Growing Tomatoes from Seed to Harvest

Are you planting Tomatoes this year in your garden?  Not sure? Let's Get Started!

There are two basic kinds of tomatoes: Determinate and Indeterminate. 

Determinate tomatoes produce the fruit all at once. These are typically bush tomatoes, and make the best tomatoes for container gardening. Since all the tomatoes are ripe within a short period of time, these are great plant choices if you plan to can or have a short tomato growing season.

Indeterminate tomatoes grow on a vine. They will produce all season until the first frost.

Preferred Growing Conditions

Tomatoes love sun, and lots of it. Determinate or bush tomato plants work best for tomato container gardening. Soil should be rich in organic matter. Compost works best mixed in with the soil, and is a great organic fertilizer.
Tomatoes tend to do well in soil that is a little acidic. Get a soil pH tester if you are unsure of your soil's pH level.

Mulch will be important around tomato plants. Since tomato plants prefer full sun, the soil will dry out. Mulch will help retain moisture in the soil.

Starting Tomatoes from Seeds 

I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours.  This has increase the amount of seeds that germinate and how quickly they sprout.  Use organic potting soil if you are seed-starting indoors or in small containers to be transplanted outside.  Whether you direct sow or plant in containers, plant tomato seeds approx 1/4 inch below the soil.. Seeds can germinate in as few as 3 days (when I soak) and as many as 10 days. 

Amana's Orange tomato (beefsteak) seedlings

How to Plant Tomatoes

Space out tomato plants 13 - 17 inches apart. Really just follow the planting instructions with the variety you choose. It will all depend on the variety of tomato you grow. You just want to make sure they will have enough room to grow and the roots not compete with each other. You can plant tomato seedlings after the last frost. Seeds can be started just before the last frost.

Tomatoes do well in raised beds. Rows should be 4-5 feet apart. But, don't forget that determinate tomato varieties grow well in containers, too!

Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Growing these companion plants around tomatoes will be helpful: Basil, chives, oregano, parsley, onions, carrots, asparagus, marigolds, celery, and geraniums.
Borage can deter tomato hornworms and is a must in my garden! 

Some plants actually are bad to the health of tomato plants.

Avoid these plants around tomotoes: black walnut, corn, cabbage, potatoes, kale, and rosemary.

German Lunchbox Tomatoes

Maintaining Your Tomato Plants

Not sure what to do in the meantime? You will most likely need to stake your tomatoes. Again, depends on the variety. Bush tomatoes may need to be staked or caged for support. But, indeterminate tomatoes, or vine tomatoes, will definitely need support since they continue to grow all season. A trellis works nicely with vine tomatoes or a tomato cage.

Should you prune tomatoes? Depends on who you ask! Suckers, or side shoots, grow in the "v" of the stem and branch. You can pinch them off or leave them. Leaving the suckers on produces more tomatoes. But these will be smaller tomatoes. If you have a large tomato plant, like the indeterminates, you might want to prune the side shoots here and there. But don't go hog wild, you want these plants to produce.

When to Use Organic Fertilizer

It's a good idea to use organic fertilizer in your garden, and avoid the chemicals around your food. Typically, tomatoes are fertilized every 3-4 weeks, with the first fertilization at planting. The next time you're ready to fertilize should be about the time the plant is bearing small tomatoes. Some determinate varieties will only be fertilized two times, since they produce tomatoes all at once.

Borage: an edible Herb

In my garden I use organic and mostly homemade fertilizers such as compost, worm castings and even banana peals (great source of potassium).

When to Harvest Tomatoes

Tomatoes take 60-80 days to harvest. Just pick them when they have turned their full color. You can pick them early and let them ripen in the windowsill. But, the best tomato flavor is one that has ripened on the vine.

Tomato Pests and Diseases

Keep an eye out for tomato hornworms. They are the large, beautiful (or ugly) green worms that blend nicely with the stems.  Plant borage to deter these worms.
Diatomaceous Earth is another great Organic solution to pest control. 
Sprinkle DE around the base of the plant as well as on the leaves.

Sharing Here and Wildcrafting Wednesday

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