Here are your 10 top tips on how to plant tomatoes.
1. It's entirely in the ground work as they say, a good hint is to turn your soil over throughout January and February. You will be amazed at how many pest eggs have been hidden in the ground over the winter and if you expose them to the frosts with any luck you will have fewer pests throughout the year.
2. Groundwork of your earth is essential. You can push the boat out and test your soil for PH and add chemicals or supplements appropriately or you can add some really rotten compost which usually is just as successful at balancing the soil out
3. Mulching your dirt is the best way of reducing the weeds around your plants in addition to adding nutrients, keeping the soil warm and retaining moisture
4. If you are growing tomatoes from seed it is a great idea to choose a selection so you have late and an early crop. You can also have cherry and plum ones These are perfect for making sauces which will give you a magnificent crop which will see you throughout the season
5. Seedlings require sunlight and warmth to mature into healthy plants. Leggy seedlings can be planted deeply when planted up as this will enable them to produce stronger stems
6. When growing tomato plants do not fertilise your plants either too early or too much as you can set off a build up of chemicals in the plants leading to problems with leaves and fruit creation. Simply start to add fertiliser after the plant starts to blossom and then only one a week
7. Diseases can certainly affect your vegetation if they are kept too humid or become infested. "Know the enemy and be prepared". Companion planting will prevent some pests and is environmentally friendly
8. Supporting your tomatoes as they develop is important as tomatoes which are not tend to become damaged leaving fruits trailing on the ground. Using either cages or stakes and strong but gentle ties will prevent damage and make sure a well supported and productive plant
9. Watering accurately is always a crisis, too much can lead to fruiting problems too little can lead to fruiting troubles. Try not to allow the plants to dry out if they are in either pots or grow bags as when you do water them it will just run off
10. When thinking of the best tomato growing tips the most practical is perhaps the storing of your magnificent supply of tomatoes. This is worthwhile as well as cost effective. You can simply make sun dried tomatoes and thick rich sauces which you can freeze and utilize throughout the winter months reminding you of summer and tasting so much better than those bought at your local shop