Home Grown Tomatoes

What better way to add to delicious summer salads than by growing your own juicy, mouth-watering tomatoes. The versatile tomato plant can be grown almost anywhere there’s sunshine for all or most of the day: in planters, pots, even hanging baskets; on patios, windowsills, balconies, and of course, in the garden.

Some tomatoes are huge beefsteak types with firm yet tender flesh. Others are bitesized cherry tomatoes that the children enjoy in theft lunch boxes. Then, there are those tangy red ones, especially good for canning and catsup. Golden yellow tomatoes of all types add their own mellow flavor.

Start out with professionally grown plants from your Johnson Garden Center or grow your own starting from seed sown between the middle of March and first weeks of April. If plants are purchased before the last frost-free date, condition by placing them outside in a sheltered place for a few days before planting; bring them in at night. Keep their young roots moist by watering every day. Plant them outdoors as soon as the danger of frost is past. If there is an unexpected late freeze, cover the young plants at night with paper or plastic.

Any average garden soil will grow tomatoes, and whatever you do to improve it will be amply rewarded by larger and more plentiful fruits. Diseases can build up in the soil so tomatoes should not be planted in the same location in the garden for more than two years in a row. Before planting, loosen the soil and condition it by adding organic mailer like Bumper Crop, manure, compost or leaf mold. Dig to a depth of fifteen to twenty centimeters.

Mix in a good general garden fertilizer, such as Master Nursery Master Start at the recommended rate. Once they are growing well, tomatoes benefit from added fertilizer every four to six weeks.

Plant tomatoes three to six feet apart, depending on variety. Make each hole sufficiently deep that the lower part of the stem will be buried. Tomato plants root vigorously from the buried stem portion, strengthening the plants.

Water as soon as the tomatoes are planted, and check in a few days to be sure the soil does not dry out.

A watering saucer or depression around each plant helps direct water to the young roots. Mulch with grass clippings, straw or black plastic to retain moisture and discourage weeds.

Continue to water thoroughly whenever the soil starts to dry out. Soaking every time is better for the whole root system than frequent sprinkling that dampens and encourages only surface roots. A steady supply of water is especially important when tomato fruits are developing.

For plants you are staking, place the stakes at planting time so roots will not be damaged later. Tomato cages are also available to support plants, small collars around the young plants - bottomless paper cups, milk cartons, plastic jugs or other material - protect against drying winds and cool temperatures.

When you start with vigorous, healthy plants, you can enjoy the fruits of early tomatoes eight to ten weeks after planting. Later varieties will ripen in about twelve weeks. Plant your own abundant tomatoes this summer.

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