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The tomato is arguably the most popular homegrown vegetable, and it is easy to understand why. Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow and can be bred indoors and outdoors, regardless of the climate. They are also great additions in the kitchen in salad, stew, and soup dishes, and provide color, flavor, and helpful anti-oxidants. Planting tomatoes should not be a daunting task as this article will reveal.
Select the Right Type of Plant
The right species of tomato plants contribute highly to the yield of good tomato fruit. One has to ensure that they have selected a type of tomato plant that is suitable for their soil type and climatic conditions.
Spacing the Plants
To plant tomatoes correctly, you need to ensure that they get enough room between them. Crowding plants causes them not to branch out well and can also cause them to be diseased later on in their growth. The spacing needs to happen the first time the plants are re-planted from their pots to your soil.
Proper and Early Staking
To stake a plant means to support it using stakes or cages that have been driven firmly into the ground. Staking protects your young plants from destruction by the wind and also helps the plant grow upright. Staking needs to be done very early on in the planting cycle so that you do not harm the tomato stems as they grow.
Your Tomato Plants Need Sufficient Light
You need to provide adequate sunlight for your growing plants. For indoor plants, an artificial grow light placed close to the plant would be highly beneficial to it. This light is adjusted accordingly as the plant grows. Outdoor plants only need to be placed in an area with direct sunlight to thrive.
Prune and Water Your Plants
As a general guideline, one inch of water per week is ideal for your plants, especially when they are producing fruit. However, in hotter seasons, your plants may require more water. Your tomato plants also require pruning of suckers and leaves that may take away the energy and the sunlight from your tomato plant.
If you do decide to plant tomatoes, this simple guide sets the stage for where you can start and the key steps to follow as a beginner in gardening or as an expert looking to plant tomatoes.
