Tomatoes are one of my favorite vegetable. It is very easy to grow as well as enjoyable to eat. Though technically it is the fruit of the plant but we all prefer to call this a vegetable. If proper care is taken, it can yield overwhelming results.
Biological name : Lycopersicon sp
The tastes of tomatoes are very sensitive to the surroundings. So rather than focusing on only one variety, it is always sensible to try 3 to 4 varieties. It will help you find out which is the best variety suitable to your locality.
Keep your tomato plant to a place where the sunlight is available in plenty. The fruit formation requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. The detail effect of sunlight on plants can be found here.
Tomato plants need support for growth. You need to build cage or stakes at the time of planting. Staking keeps fruits off the ground whereas cage help the plant to hold its upright position.
Tomato plant required plenty of water specially during summers. Do not wet the leaves or the stem of the plant. Always put water directly into the soil near the roots(see watering guide for details).
Take out any shoot that grows between the stem and main branches, these shoots always hinder the fruit growth. With the same logic cut off the top of the plant. It will help the plant to become more bushy with much more fruits.
You can start either from seed or through seedlings purchased from nurseries. If you are starting from seeds, it is recommended to use seedling trays.fill these trays with potting soil and sow the seeds there. It is important to keep the trays indoor until the seed germinates. Once they have grown up to 15- 20 cm you can transplant them outdoor. See transplantation techniques for detail.
Before planting the seedlings make the soil ready by tilling and mixing compost or manure with the soil. It is recommended to plant the seedlings 2ft apart.
It is necessary to keep the soil fertile. Add fertilizers two week prior to picking and two weeks after the picking.
Tomatoes are particularly susceptible to many pests and diseases. Horn-worms, Aphids, white-flies are few of the pests which can reduce the production of tomatoes. Late blight(specially during monsoon) and distorted leaves are the common diseases to the plant. It is always wise to plant basil along with your tomato plant. it will help in distracting little pests from your tomato plant. This type of planting is called companion planting.
Never pick tomatoes in green condition they will rot before get ripe. Leave them on the vine as long as possible. Never try to refrigerate ripe tomatoes. It will spoil the texture and taste of the perfectly ripe home grown tomato which is best eaten sun warm from the kitchen garden.
Do these simple steps and you can enjoy your home grown favorite vegetable and also find the distinctive flavor and taste which are definitely missing when you bye those from the stores.
Thanks for reading. Keep your comments coming.
Read more about tomatoes:
FAQs About Tomato Growing
Top 8 pests of Tomatoes
Simple steps to save tomato seeds
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