Growing Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to growing tomatoes? ›

More Sun Equals More Fruit

It's important to choose the sunniest spot in your garden for your tomatoes. They soak up sunshine just like water. Aim for plants to get seven hours of sun a day. Give your plants room to grow, too.

Devote a prime, sunny spot to growing tomatoes. Tomatoes need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun to bring out their best flavors. You will need to stake, trellis, or cage most tomato plants to keep them off the ground. Decide on a support plan before you set out your plants, then add that support directly after planting.

Tomatoes are warm-season plants that do not tolerate frost or chilly temperatures. We normally recommend planting early to mid-May when the danger of frost has past and soil has had a chance to warm. Be sure to save the sunniest spots for your tomatoes, this will give you optimum fruit production.

Most of us have heard that eggshells can help increase the calcium in our garden soil, and some of us may have even tried it in our own yards. The goal is to help prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes and other plants affected by calcium deficiency. As it turns out, using eggshells really doesn't fix anything.

What's most important is how the plant looks in the evening, after sunset. However, don't water until the next morning. If you water at night, the already wetter conditions and low temperatures can promote disease.

It is important to remember that tomatoes are warm weather plants and will not grow in temperatures below 50°F (10°C). The soil should also be warm enough – ideally 60°F (16°C). In general, 'if you're growing tomatoes from seeds you can sow indoors any time from March to the end of May.

You could also add some crushed eggshells, Epsom salts, or worm castings, if you like. Mix any amendments into the soil in the bottom of the holes so the roots won't sit directly on fertilizer. If your tomatoes are very tall and leggy, you might try trench planting them horizontally.

Avoid Excessive Application: Remember to use coffee grounds in moderation. While they can be beneficial for tomato plants, applying too much at once can lead to issues with soil pH and nutrient imbalances. A thin layer of coffee grounds spread around the base of the plant is typically sufficient.

The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.

What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? ›

Look for a fertilizer that has a high middle number, which represents phosphorus, in the N-P-K analysis. Commonly available fertilizer analysis that are great for tomato seedlings include 8-32-16 and 12-24-12. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package directions.

We put in a half cup of bone meal. This is a nice organic phosphorus source, which is essential for blossom production. More blossoms, more fruit. Bone meal also increases calcium availability for the tomato.