Tomato – Vegetable garden

Tomato is the most prevalent of the garden vegetable. They are anything but difficult to develop, deliver a parcel of leafy foods rich in vitamins A, B and C. They can be utilized new or cooked, in plates of mixed greens or sauces and can be solidified, got dried out or canned. Tomato natural product are red, pink, white, orange, green on the other hand yellow, contingent upon the assortment. Generally are round, yet some are pear-molded.

The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is native to the Andes mountains in South America. People thought tomatoes were poisonous until the 1700’s. They are related to other plants such as the weed nightshade that contain a chemical poison. There is a small amount of the chemical in the leaves and other green parts of tomatoes and in unripe tomato fruit but it is not enough to harm people. Tomatoes can not withstand cold temperature. Although they are perennial in the tropics they are annual in the cold climate of the Midwest.

Tomatoes have two types of growth pattern. One is called determinate. Another type is called indeterminate.

• Determinate tomatoes form flowers and fruit at the ends of branches.
• Indeterminate tomatoes form flowers and fruit at the point where two branches meet.

Kinds of tomatoes: 

All-purpose tomatoes are medium-size and used for a variety of purposes. Early varieties produce tomatoes from transplants in as little as 49 days. Cherry and grape tomatoes are small, tangy or sweet and grow in clusters. Heirloom tomatoes are older tomato varieties with desirable characteristics. Paste tomatoes are used for making sauces or ketchup. Giant tomatoes produce the largest tomatoes.

Scientific Name: Solanum lycopersicum

Common Name: Tomato

How to grow and maintain Tomato:

Picking your plant:

Short-season varieties are sure to produce, even in our coolest summers. Many heirlooms (proven varieties that have been around for a long time) require a longer growing season, but reward you with unique colors and superior flavor. Indeterminate varieties usually fruit continually over an extended period compared to determinate varieties, which tend to produce one large crop (best for preserving). We suggest home gardeners begin with at least three plants; one cherry tomato, one short-season tomato, and one long-season heirloom tomato.

Location:

Choose a sunny location for your plant or plants. Indeterminate tomato plants require more room (and a larger tomato cage) than determinate varieties. Leave plenty of room between plants for adequate air circulation.

Temperature:

Tomato plants don’t like temperatures below 40°, so keep your plants inside and protected until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 40° (often Late-May or Early-June). Cool nighttime temperatures can cause a tomato plant’s leaves to curl and will retard its growth.

Soil:

For each plant, dig an oversized hole and mix plenty of good-quality compost into the existing soil you will reuse. As you’re preparing your compost/soil mixture, add some bone meal or garden lime (about 3 to 6 tbsp) and about 3 tbsp of Espoma Tomato-Tone organic fertilizer.

Planting:

Water your plants thoroughly several hours before transplanting, then pinch off any blooms (yes, really). Set your tomato plant deep in the hole you’ve prepared so that up to 1/3 of the exposed stem is below the soil line. This will allow more roots to develop, resulting in a stronger plant. Gently backfill around the plant with your compost/soil mix and water thoroughly. If you are using a tomato cage (small for determinate varieties, large for indeterminate varieties), you may place it securely over the plant at this time.

Watering:

Tomato plants need consistent watering but should not be over-watered. If you pay attention, they will alert you by drooping the tips of their leaves when they need water. At the first sign of leaf droop, water deeply.

Fertilizing:

Lightly scratch 3 tbsp of Espoma Tomato-Tone into the soil at the base of each plant every two weeks throughout the growing season. Tomato & Pepper Set can be applied to blossoms to improve fruit set. If signs of end rot appear on your fruit, apply liquid calcium (Yield Booster) to the foliage. Prior to fall frost, pick
any remaining fruit and move indoors to finish ripening.