If you’re interested in growing your own tomato plants, there are several tips that you should keep in mind. These include protecting the plants from frost, fertilizing them regularly, pinching the side shoots, and watering the plants.
Decide if you’re growing determinate or indeterminate varieties
If you’re planning to grow tomatoes in your yard, you need to know which variety to grow. There are two types, determinate and indeterminate, and they differ in their growth habits, length of fruit, and other factors. Knowing which one you’re growing will help you enjoy a bounty of fresh tomato harvest throughout the growing season.
Determinate varieties of tomatoes are generally bushy plants that don’t grow as tall as indeterminate varieties. They also don’t require a lot of pruning.
Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes, on the other hand, grow to great heights. Their branches are thick and strong, and their vines can sprawl over your garden bed. It’s not uncommon for indeterminate varieties to be six feet or more tall.
Indeterminate tomatoes can be quite heavy, especially during harvest time. You’ll need a sturdy support system if you want to keep them upright. The best way to keep them upright is to stake them with sturdy wooden or wire stakes. These stakes should be at least eight feet tall and should be driven into the soil.
Pinch out side-shoots
When growing tomatoes, you want to focus your energy on fruit rather than foliage. To do this, you need to prune your plant. There are two main methods. One involves pruning the side-shoots. The other method is pruning the top of the main stem.
Pinching out the side-shoots is not as hard as you might think. It can help you focus on growing the most delicious fruits. This is especially true if you are growing a determinate variety.
In general, pinching out the side-shoots is a good idea. You can do this to prevent your plant from getting out of control and causing damage. But you can also use it to redirect your energy to the ripe fruits that you are trying to harvest.
Pruning the top of the main stem will also help your plant to grow in a more controlled manner. This will keep your tomato plant from stumbling over itself. Aside from allowing you to focus your energy on the most nourishing fruit, it will also help keep your plant healthy.
Water the plants regularly
It is very important to water tomato plants regularly. Watering can help improve your plant’s growth and also increase the amount of tomatoes produced. The main goal of watering is to keep the soil moist enough for the plant to grow strong.
In the fruit-producing stage, it is best to water your tomato plants once or twice daily. This is because they require more water.
Tomato plants should be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart, allowing for healthy root development. You should make sure that your plants are planted in an area that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may need to water more frequently.
If you are growing tomato plants in containers, you should use well-rotted manure and mulch to hold moisture and prevent weeds from growing. A 2-inch layer of mulch can help retain moisture and prevent splashing of wet soil onto your plant’s leaves.
Fertilize with organic granular fertilizer
Tomato plants need a good amount of nutrients to grow healthy and produce a nice crop. You can find fertilizer at your local garden store that is formulated for tomatoes. The best fertilizer for tomatoes includes a mix of macro and micronutrients that will boost plant growth.
When selecting a tomato fertilizer, consider the type of plant you have and its stage of growth. If you have young plants, you should not use a chemical fertilizer because it can burn the plant. Instead, choose organic fertilizers. These fertilizers contain beneficial microbes that release nutrients into the soil. Organic fertilizers are less harmful to the environment, which makes them a better choice.
You can use fertilizer for tomatoes in the ground or in containers. It should be applied to the soil at the base of the plant. Watering the plant before applying fertilizer helps balance the absorption of the nutrients.
Protect from frost
When growing tomatoes in a cold climate, it’s important to protect them from frost. The cold can cause damage and rot fruit. In addition, cold weather can stunt the growth of flowers.
A good way to protect tomato plants from frost is to cover them up. There are many ways to do this. Here are some of the most common methods.
Frost covers: Frost covers are available at garden centers and hardware stores. They can be made from a variety of materials. Generally, they are made of polypropylene and are lightweight. However, heavy objects can weigh them down.
Frost cloth: Frost cloth can be made of canvas, cotton, plastic, or a combination of these. It should cover the entire structure. Be sure to cover the sides and the soil line.