Introduction
Tomatoes are the most common food to grow in a home garden, and nothing tastes better than sliced tomatoes from the yard on a burger. Everything from when to plant tomatoes to what kind of care they need is included in this comprehensive guide. Even if you’ve never done this before, it’s fine. This guide will make it easy for you to grow tomato plants. Soon, you’ll be able to pick a lot of tasty tomatoes to use in sandwiches, salads, and other dishes.
How to Take Care of Tomato Plants
Tomatoes need full sun for at least eight hours a day. If the plants don’t get enough sun, they will grow thin and make few or no flowers. When picking a place for your yard, ensure it gets at least eight hours of sun daily. Also, the place needs to be well-drained so the water doesn’t pool when it rains. Poor draining is the cause of many tomato diseases. Planting on a raised bed is a smart choice if your yard has one garden space that has to be well-drained.
To make the earth good for growing tomato plants, you can till in compost or other organic matter, like horse manure. About 3 to 4 inches of compost or other organic matter should be spread over the garden area a few weeks before planting. This should then be worked into the upper 5 to 6 inches of soil. This will also split up soil clods and make it simpler for roots to penetrate the soil. Tomato cages, a trellis, or other means of plant support should be set up when planting. Another option is to grow tomatoes with stakes at either end and rope between them.
Since tomatoes grow on plants, they will enjoy moving along the ropes. You must check on the plants daily. Daily monitoring of the plants is necessary to get them used to growing along the ropes. Gardening tape or soft ribbon may be needed to attach them to the ropes delicately. Ties should be open so plants won’t be cut off as they grow. Plants can be tied together without hurting with a soft cloth or green floral tape.
How to Pick Tomatoes and Store Them
Most tomato plants will start making fruit once the temperature exceeds 55 degrees Fahrenheit. When fruit is fully ripe, has a solid color, and is hard, it is ready to be picked. The fruit tastes better the longer it stays on the plant. Cut or gently twist the fruit off, careful not to hurt the vine.
Tomatoes should not be put in the fridge after they have been picked. Tomatoes lose their taste when they get cold, so the best place to store them is on the kitchen table or in a dry and warm place. Tomatoes will lose their taste when the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let’s say the tomatoes still hang on the vine as the temperature drops. If that happens, tomatoes can be picked early and kept in a warm, dark place. Don’t put it there! Those left on the window sill will become red and lack the delicious, vine-ripened tomato tastes. Those left to ripen from the light will finally ripen and taste better.
Conclusion
Whether you grow them indoors or out, have a whole garden bed or live in a compact apartment or small house, tomato plants are a great way for gardeners of every stage of life to spend time getting their hands dirty and experience the difficulty and reward of growing a bumper tomato crop.
