How to Grow Tomatoes
Excerpt from Homegrown by Heather Hardison: http://ow.ly/PflBo
There are many varieties of tomatoes, so make sure to select one that’s well suited to your climate, or try growing multiple varieties to extend the harvest. Tomatoes do best when started indoors; I recommend starting them 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area.
To begin, sprinkle seeds over the entire surface of a flat that’s 3 inches (7.5 cm) deep, then cover with ¼ inch (6 mm) of soil. Place the flat in a window that will receive plenty of sun, and keep the soil moist. When the seedlings’ first true leaves appear, transplant the strongest plants into individual cups or pots that have drainage holes. Plant the seedling on its side so more roots grow down from the stem.
When the threat of frost has passed, slowly start hardening off your seedlings. Only plant the strongest seedlings in your garden. When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole and bury them up to their “armpits,” where the lowest leaves meet the stem.
There are two types of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate (this will be indicated on your seed packet). Determinate plants are bush varieties and should be planted 2 feet (61 cm) apart. Indeterminate varieties will grow long vines. You can bury a 6-foot (1.8-m) stake next to the small plant and train it up the stake as it grows, or you can plant them 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 m) apart and let the vines run all over the place.
I find the easiest way to grow the indeterminate variety is to make a round cage with chicken wire around your stake and contain the growth within. Make sure to add mulch to keep in moisture and smother weeds. Regularly harvest the ripe fruits by cutting or gently twisting them off the vine. Tomatoes do well in containers and can easily be planted on sunny patios. Don’t let a small space stop you from enjoying fresh summer tomatoes!
