Tomato
A garden favorite, tomatoes are tender perennials that are grown as annuals in temperate climates. Easy to grow and prolific, tomatoes are the most widely grown garden plants.
A garden favorite, tomatoes are tender perennials that are grown as annuals in temperate climates. Easy to grow and prolific, tomatoes are the most widely grown garden plants.
There are thousands of varieties and cultivars of tomatoes – and choices for every taste and every region. Botanically, a tomato is a fruit – a berry. However, the tomato is considered a culinary vegetable because it has a much lower sugar content than culinary fruits and is more savory than sweet.
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which also includes potatoes, peppers, and eggplants. They are a popular vegetable in many parts of the world and are known for their juicy, flavorful fruit. There are many different varieties of tomatoes, ranging in size, shape, and color, and they can be grown in a variety of climates. They are commonly used in a variety of dishes and are a good source of vitamins A and C.
While the fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked, the leaves, stems, and roots are toxic and should not be eaten.
Tomatoes can be grown from seeds, transplants, or from stem cuttings. Tomatoes are long-season, heat-loving plants that won’t tolerate frost. If you are planting seeds, start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow the seeds in seedling trays or pots filled with seed starting mix, about 1/2-inch deep. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, you can transplant them into the garden. If you are planting transplants, choose healthy plants with strong stems and roots, and plant them in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Staking and caging can keep developing fruit off the ground, avoid disease and pests, and also help the plant to stay upright.
If growing vining tomatoes, pinch off suckers (new, tiny stems and leaves between branches and the main stem). This aids air circulation and allows more sunlight into the middle of the plant. Gently tie the stems to stakes with twine or soft string. As the plant grows, trim the lower leaves from the bottom 12 inches of the stem.
The spacing for tomatoes depends on the variety you are growing. Determinate varieties, which are smaller and have a more compact growth habit, can be planted closer together, with about 18-24 inches between plants. Indeterminate varieties, which are larger and have a more sprawling growth habit, should be spaced further apart, with about 36 inches between plants.
Tomatoes need consistent moisture to grow and produce fruit. Water the plants deeply and regularly, making sure to wet the soil down to the root zone. Avoid getting water on the foliage, as this can encourage diseases. In hot or dry weather, you may need to water your tomatoes daily. Mulching the soil around the plants can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Tomatoes benefit from regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and fruit production. To grow the juiciest, most flavorful tomatoes, your tomato plants need a steady diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other key nutrients. Before planting, work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to add organic matter and nutrients.
For the early stage of growth, you’ll want a balanced fertilizer with equal or near-equal proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A general-purpose granular or liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is a good choice.
Once the plants are established before the first flowers you can switch to fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus and potassium (12-15-30), as these nutrients will help to produce flowers and ripen fruit. At that stage, tomatoes require moderate levels of nitrogen and moderate to high levels of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. A higher level of potassium is also regarded to make plants more resistant to diseases and also to tolerate stress. Feed every 10–14 days to boost fruiting once the first fruits start to swell. You can also use a side-dressing of compost every few weeks to supplement the nutrients in the soil.
Follow the directions on the package for the appropriate amount to use. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to foliage growth at the expense of fruit production. If you’re unsure, it’s better to start with a slightly lower dosage and adjust as needed based on plant response and soil conditions.
The days to maturity for tomatoes depend on the variety you are growing. Some varieties mature in as little as 50-60 days, while others can take up to 80-90 days or more. You can find the days to maturity listed on the seed packet or plant label.
Tomatoes are typically ready to be harvested when they are fully ripe and have reached their desired color. This can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions. To harvest, gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine. Avoid pulling on the stem, as this can damage the plant.
Tomatoes can be stored at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage. To store tomatoes in the refrigerator, place them stem-side down on a tray or in a single layer in a container. Avoid stacking the tomatoes, as this can cause bruising.
There are two main categories of tomato plants: determinate and indeterminate, each with distinct growth patterns and characteristics.
Determinate tomatoes, better known as bush varieties grow 2 to 3 feet tall. These varieties tend to provide numerous ripe tomatoes at one time. They do not put on much leaf growth after setting fruit and tend to fruit for a (relatively) brief period of time. They are generally productive earlier than the vining varieties, and not in the latter part of the growing season. Determinate tomatoes do not require staking or caging. These plants are ideal for containers and small spaces.
Indeterminate tomatoes are known for their sprawling and vining growth habit. These plants continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season, often reaching significant heights and requiring support, such as stakes or trellises. Indeterminate tomatoes are a good choice for those who want a steady supply of tomatoes over an extended period. They are ideal when space is limited, as they grow vertically, tall and narrow. Indeterminate Tomatoes require regular maintenance such as watering, feeding, tying to supports, and removing suckers. Most beefsteak and cherry tomatoes are indeterminate.
There are a few plants that make good companions for tomatoes in the garden which can help improve the overall health and productivity of the tomato plants. Some options include basil, which can repel pests and improve the flavor of the tomatoes, and marigolds, which can also help repel pests and improve the soil. Other good companions for tomatoes include carrots, onions, chives, asparagus, borage, calendula, celery, coneflowers, dill, oregano, garlic, lettuce, nasturtium, parsley, sweet basil, sunflowers, sweet alyssum, and thyme.
Avoid planting tomatoes near plants that are prone to the same pests and diseases, such as potatoes and eggplants, or peppers. Also, avoid planting tomatoes with fennel, kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, or corn, as these plants can negatively impact the growth of tomatoes.
Tomatoes can be prone to various pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, cutworms, and tomato hornworms. To control pests, you can use organic methods such as releasing beneficial insects or using traps, or you can use chemical pesticides. If you choose as a last resort to use insecticides like Sevin, keep in mind that you may be killing beneficial insects as well.
Common diseases include blights, blossom end-rot, wilts, and mosaic viruses. To keep your tomatoes healthy, you can practice good gardening hygiene by rotating your crops, removing any infected plants, and avoiding overhead watering. To further prevent diseases, you can also apply fungicide before any symptoms appear and continue treatment throughout the season.
Blossom-End Rot: Causes the bottom side of the tomato to develop dark, sunken spots, due to a calcium imbalance because of uneven watering.
Early Blight: This is a fungal disease that causes leaves to drop. It starts with dark, concentric spots (brown to black), about 1/2-inch in diameter on the lower leaves and stems. If you catch it early and destroy infected leaves, your plant may survive. The best defense for tomatoes is good ventilation and stripping off the lower leaves as the fruits develop. This also helps the ripening process, as tomatoes have maximum exposure to the sun.
Late Blight: Iis a fungal disease that causes grey, moldy spots on leaves and fruit, which later turn brown. The disease is spread and supported by persistent damp weather. Unfortunately, once your tomato has late blight, there’s really no solution.
Mosaic Virus: Creates distorted leaves and causes young growth to be narrow and twisted, and the leaves become mottled with yellow. Unfortunately, infected plants should be destroyed.
Fusarium Wilt: Starts with yellowing and wilting on one side of the plant and moves up the plant as the fungus spreads. Unfortunately, once this disease strikes, the plant needs to be destroyed.
Powdery Mildew: This is a fungal disease that leaves white spots or a dusting of white on the leaves.
Cracking: This can occur when fruit growth is too rapid. This usually occurs due to uneven watering or uneven moisture from weather conditions, such as very rainy periods mixed with dry periods. Keep moisture levels constant with consistent watering and mulching.
In conclusion, tomatoes stand as versatile and beloved crops with many varieties catering to diverse tastes and climates. Their classification as a fruit, yet culinary use as a vegetable, underscores their unique place in the plant world. Armed with this information, one can embark on a journey to grow these juicy, flavorful fruits, adding vibrancy to a range of culinary delights.