrenheit and plant your tomatoes in direct sunlight.
Do
Speed the growing and maturing of your tomatoes by covering the soil area with black plastic and tilling the soil around often.
If you plant early in the season, keep the tomatoes warm by using cloches. Canning jars can still keep plants warm on cool evenings. But, don’t let the plants get fried by the heat. These containers can only be used when the fruits are still young and green.
Do
Protect your tomatoes from different tomato pests such as the tomato hornworm caterpillar, tomato frog, tomato fruitworm, leaf-footed bug, stink bug and more. Check your tomatoes regularly to make sure they are not infested.
Related: Does Neem Oil Control Tomato Hornworms
Keeping leaves and fruit off the ground will also, protect them from tomato plant diseases such as tomato rot, late blight, fusarium wilt, and more by proper watering and use of organic tomato fertilizers.
