Tomatoes are a popular and delicious vegetable grown in many parts of the world. They are a warm-season crop, so they need plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures to thrive. Tomatoes can be grown from seed or from transplants.
If you are starting from seed, it is best to start them indoors about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Once the seedlings have developed two sets of true leaves, you can transplant them outdoors.
Tomatoes need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Be sure to water the soil deeply, rather than just wetting the surface. Tomatoes also need to be fertilized regularly. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer, can be applied every two weeks during the growing season.
To support the growth of your tomato plants, you may need to stake or trellis them. This will help to keep the plants upright and prevent them from collapsing under the weight of the fruit.
Tomatoes are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Some common pests include tomato worms, aphids, and whiteflies. Common diseases include blight, blossom end rot, and leaf spot. To prevent pests and diseases, it is important to inspect your plants and treat as needed.
Determinate tomatoes are a type of tomato plant that grows to a predetermined size. They are typically bushy and compact, and they produce fruit all at once. Pruning determinate tomatoes is recommended but should not be as heavy as pruning indeterminate tomato plants. If you are not comfortable pruning your determinate tomato plants, you can…
When planting tomatoes, the main goal is to receive the maximum yields possible. You may want to remove the unnecessary suckers and leaves in order for the plant to maximize the use of nutrients for the production of fruits. Selectively removing unwanted plant growth from indeterminate tomatoes can help to improve production and the taste…
Tomato plants depend on the sun for energy and the production of carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. The term photosynthesis is derived from two words i.e. photo, which means light, and synthesis for the production of carbohydrates. So, do tomato plants need direct sunlight? For healthy growth and blooming, tomato plants require at least…
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male part of the flower called the stamen to the female part known as the pistil. Flowers can be male, female, or complete. A tomato plant has a complete flower. This means that it has both male and female parts within the same flower. Like any…
Walking through the tomato garden for routine management and you notice funny-looking and abnormal cavities pitted with scar tissues at the blossom end of tomatoes? Your tomatoes may be affected by a catfacing deformity. Let’s look at identification, causes, and how to treat tomato catfacing. Temperatures of below 60 °F (16 °C) for several consecutive…
Are your tomato plants’ leaves turning brown and curling? As a gardener, it can be quite frustrating to realize things are not going well in your garden as anticipated. Let’s look at what causes this problem and how to fix it. Brown and curling leaves in tomatoes can result from too little or excessive water,…
Roma tomatoes also known as plum tomatoes are short plants that produce small red fruits that are oblong in shape. The fruits are meaty inside with fewer seeds which makes them ideal for making sauces, paste, and canning. So, are Roma tomatoes determinate or indeterminate? Roma tomatoes are typically determinate tomatoes. They are bushy, short…
Are your tomato plants blossoming but failing to set fruits? This can be a frustrating experience, especially after putting in more effort. Many gardeners are experiencing this problem without having knowledge of the causes and what to do. So, why are tomato flowers not setting fruits? There are various circumstances under which a tomato plant…
It can be extremely frustrating to see your tomato flowers falling off especially when everything seems to be alright in your garden. This can ultimately result in low yields and financial losses. I have highlighted several reasons why tomato flowers are falling off the vine and how to fix the problem. Tomato blossom drop can…
Tomatoes are easy plants to grow and maintain. However, it can be challenging for first-time gardeners. Everything may seem to be okay then you realize tomatoes dropping off the vine before they are ripe. It is discouraging especially if you don’t know what is happening to your plants. So, why are tomatoes dropping off the…