By Ronnie Dauber, Garden Guides Contributor
About this Plant
This annual vegetable produces an abundance of delicious red, juicy
tomatoes from early summer to late fall, depending on the variety.
The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked and used in main dishes or
sauces.
Site Preparation
Tomatoes grow best in full sunlight, in a location where they are
open to free air circulation. The soil needs to be well-drained and
should be cultivated with plenty of compost and well rotted
manure.
Special Features
Tomatoes are categorized and eaten as vegetables, and yet bear the
texture of a flesh fruit. They come in a kaleidoscope of sizes,
from
1/2 inch in diameter to the size of a large fist.
They can be round, oval or flat, and can serve as the attractive
garnish to a meal or the main dish itself.
Choosing a Variety
There are many varieties of tomatoes ranging from small to large,
stake to cluster, and tiny cherries-on-a-bush to huge
dinner-for-two-on-a-staked-plant. Some varieties include:
* Cluster tomatoes (hybrid) are borne in clusters of 6 to 8, and
bear a smooth, firm dark glossy red skin. They are picked in
clusters and retain their fresh taste even after picked.
* Beefsteak tomatoes are the hardier of the tomatoes and are
available in many different varieties, with delicious fruit that
can exceed 12 oz. in size. These are ideal for slicing and putting
on hamburgers.
* Cherry tomatoes can be grown in the garden or in patio planters
and come in many varieties and harvesting times.
Planting
Tomato seeds can be started indoors about 6 to 8 weeks prior to the
last spring frost. Place 2 to 3 seeds in every 1-inch cell and then
thin out to 1 per cell once they sprout. Cover the seeds with
¼ inch of soil and keep them where the temperature
will remain a constant 70 to 80 degrees F and where there is
continual light. When the plants have 2 or 3 sets of leaves,
transplant them into larger pots (2 or 3 inch squared). Fertilize
with a water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks starting at half
strength and increasing to full strength over the next 6 weeks.
Transplant outdoors only after all danger of the last frost is
passed, as they are very susceptible to frost damage. Space the
plants 24 to 36 inches apart with rows at least 36 to 48 inches
apart.
Care
Tomatoes require regular feeding during the growing season with
compost tea or a well-balanced fertilizer. They require even
moisture during the fruit set and development. Avoid excess
watering as it can increase the fruit size but will decrease the
fruit flavor.
Harvest and Storage
Pick the fruit when they are firm and starting to turn red. If they
are left on the vine to ripen, they should be used immediately as
overripe tomatoes rot very quickly. The fruit can be eaten fresh,
preserved whole in mason jars, or made into sauce or juice and
preserved.
