Growing tomatoes can be a fun and rewarding activity. As seedlings are planted in the spring, gardeners are often already dreaming of those plump, juicy tomatoes fresh from the garden all summer long.
Safer® Brand provides the know-how and great tips for growing delicious tomatoes. Growing tomatoes organically with these instructions and tips means your family can enjoy them without worry in sandwiches, sauces and all kinds of great recipes! Happy growing!
Choose a location with good air circulation and water drainage and at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid excessively windy areas and areas that are exposed to chemicals used on lawns.
When to Plant
Plant seedlings after the danger of spring frost has passed in the area you live. If you are unsure of when to plant, ask a local nursery professional.
Caring for the Soil
Soil testing is strongly recommended for tomatoes. You can buy a soil test kit online or at your local garden retailer. The ideal pH range for tomatoes is 6.2 to 6.8. Fertilize and lime as directed by the soil test results. Alternatively, you can also add I inch of compost then apply to 5-10-10 fertilizer in areas where potash levels are low and 5-10-5 fertilizer in areas where potash levels are high.
Plant only well-grown, disease-free plants. A good transplant is slightly hardened, 6 to 9 inches tall and has a sturdy stem with leaves that are medium to dark green. The root system should be well developed. (when starting from seeds inside, seeds will be ready for transplant in about 6-8 weeks)
Plant the seedling into moist soil on a cool cloudy day and then shade the plant for a day or two to prevent wilting.
Staking tomatoes is highly recommended at the time of planting. If you are staking tomatoes after they have already started to grow, take extra care to keep root breakage to a minimum.
Stake It Easy™is the perfect staking solutions with Gardener’s Blue Ribbon™ Sturdy Stakes and connectors that are adjustable so you can move them as the plant grows. Stake It Easy™ also comes with Step In Stake Anchors that will add extra support when your tomato plant is tall and full of tomatoes.
content courtesy of Penn State College of Agricultural Science & Master Gardener Prgraom. For a complete list of content sources please visit our site bibliography page
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