How To Grow Tomatoes
2011-02-20 at 12:31 pm pshipley
How To Grow Tomatoes
Welcome to our How To Grow Tomatoes guide.
The subject of growing tomatoes and the countless varieties makes the subject of growing tomatoes a somewhat huge subject which would warrant an ebook all to itself so I am going to give an abbreviated, general guide to growing tomatoes.
In general terms growing tomatoes is best in a greenhouse environment.
Of course tomatoes can be grown outdoors too, particularly in warmer climates, so a greenhouse is not essential, but you will need somewhere light and warm to get them started before they go outside, such as a coldframe, or garden room, conservatory etc. Some varieties are even great for growing in hanging baskets!
Sowing Tomatoes
Some people prefer to by their tomato plants in, but for those of you wanting to know how to grow tomatoes from seed the sowing process is very simple. Sowing seeds indoors is best started in very late Winter or early Spring, but can be sown later depending on variety.
Tomato seeds are best sown initially in seed trays with seed compost. Try to space the seeds approximately 2cm / 0.75 inches apart. Place in a light, warm place and keep moist.
Growing Tomatoes On
Once seedlings are large enough to handle they can be pricked out and potted up into 7.5cm / 3 inch pots of compost, where they can continue growing until they reach 10-15cm (4-6 inches) in height. When they reach this stage they are ready for planting out.
Planting Tomatoes
If you are growing your tomatoes in a greenhouse then they can be planted using a few different methods. If you have a soil bed in your greenhouse then the tomato plants can be planted into the bed which should contain fresh soil and compost. Do not be tempted to use last years soil as it may contain pests and diseases.
Alternatively you could use grow-bags, usually 2 or 3 plants can be planted into each grow-bag.
And finally you could plant each plant into a large pot of compost set on a watering tray.
Planting Tomatoes Outdoors
If you wish to know how to grow tomatoes outdoors then established seedlings should be moved into their planting positions from late May onwards, after all chance of frost has gone. They will of course need to be hardened off over a period of 1 to 2 weeks to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions. Tomatoes will grow in good fertile soils, and poor soils if you feed them regularly.
Training Tomatoes
Dependant on the variety of tomato you are growing you may find that extra support is required to prevent damage occurring to branches and stems. Particularly as the fruit starts to appear as the weight of the fruit can put tremendous strain on the branches.
If required canes, wires, and strings can be used to produce a supporting framework for your plants.
Feeding And Watering Tomatoes
Watering is of course extremely important with tomatoes, they need need to be kept moist but do not like to be saturated. Tomatoes grown in greenhouses must be watched carefully as on hot days they can dehydrate very quickly. Ventilating your greenhouse by opening windows and doors and also damping down the greenhouse floor will help to reduce the build up of heat. You may find your tomatoes require watering more than once a day, so beware!
Tomatoes will benefit from feeding as fruits appear, these can be granular, or more commonly, liquid feeds. Regular feeding with a proprietary tomato feed will help to produce strong, healthy, tasty, tomatoes. Follow instructions according to the brand of feed you choose.
Tomato Plant Care
Pinching out of some shoots particularly later in the season can divert the strength of the plant into producing fruit rather than leafy growth. Removal of lower leaves will also direct the plants efforts into fruit production and improve air flow at the base of the plant. Again, though this will depend on the variety you are growing as to which shoots you pinch out if any.
Harvesting Tomatoes
Knowing how to grow tomatoes and growing tomatoes is one thing but you need to know when to harvest your tomatoes.
Depending on variety grown either pick individual tomatoes or complete trusses just prior to them becoming ripened. This encourages the plant into forming more fruits.
Place the picked tomatoes on a sunny window sill to complete the ripening process.
Suggested Tomato Varieties
`F1 Beefeater` – Large, heavy tomatoes.
`Ailsa Craig` – Medium sized nicely shaped.
`Alicante` – Strong cropping tomato.
`F1 Sungold` – Cherry sized strong fruiting.
`Tumbling Tom Yellow` – Suitable for hanging baskets.
Thank you for reading our simple How To Grow Tomatoes guide, why not check out our other vegetable growing guides and articles from the menu on the right side of this page. Good luck growing tomatoes!