Tomato Time: Pike Nurseries’ bitesize guide to growing tomatoes

Atlanta GA

16 April, 2021

1:23 PM

Description

Nothing compares to the taste of a juicy tomato right off the vine! The favored garden crop can be planted in late spring in the ground, raised garden beds or container gardens. Tomatoes are versatile fruits in the kitchen with a range of varieties for different uses – slicing for sandwiches, cooking into sauces, popping right into a salad and more. Homegrown tomatoes don’t need to be a labor of love! With proper support and care, every tomato lover can take their growing skills to the next level and produce healthy, fruitful plants. The professionals at Pike Nurseries dish out tips on growing the ultimate tomato. Growth Habit: Tomatoes come in lots of shapes, sizes and colors! Gardeners can choose from two types of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate. Indeterminate varieties are large, vining plants that can be planted in the ground or raised bed with a large stake to support their size. Growers will see fruit at all stages of development on the plant from summer to fall. Indeterminate tomatoes are the most common and include ‘Beefsteak’ and ‘Cherry’ varieties. Determinate tomatoes are more compact and produce one large harvest at a time. Determinate tomatoes grow well in containers since their bushy habit stays relatively small. Paste and cooking tomatoes, such ‘Roma’ and ‘Celebrity,’ are determinate. Sunshine: Tomatoes love sunlight and heat. Start the plant off right by selecting a site that receives at least six to eight hours of sun daily. A sunny spot will ensure bloom and fruit development. Soil: Soil affects the health of a plant. A loose, well-draining soil is one of the most important elements of a successful garden. Be sure to create a fertile, healthy foundation for tomatoes (and all other vegetables) to thrive. Garden & Raised Beds: Amend native soil with a 50/50 blend of Pike Vegetable & Flower Soil at the time of planting to get the plants off on the right foot. Tomatoes like slightly acidic soil, so gardeners can add Pennington Fast Acting lime to adjust pH levels. Garden lime will also free up nutrients in the native soil and make it easier for the plants to absorb. A handful of Dr. Earth Root Zone slow-release organic starter fertilizer will jumpstart root growth for strong, healthy plants.Containers: Fill a large container with drainage holes with Pike Potting Soil. Be sure to use large containers and plant one tomato plant per pot due to the plant’s vigorous root systems! Gardeners can also add Dr. Earth Root Zone to benefit potted tomatoes as well. Support: There are helpful tools to support tomato plants! Because tomato plants grow oh-so-big very quickly, gardeners can give them support by using a stake, trellis or cage. Adding this support around the tomato plant when planting will keep developing fruit off of the ground where it would be more susceptible to pests and disease. Water: As a general rule of green thumb, newly installed tomato plants should be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist. Tomatoes grow long roots, so watering them deeply while the fruit is developing is important. Ensure that tomatoes are getting at least 1-2 inches of water each week (through rainfall or supplemental watering) and slightly more during the height of the summer. Potted plants will need a more frequent watering schedule. Container plants will dry out more quickly than plants in the ground, so gardeners should check on them daily and provide extra water when temperatures heat up. The pros at Pike Nurseries recommend watering early in the morning so that plants have sufficient moisture to make it through the day. Be sure to water at the soil level of a plant – not overhead – to avoid splashing water on the foliage, which can cause disease in the humid summer weather. Establish a watering schedule for tomatoes; irregular watering can lead to rot, cracking and splitting. Feed: Tomatoes are hungry fruits! Regular feeding will keep the plant well-nourished and thriving. Pike Nurseries suggests applying Dr. Earth Homegrown organic vegetable fertilizer every six weeks to provide a constant supply of much-needed nutrients. Pro tip: incorporate the granular fertilizer into the soil about six inches away from the stem to avoid burning the plant. For more information and care tips, visit a local Pike Nurseries location or www.pikenursery.com/garden-guides/tomatoes.