Growing Great Tomatoes

Control Tomato Pests With These Organic Gardening Tips

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

These organic gardening tips make it easy to control common garden pests that you are sure to encounter as a tomato gardener.

Common Tomato Pests

Creepy critters like cutworms, flea beetles, grasshoppers, spider mites, and root weevils are all too eager to feast on your beautiful, healthy tomato plants.

However, four of the most common tomato pests you want to guard against are aphids, stink bugs, tomato fruitworms and the tomato hornworm.

The damage these pests cause varies, so it pays to know exactly what to look for so you know what method of action to take before too much damage is done.

So, let’s look at each one and discuss some organic solutions to get rid of them.

Aphids

These tiny green or black insects can either be winged or wingless and like to hang out in clusters on the bottom side of tomato leaves or tomato stems.

They suck moisture and nutrients out of your tomatoes, causing curled and yellowed leaves and stunted plants.

Stink Bugs

True to their name, stink bugs let off a very foul odor if threatened or squashed.

Both nymphs and adults damage your tomatoes by sucking their sap and attacking the fruit.

Regardless of their age, stink bugs look exactly the same with an easily recognized shield-shaped body.

Adults can be black, brown or green, and either with or without markings.

Youths are basically just smaller versions of the adult stink bug.

When they attack your tomatoes, your plants are weakened and young fruit may form improperly as a result.

Yellow-white spots beneath the skin of ripened fruit are a common sign of stink bug damage to your crops.

Tomato Fruitworms

Also known as the corn earworm, these pink, green or brown insects with light striping grow to nearly 2 inches long.

They are actually moth larvae that bore into tomato fruit to feed.

The moths lay their eggs close to tomato stems with green fruit, and approximately a week later, you have a tomato fruit worm problem.

Tomato Hornworms

Tomato hornworms strip the leaves from tomato plants and also feed on green tomatoes.

They feed on the surface instead of boring into the developing tomato, so the fruit looks like ir has large open scars – or bitemarks – on it.

The moths lay their eggs on the underside of the tomato leaves at dusk with each moth laying one to five eggs per visit.

In the summer, the hornworms emerge from their eggs in about four days.

Then they feed for three weeks before a new generation of moths emerge.

Products from Amazon.com

-38%

The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control: A Complete Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Garden and Yard the Earth-Friendly Way (Rodale Organic Gardening)

Price: $15.42

Was: $24.99
Organic Pest Control The Practical Guide: How To Naturally Protect Your Home, Garden & Food from Pests & Pesticides (Green Thumb)

Price: $6.38
Safer Brand 32 oz Ready To Use Tomato & Vegetable Insect Killer 5087 (2 Pack)

Price: $26.51
Beneficial Trichogramma / Caterpillar Predator 4000 Count Organic Pest Control

Price: Out of stock

Organic Garden Pest Control Solutions

Once you see any of these common and frustrating tomato pests on your plants, you want to take immediate action.

For starters, spray the affected areas with a strong stream of water to dislodge these insects.

If you spray water on the plants early in the morning for several days consecutively, you are sure to eliminate multiple generations of these quickly multiplying pests.

Once you have done that, you will want to employ the following organic pest control methods:

Hand picking works well for insects such as the tomato hornworm, tomato fruitworm and stinkbugs. Fill a large can with a lid with hot, soapy water. Then take the time to put on a pair of gardening gloves before you try to pick any of them up. Remove the lid from the can of hot soapy water and drop the pests into it, then quickly put the lid back on. When you are done, is best to leave the can sit outdoors overnight in a safe area to make sure the pests drown.
Weeding keeps the areas around your plants free from weeds and other garden debris because this eliminates a favorite habitat and hiding place for many garden pests.
Introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs, praying mantis, and lacewings (all available for order online) to your garden and let them do what they do best. Alternatively plant a beneficial insect seed mix to attract them into your garden and keep them there.
Mix organic insecticidal soap with water according to package directions – or buy a pre-mixed solution and apply it directly to the tomato pests for best results.
Neem oil is an organic, plant-based oil that is very effective against aphids, stink bugs and tomato fruit worms. You can find it in many garden centers or order it online. Apply according to package directions for best results.

Oee thing that you do need to know if you choose to use any type of spray in your garden – even if it is organic – is that the same pesticides that kill insects also kill the beneficial bugs, so I highly encourage you to only do that as a last resort.

Garden pests are often an inevitable fact of life for tomato gardeners, however in addition to the tips above making sure your soil is healthy is a great way to prevent insect infestation in the first place.

However, with a little education and the right resources, you can to protect your hard work so you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons on the right hand side of the screen to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

How To Combat Blossom End Rot

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

Blossom rot, or blossom end rot, is a common problem encountered by tomato gardeners.

Below are some tips to help you recognize and combat blossom end rot in tomatoes.

There are also links to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

How To Recognize Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot is characterized by a dark, rotten spot at the bottom of developing tomatoes.

Blossom end rot first presents itself as a dime or quarter-sized brown or black spot on the end of the tomato opposite the stem.

Unfortunately, you may find this small blossom end rot spot signifies that the tomato is totally rotted out inside.

Fortunately, there are ways to combat blossom end rot before it starts, but once it appears on an individual fruit, there is no way to cure the affected tomato.

Although you can cut away the rotted portion and safely eat the rest as long as the entire tomato is not rotted out inside, it is best to eliminate the problem before it reaches that point.

Unchecked, you can lose a large portion of your entire tomato crop to this condition.

As always, prevention is the best medicine.

The Cause Of Blossom End Rot

What causes blossom rot to start is a deficiency in calcium.

In order for tomato plants to grow their fruit properly, they need an adequate amount of calcium.

Even if you have plenty of calcium in your soil, your plants may not be able to effectively absorb it for a number of reasons.

When this occurs, your plants are at risk of contracting blossom rot.

Therefore, the way to prevent blossom rot is to ensure your plants have access to enough calcium and are able to absorb it appropriately.

Test The Soil pH Before You Plant

Before you plant your tomatoes, be sure to have your soil tested or do it yourself with an inexpensive soil testing kit.

Ideally, your soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH somewhere between 6.0 and 6.8.

If your soil is too acidic, you can add some limestone or lime to increase the pH.

Use caution when adding these amendments, however.

If you add too much, you’ll end up with soil that is too alkaline.

If this occurs, or if your soil is naturally alkaline, you can amend it with rich organic matter, elemental sulfur or an acidifying fertilizer, such as ammonium sulfate.

It can be very challenging to lower soil pH, however, because limestone in the ground is continually dissolving.

If you live in an area where alkaline soil is a fact of life, you may want to build raised beds to create a more hospitable growing environment for your plants.

Soil pH is important because if the soil it too alkaline or too acidic the nutrients in the soil won’t dissolve easily, thus meaning the plants roots won’t be able to take them up.

Adequate Water Is Important

Once your soil is at the optimum pH level, you’ll want to ensure your plants are receiving enough water on a consistent basis.

Optimal tomato growth requires regular and deep watering so that water gets all the way down to the entire root system.

Tomatoes won’t flourish if you allow them to go dry between watering sessions.

So, be sure your plants receive 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, but don’t go overboard and give them too much.

Fortunately, blossom end rot usually shows up at the very beginning of the season as first fruits appear however it can show up anytime during the growing season.

If you notice your tomatoes are showing possible signs of blossom rot, make sure your plants are watered deeply every 4 to 5 days.

If it is extremely hot in your area, water them more frequently and keep in mind that container grown tomatoes often need watering daily.

To determine when it is time to water your plants, dig down 3 or 4 inches into the soil and see if the soil is moist.

If it is, wait 24 hours and check again.

If the soil at that level is dry, it is time to water.

Mulching the area around the tomato plants with 3 inches of compost is a great way to help keep the soil moist and add nutrients the tomatoes need to thrive.

Fertilize With Kelp

Many tomato gardeners swear by liquid kelp extract or kelp fertilizer as a way to combat blossom end rot.

Kelp is a very nutrient-rich form of seaweed with many useful gardening applications.

The extract and fertilizer are readily available in local garden centers, farm stores, large home improvement stores or via online retailers.

You may want to test it out on part of your garden to see how it works for you.

Although blossom rot can be a challenging garden dilemma, a little preparation and planning will go a long way towards banishing it from your garden.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons on the right hand side of the screen to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

SaveSave

Tomato Seed Starting Tips

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

The decision to grow tomatoes from seed is a personal one but there are many advantages especially for those who desire to grow organic, heirloom tomatoes.

These tomato seed starting tips are meant to help you learn how easy it is to start your own seeds indoors.

There are also links below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Some tomato gardeners prefer to purchase plants that they can transplant directly into their yard, garden or containers.

Other gardeners are a bit more adventurous and prefer the more hands-on process of growing tomatoes from seed.

Of course, this is a more time-intensive process than simply buying an established plant at the store.

However, it is tough to beat the sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing the results of your patient efforts take shape.

Growing tomatoes from seed is not difficult, but it does take a little know how.

Choosing Tomato Seeds

For starters, you have to start with the right kind of seeds.

You won’t get great results with hybrid tomato varieties unless you buy the seeds from the store.

When gardeners save seeds of hybrid tomatoes from their own garden, they don’t grow true to the parent plant the way a good, old-fashioned heirloom does.

There are many good heirloom varieties to grow from seed.

So do yourself a favor and start with seeds from your favorite heirloom varieties and follow the steps outlined below.

Soon, you will be growing the healthiest, tastiest and most beautiful tomatoes you can imagine.

When To Start Tomato Seeds

Start the tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost in your area.

If you aren’t sure when to start, simply input your zip code into the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

How To Start Tomato Seeds

To get started, purchase several containers of sterile seed growing mix, peat pots or plastic seed starter pots. Another option is to use peat pellets.
Put the soil into a plastic tub or other container that does not leak and add enough hot water to moisten the soil then fill your pots. For those using peat pellets simply add enough hot water to the seed starting tray the pellets are in for them to fully expand. I use hot water because it absorbs into the soil better and I pre-moisten the soil so I don’t end up with dry spots in the center of the pots.
Next make very shallow holes with a pencil or bamboo skewer that about 1/4 inch deep. You want just one hole per seed starting container or peat pot. If you are using peat pellets, the indentations are already there.
Place one seed into each hole.
Sprinkle vermiculite or more seed starting mix on top of each seed so 1/4 inch of soil is over the top of each seed.
Place these containers in an area which consistently reaches and holds 75 to 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.
Water from the bottom as necessary using warm water. I generally allow 1/8 inch of water to sit in the bottom of my seed starting containers until I see the seeds begin to germinate. This keeps the soil from drying out.
As soon as you see the seeds begin to sprout, immediately add a strong light source from either florescent grow bulbs or natural sunlight – and if you are using a plastic cover of any type on top of the trays the seeds are in, remove it.
Continue to water the plants from the bottom using warm water. The idea is to keep the soil moist but not allow the pots to sit in water continually. I typically water every 2 to 3 days.

Special Instructions For Mass Tomato Plantings:

After about a month you will notice the first “true” and identifiable tomato leaves begin to appear.
For those who grow their tomato seeds in one large pot or container, instead of following the instructions above, once these “true” leaves appear, it is time to transplant your seedlings to bigger containers. This is known as “picking out” your seedlings.
When transplanting tomato seedlings that are growing in close proximity, it is important to only handle them by the leaves. Pinching the stems causes damage to the plant – and while tomatoes generally recover, it does slow their growth down.
Hold the tomatoes by their leaves and gently tease the roots apart. Only plant one plant per new container.
If you planted just one tomato per container you can skip this time consuming, tedious step.

How To Transplant Tomato Seedlings

Once your tomato plants have their “true” leaves and begin outgrowing the pot they are in, transplant individual seedlings into containers that are at least 3 to 4 inches in diameter filled with moistened potting mix. For those who used peat pots to start their tomato seeds, move on up to the next size peat pot or use gallon sized plastic pots which are available at many nurseries.
When transplanting tomatoes, I place the bottom of the soil on the bottom of the new container and fill the pot up with soil making sure to leave at least two tomato leaves sticking up above the soil in the new container. The reason I do this is tomato plants send new roots out from their stems if the stems are buried under ground. This makes the plant sturdier.
Gently water in the seedling after planting – and again I suggest watering from the bottom.
When spring weather reaches and holds 55-degree temperatures at nights, move your plants out into the sun for a few hours at a time to harden them off.
Gradually increase sunlight exposure daily over a week, until they can sit outside all day.
Before transplanting your seedlings, be sure to check the pH level of your soil to ensure it is not too acidic or alkaline. You want your soil pH to be between 6.0 to 6.8 for tomatoes. Home soil testing kits can be purchased at gardening and home improvement stores, and many major cities offer laboratory testing.
When you are ready to transplant your plants, remove the bottom branches and plant up to just below the bottom leaves to ensure healthy growth and a strong root system. Again you are burying as much of the stem as possible. I typically use a shovel to dig the holes for my tomato plants. I double dig which means I dig one hole that is the depth of the blade of my shovel, then I go back into that hole and dig further down until the hole is the depth of two of my shovel blades. Smaller tomatoes do not need holes this large, but I typically end up with some pretty large tomatoes by the time it is safe to plant them outdoors here.
Once your tomato plants are in the ground, add support in the form of cages or stakes and water gently – this time at ground level. Avoid splashing dirt and water onto the tomato plants.

How To Care For Tomato Plants In The Garden

To help prevent weeds around your tomato plants, hold moisture in the soil and encourage the tomatoes to ripen faster, you can lay a red plastic garden mulch around the tomato plants once they are in the ground.

Depending on the size of the plant I am transplanting, I either lay the mulch before I plant and cut out the hole area where I am digging – or ideally I simply cut an “X” in the plastic and gently pull the tomato plant through the plastic, then put the tomato cage into the ground through the plastic to help hold it in place!

As your tomato plants grow, simply water soil when dry, add some nutrients such as compost or organic fertilizer and enjoy your harvest!

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

How To Grow Tomatoes

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson 2 Comments

Growing great tomatoes is easy as long as you know how to grow tomatoes.

The articles below are intended to help you stop worrying about success and enjoy the experience of growing fresh tomatoes in a container or in your own backyard.

After all, many gardeners want to grow the biggest and healthiest tomato crop on the block!

I have also included links to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Before I share links to some the most popular articles on growing tomatoes on the site, I wanted to share these six basic tips for getting started growing tomatoes.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants grown in home gardens. Did you know there are more than 7,500 different varieties of tomatoes – and that number keeps increasing. Amazing, isn’t it?

If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at growing this tasty fruit – yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit – or if you haven’t had much success growing them, this information is for you.

Here are six quick tips to help you grow the best tomatoes you’ve ever grown!

Warm the Soil

This is an awesome tip that many people don’t know about.

Approximately two weeks before you plant your seeds or seedlings in the ground, preheat the dirt in your garden.

Cover the area with a large trap, plastic bag or plastic mulch. Red or black works best.

I personally use red plastic mulch on the ground under my tomato plants.

The reason for doing this is it increases the heat in the soil and guess what?

Tomato plants thrive in the heat.

Another advantage is it keeps the weeds down and the red mulch reflects the right color of light back up towards the tomatoes which helps them ripen a little faster.

Get the Gardening Basics eCourse FREE when you sign up for the Exotic Gardening Newsletter!

Anyone who gardens or wants to garden can learn how by signing up for our Gardening Basics eCourse, because it will help you to learn how to grow a better garden, even if you are an experienced gardener.

Train Your Seedlings

If you’re starting the seedlings inside, you can train them to withstand windy weather using one of these three techniques.

Set them in front of a small fan for up to 10 minutes, twice a day.
Another strengthening method is to rub your hand gently, back and forth, across each one for a few minutes.
On warm, calm days sit them outside in a protected place for 30 minutes. Increase the amount of time they are outside each day until they are used to being outside all day in an unprotected area.

Your plants will be ready to withstand a strong breeze in no time at all.

Don’t Overcrowd

Don’t overcrowd your plants. Tomatoes need room to grow.

As a general rule, plant three seeds per container if you are unsure if the seeds you have are viable.

Seeds that are viable have the ability to germinate.

Sometimes older seeds do not have a high germination rate, however many factors such as the type of seed, how they were stored, etc. play into this.

Transfer the seedlings to the garden or in individual four-inch pots, as soon as each plant begins to get its own leaves.

I prefer to wait until the plant is large enough to easily see.

The more roots the tomato plant has the better it seems to adapt to being grown outside in my experience.

Bury Plants Deeper

Bury plants deeper in the garden than they were in the pot.

This allows them to develop roots along more of the stem and produces a much stronger plant.

Stronger plants are better able to withstand strong winds, heavy rain and other less than ideal weather conditions.

Let There Be Light

Tomato plants love sunlight. The more direct, the better.

If you choose to grow tomatoes indoors, you’ll generally need to purchase an artificial LED grow light to shine on the plants 12 to 14 hours a day especially during fruiting.

Pinch Off Suckers

Pinch and discard any small “suckers” that you find growing in the joint of connecting branches. Leaving them alone just saps energy from the plant.

As the tomato plant grows, remove any leaves that start to turn yellow.

For best results, water tomato plants on a regular basis.

Now that you’re privy to some of the secrets of growing delicious tomatoes, there’s nothing holding you back.

Whether you grow them outside in a traditional garden, or inside with or without using a hydroponic system, there’s no better time to get started.

You may not grow the world’s biggest tomato, but, you’ll be well on your way to growing yummy tomatoes in your own home or backyard.

And now on to other articles on the site that discuss growing tomatoes!

Starting From Seed

Tomato Seed Starting Tips – These tomato seed starting tips are sure to have you successfully raising tomatoes from seed. Growing from seed lets you to grow unique, heirloom varieties.

Choosing The Right Tomato Variety

Heirloom Tomatoes – Varieties For Every Palate, But Where Do You Start? – Do you want to grow non gmo tomatoes in your garden? Choose your color and taste preference then grow your own organic heirloom tomato plants.

Growing Tomatoes In Containers

Easy To Grow Tomatoes Ideal For Container Gardens – Ever wonder how to grow tomatoes in pots outside? Start with these easy to grow tomatoes that perform well when grown in containers indoors or out!

Tips For A Bigger, Better Harvest

Grow More Tomatoes With These 8 Organic Gardening Tips – Learn how to grow organic tomatoes with these 8 tips. Then grow more tomatoes that are healthy and delicious right in your own backyard!

Tips For Growing An Abundance Of Heirloom Tomatoes – Non gmo tomatoes started from seed at home are the choice for many gardeners. Learn tips for growing great tomatoes in your own garden.

Tips For Dealing With Tomato Problems

How To Combat Blossom End Rot – Wondering what to do about tomatoes with brown spots on the bottom of them? Learn how to combat blossom end rot, a common problem many gardeners encounter.

Control Tomato Pests With These Organic Gardening Tips – These organic gardening tips for controlling pests on tomato plants help you identify, control and get rid of the problem without the use of organic pesticides in most cases.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Tips For Starting A Container Garden

Use the buttons on the right hand side of the screen to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

Heirloom Tomatoes – Varieties For Every Palate, But Where Do You Start?

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written John Fendley of the Sustainable Seed Company. I only recommend products and companies I personally like.

There are hundreds of varieties of organic heirloom tomato plants. Each variety of tomato is as deliciously unique in their flavor as the people who saved the seeds from them over the years. Varieties range from black tomatoes with a sweet and smoky flavor and cherry tomatoes with a tart tang to giant beefsteak tomatoes that drip with juice as you bite into a summer BLT.

You will find information below on various types of heirloom tomatoes as well as product recommendations from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Hungry for summer yet? I know I am, and it is compounded by looking online at all the heirloom tomato seeds! Each seed carries the promise of a flavor explosion in my mouth as I stroll through the garden, with the thought of tasting all those summer time tomato treats.

But where do you start? Since these are edibles, flavor seems like a good place to start.
But you should also consider space requirements.
How much room do you have?
Will you want to plant determinate (short non-sprawling) varieties because you only have patio space for pots?
Or do you have lots of room to plant giant beefsteak tomatoes that sprawl for miles?
Next, consider how you plan to use and enjoy your tomatoes?
Will you can them?

Preservation Tomatoes

If so you want can varieties that have dry flesh making it easier to cook them down like Chico III. Chico is prolific, producing tons of fruit all at the same time. It makes a great all-around sauce, but if you are looking for a little more flavor from a canner, try black plum. It makes a sweet and smoky sauce that is sure to have your dinner guests raving!

Tomatoes That Taste Great Fresh

Maybe, you are not a canner and want to eat your heirloom tomatoes fresh. Try cherry tomatoes varieties for salads. Perfect for those of us that don’t like cutting things up, just pop them right in the salads. Coyote is perfect for this and you will love the flavor. That is if you even have any left from the trip back to the kitchen. Yes, they are that good!

What about the beefsteaks we talked about? These are big, fat tomatoes, so good that the juice literally drips down your face when you take a bite out of them. Everyone loves them, but they need lots of space to grow and plenty of staking, which prevents their heavy, fruit-laden vines from falling over.

Colored Tomatoes

Then there are colors! Heirloom tomatoes literally come in every color of the rainbow, and this is the reason great chefs around the world love them so. It is like painting with a palette of rainbow colors. There are reds of course, but also purples, yellows, oranges, blacks, green, red / yellow striped and even white tomatoes.

Start growing your own delicious rainbow of heirloom tomatoes today from Sustainable Seed Co. We have 300 varieties of delectable heirloom tomatoes sure to fit everyone’s palate.

Be sure to check out Sustainable Seed on Pinterest.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

Tips For Growing An Abundance Of Heirloom Tomatoes

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by John Fendley of the Sustainable Seed Company. I only recommend products and companies I personally like.

Growing great tomatoes is easy if you know the tricks and secrets.

Growing great heirloom tomatoes is also quite easy.

You will find a variety of tips and tricks for successfullly growing tomatoes below as well as product recommendations from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Use these easy tips to grow enough tomatoes for meals, canning and seed saving for replanting the following year.

People often associate the color and shape of fruits and vegetables found in the grocery store as the standard for produce, however these uniform varieties generally lack flavor and nutrition.

Heirloom tomato seeds provide gardeners with the ability to grow their own delicious, nutritious vegetable and be able to save seeds from year to year.

Unlike hybrids, heirloom tomatoes breed true, which means the next generation will have equal quality of the first, including excellent flavor.

As spring approaches, order and start heirloom tomato seeds with these tips today!

Start seeds indoors approximately 6-8 weeks before your area’s last frost date. These can be started in individual pots or a large tray filled with a combination of potting soil, vermiculite and peat moss. Place in a warm area, above 55 degrees.
Once the seeds have sprouted, the seedlings will require abundant light either through grow-lights or natural daylight. Plants with an inadequate light source become spindly and weak. If daytime temperatures are warm enough they can be placed outside during the day, however be cautious about setting them in direct sun if they have not received adequate light. Gradually adjust the amount of light they receive and protect seedlings from wind.
After all threat of frost is past and temperatures remain warmer than 55, the seedlings can be planted in the garden. Soil ph of 5.8 to 7 is ideal for heirloom tomatoes. Every gardener has their own tips, but we plant our seedlings up to the base of the first row of leaves and mix compost with the soil around the roots. Mulching and placing cans around the base of the plants may help protect them from drying winds and garden pests.
Water at least one inch per week on a regular schedule, preferably mornings. This helps protect heirloom tomatoes from cracking, rotting and developing leaf roll. Adjust as necessary for the local conditions. Dry farmed tomato varieties are an excellent choice for gardeners in desert areas.
Continue adding organic mulch to heirloom tomato plants to protect the tomatoes from lying and rotting on the ground. Many gardeners prefer using tomato cages to keep the fruit off of the ground.
For best garden results, add compost and mulch throughout the growing season and rotate crops annually. Learn more about which plants provide nutrients to the soil and work best as companion plants for heavy feeders.
Heirloom tomato seeds are available in many varieties that work well in every climate zone. It is estimated that more than 80% of tomato varieties that existed in the early 1900’s have been lost. By planting extra plants and saving seeds for the following year, gardeners are able to ensure existing varieties will remain available for future generations.

Gardeners will enjoy an abundant harvest from heirloom tomato seeds that can be shared with friends, canned or frozen for use throughout the other season. Nutrition, flavor, color and the ability to provide a sustainable garden are popular reasons for learning how to plant heirloom tomato seeds.

Be sure to check out Sustainable Seed on Pinterest.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

Easy To Grow Tomatoes Ideal For Container Gardens

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

For those with limited gardening space – or who do not wish to grow their plants in the ground – using buckets, pots and containers to grow tomatoes in is a great alternative. Containers offer an ideal and creative way to grow fresh tomatoes year-round no matter where you live.

Below I recommend three easy to grow tomatoes that are ideal for container gardening as well as links to products I recommend that I have an affiliate relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Container Gardening Advantages

Container gardening offers many advantages.

For starters, growing a few plants in containers is a lot less intimidating to beginning gardeners than trying to plan and care for a large vegetable garden. Obviously, it is a lot easier to care for and maintain a small container garden than a large outdoor area.

Growing in containers makes the plants more portable thus it is easier to move your tomato plants around so they get the recommended 10+ hours of sunlight each day. With just a little bit of planning and minimal effort, container gardening makes it easy to enjoy delicious fresh tomatoes throughout the growing season.

For those who wish to keep their tomato plants alive indoors, growing them in containers makes it easy to get a head start on the growing season or bring the plants indoors before the first frost. It is possible to grow tomato plants indoors under grow lights and get them to produce tomatoes all winter long.

However, not all tomato varieties are perfect for container gardens. That is not to say it is impossible to grow any variety of tomato in a container. I have certainly grown non-container friendly varieties in 5 gallon buckets, however they did sprawl everywhere even with tomato cages – and moving them was out of the question.

If you want to ensure great tasting tomatoes – and the biggest possible yield for your small space – be sure to check out the three tomato varieties listed below.

Japanese Black Trifele

Although the Japanese Black Trifele is considered a great container tomato, be advised that it can be found in both indeterminate and determinate varieties. Before buying a particular plant, you want to make sure the ones you are considering are the more compact variety.

Determinate varieties are also called bush tomatoes and are more compact in their growth. Most bush type tomatoes are four feet or under when they reach their mature height.

Indeterminate varieties are also called vining tomatoes. These range in height from six to ten feet.

The pear-shaped fruits of the Japanese Black Trifele will develop a deep mahogany color as a sign that it is ripe. This beautiful fruit is as visually appealing as it is delicious, so this variety performs double duty as an ornamental.

As far as flavor goes, expect a sweet and smoky, multi-layered taste. For hands-off tomato growing this is a favorite variety thanks to its hardy nature and stunning good looks. It is also my favorite variety of tomato.

Sungold

The highly popular Sungold cherry tomato is found just about everywhere and since they are not overly sprawling plants, they are perfect for container gardens.

Sungold tomatoes have a tropical, fruity flavor that is out-of-this-world delicious when they are eaten warm just after being picked off the vine.

This plant is known to be very strong and requires very little care making it ideal for beginning gardeners.

A single Sungold plant can keep your entire family in cherry tomatoes all summer long.

Be sure to start one or two extra tomato plants from seed about three weeks after your first plant starts to grow so you are sure to have plenty of cherry tomatoes all season long.

Brandywine

The charming Brandywine variety has earned the title of “my favorite tomato” by gardeners everywhere thanks to its delicious flavor. In fact, it consistently wins first place in tomato taste tests in the United States and abroad.

The highly versatile Brandywine tomato is perfect for container growth but choose a spot in your garden for the container that gets the 10+ hours of sunlight so you don’t have to move the pot around.

This particular variety can grow rather large, but a couple of sturdy stakes accompanied by consistent and regular pruning keeps it in line. Alternately, you may prefer to place your container along your balcony or deck railing to help support its growth.

Products from Amazon.com

Heirloom Organic Container Tomatoes"Tasmanian Chocolate"

Price: $3.79
Tomato All-in-One Growing Kit, Non GMO Heirloom Tomato Seeds (Homestead)

Price: $7.95
-42%

Grow 4 Types of Tomatoes from Seed - Indoor Germination Kit with 4 Packets of Non-GMO Organic Seeds - Sweet Red Tomato, Cherry Tomatoes, Yellow Pear Tomato, Green Zebra Tomato, Soil, Pots & Guide.

Price: $14.99

Was: $25.99
-11%

Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Red Heirloom Cherry Tomato Seed Pod Kit (7-Pods)

Price: $15.97

Was: $17.95

Final Thoughts:

So now you know about three great varieties of easy to grow tomatoes that are perfect for container gardens.

Of course, this list is far from comprehensive.

With thousands of tomato varieties to choose from, you are sure to find many other great options for your container garden.

A couple more examples of easy to grow tomatoes that perform well in container gardens include the Wapsipinicon Peach Tomato with its delicious and fuzzy fruit or the intriguing Black Krim heirloom variety which yields large purple and red fruits.

These varieties, along with the three described above, are sure to be welcome and productive additions to your container garden this season.

I highly recommend the following articles:

Use the buttons in the upper right hand corner to share this article with friends or family who might find it useful. Pin the picture below to your pinboard on Pinterest for future reference.

Grow More Tomatoes With These 8 Organic Gardening Tips

There are links in the article below to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

by Sheri Ann Richerson Leave a Comment

Grow more tomatoes that are the healthiest and most delicious you ever tasted this gardening season! It’s easy to grow tomatoes organically and get a bumper crop.

To key is to follow the easy-to-implement tricks and tips below. Once you find out how well they work, you will use them year after year to consistently grow bumper crops of succulent tomatoes.

By implementing the organic gardening tips outlined below your tomato plants will deliver the biggest and healthiest yield possible.

I have also included links to products I recommend from companies I have a referral relationship with. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Whether growing in containers or in the ground, make sure you select a bright, well ventilated, airy location for your tomatoes. Your plants should receive at least 10 hours of natural light in the summer. Also, make sure you have enough room between your tomato plants to provide for adequate air circulation. Burpee recommends to space tomato plants 30 to 48 inches apart in a row.
Make sure you plant your tomato plants deep for the best possible results, I recommend starting to plant them deeper when you start to transplant the seedlings. Burying the stem of a tomato allows the plant to sprout new roots which helps improve strength and vitality. This also provides better absorption of the nutrients your tomato plants need to grow faster and healthier. To do this, remove the bottom sets of leaves and bury the stem up to just below the bottom of the remaining leaves.
Another option is to plant your tomatoes horizontally in a long trench with just the top leafy part exposed. The plant will correct itself and start growing upward instead of along the ground. Doing this helps your plants establish the strongest root structure possible, because all those little fibers along the plant stem are little roots waiting to develop.
Testing your soil is important for proper tomato growth. Whether you take a sample of your soil to a nearby gardening or home improvement center that offers lab testing, or you purchase a DIY pH level testing kit, this step is crucial. After you discern your ground’s alkaline and acidity levels, you can add the appropriate soil amendments to reach the recommended 6.0 to 6.8 pH for tomatoes. Most garden centers can tell you just what you need to do to get your soil perfect. Another place to turn to for help is your local extension office.
Trick your tomatoes into being stronger by plucking the first flowers that appear. This allows your tomato plants to grow more extensive root systems, as well as a mature and developed leaf canopy, before any fruit is produced. Remove any suckers as well. Suckers are the little offshoots of the main stem below your first fruit-producing branch.
Use cages or fencing to grow your tomatoes vertically. When you allow tomato vines to lay on the ground, your plants are susceptible to pests and diseases. Sprawling vines takes up valuable space in your garden, never mind the backbreaking process of bending over to harvest the fruit is no fun. When you provide vertical support, pests and disease have a harder time attacking your plants plus it is easier to pick the fruit and you save space in your garden.
When the first fruit of the season begins to appear, add three inches of organic compost, either your own or store bought. This will encourage new, healthy growth and a bigger yield. Scratch compost into the ground around the stem, and at the same time, trim a few of the upper leaves on each plant.
Whether you decide to plant determinate or indeterminate varieties, consider planting new tomatoes three weeks after your original plants are in the ground or container and growing. This will extend your harvest season and guarantees that if you run into any weather or pest problems, you still enjoy multiple, healthy tomato harvests. This means you won’t need to harvest and use your entire crop at once which is great for those who prefer to eat their tomatoes fresh.