As fascinated as one might get at the thought of growing tomatoes, it is not all that easy. In fact many people who wish to, and even set out to, grow tomatoes and maintain their very own kitchen gardens soon quit this wonderful hobby because of failures that they happen to meet early. It sure isn’t simple to grow tomatoes, but with a little patience and perseverance one can make it an enjoyable experience.
When it comes to growing tomatoes, growing them from seeds directly can be a very complicated affair. A person who sets out to growing tomatoes directly from the seed must make sure he has had a considerable number of years of experience with the fruit-vegetable because tomatoes plants tend to get very demanding when germination takes place. This may sometimes be very discouraging for beginners who start off with great enthusiasm and with expectations of fast results. A lot of expertise is required when it comes to the seeds which can be gained only over a sizable period of time. So for a first-timer it is always better to begin with getting a tomato sapling from a nursery nearby. There are many different varieties of tomatoes one may come across when shopping in a nursery. But for a beginner, it is advisable to buy any one among the many varieties of grape or cherry tomatoes. These varieties are easier to tend to and so more friendly to its caretaker. Also one must ensure that a variety of tomatoes are grown to ensure a sound yield.
While choosing a place to place the growing tomatoes, one must choose a warm and bright place which open to the sun for six to seven hours a day. Plants that receive adequate sunlight bear tastier tomatoes. Though in places where the weather tends to get very hot, arrangements for keeping a tiny shade for the plant during the afternoons should be made. While transplanting, the roots of the transplant should be kept unhurt as if they are damaged, they may not mature at all. The growing tomato plants should be spaced well enough to give room for better growth. For about little over a week, the transplants should be watered about 500ml of water a day. Steps should also be taken to keep the soil around the plant mulched with leaves, peat, straw etc to stop weed growth and to ensure that moisture in soil is retained. Growing tomatoes love warmth and grow better when the soil is warm. Once the plants start to exhibit signs of considerable growth, the watering should be increased accordingly little by little. During summers, when the weather is really dry, plants should be watered more often than usual. The plants should ideally be watered in the morning to avoid the development of any sort of disease. Watering the plant from above should be avoided as the chances of fungal growth on the plant increase. They should be watered right at the lower stem thus ensuring the leaves are not left moist.
As the plants start to get bigger, the need to use fertilizers increases. When using chemical fertilizers it becomes important for a person to choose the right fertilizer. We should remember that our aim is not just to see a healthily growing tomato plant but also to see a juicy tomato on a growing plant. Keeping this in mind, we should avoid buying lawn fertilizers which are meant to enhance plant growth. We should look for buying vegetable fertilizers which enhance the produce of the plant. Also, excessive use of fertilizers must be avoided as this may cause the growing tomato plant to grow faster making it more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Use of organic fertilizers is often recommended by agriculturists as they do not infect the fruit of the plant which may sometimes pose as threats to human beings. Organic fertilizers come with a lot of advantages. They are easily procurable, cost less and affect the plant in no adverse way as opposed to chemical fertilizers.
The tomato fruit usually begins to emerge in about ½ to 2 months from the day the transplant is done. The fruit initially looks green in which changes colour with time as it grows ripe. When deciding the right time for the fruit to be picked, a number of factors like size, texture, color, softness of the fruit etc are taken into account. Care should be taken while checking the softness of the tomatoes so as to not damage it. They should be handled gently and with minimal pressure. They should be held only with the palm and not the fingertips. The fruit should not be allowed to over-ripen as well. An over ripe tomato would get all soft and soggy. One can also pick a good sized not fully ripe tomato and let it be exposed safely to the sun to ripen it. Though there is no denying the fact that tomatoes that ripen while with the plant taste better. While plucking a tomato for consumption, one should ensure that no part other than the fruit of the plant is being consumed as many variants of tomatoes are known to be poisonous.
Along with growing tomatoes one can also grow other companion plants. Companion plants are plants which enhance the growth and taste of the main plant. With regards to tomato plants, Basil and carrot plants when planted near tomatoes give them a better taste. They also help increases yield and in helping the plant to protect itself from pests.
Pruning your growing tomato plant is very necessary as otherwise it increases the chances of a very unhealthy disease prone plant. Often when tomato plants grow, tiny outgrowths start to develop from joints that separate the main plant body and an already developed branch. They deter fruit maturity and consume a lot of energy unnecessarily. These are thus pruned to ensure better yield and decreases chances of disease.
Growing tomatoes is not at all easy. But when one gets to see those ripe, juicy, red fruits of hard labor hanging down waiting to be plucked, it give a sense of satisfaction like no other.
