Tomato Growing Tips



Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009

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Do you want to have the best tomatoes in the area? Here are a few tips to get you to that vaunted goal.

First off don't crowd your seedlings. If your going to use seeds and start them in the same container make sure they are spread out. Then as soon as they start developing their first true leaves move them to 4 inch pots. I prefer to start my seedlings indoors in individual containers under fluorescents. Just grab a pack of colored solo cups to do the job.

Secondly at first your seedlings are going to need plenty of direct light. This is why I start them indoors. Just get a 20 watt fluorescents and get it as close as you can without burning the plants (If you can leave your hand under the light without it getting to hot your okay). Put that light on a timer 18 hours on 6 hours off to get your plants started. Also put a small fan on them so they sway in the wind. 10 Minutes a day is enough, this will help them get sturdier.

While your seedlings are developing cover your soil in some red plastic for the earth to heat up beneath. This will help the roots grow quicker getting you earlier harvests in the season. Once their ready to get in the dirt bury them up to the top few leaves, new roots will come off the parts that are in the ground and it will give them a strong base for larger plants.

If it is already warm out mulch then to keep a warm soil but if you are still experiencing cold spurts hold off on mulching so the sun can heat up the soil each day. This is a good trick for peppers also.

After you get your plants growing you need to trim your plants. Remove your bottom leaves as these will be small fruits anyways and then your plant can focus on the tops. This also helps prevents fungus from growing as the early leaves are the ones that usually will have fungus problems.

Lastly remember to water regularly so you plants get used to a cycle. This will let your plant use its energy to grow fruit instead of just trying to survive its environment. I hope these tips will help you with your tomato grow.

For more gardening tips please visit http://www.southfloridagardening.co.cc/wordpress

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Susan Thom
 3 years 14 days ago.
175 fans.
hi fred,
 
i think this was a well written, easy to understand article that could help many of us tomato growers. my partner takes care of the garden, and we had beautiful, delicious jersey tomatoes, but i have to ask him if he trimmed the plants. i think anyone reading this, could grow some tomato plants. thanks for sharing, and i hope you continue writing,
 
welcome to searchwarp,
 
best regards,
 
sue thom
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