The tomato whose scientific name is Solanum lycopersicum and was formerly known as Lycopersicon esculentum, is one of the most cultivated varieties of fruit around the world, being many species that vary in shape, size, color, and flavor, it is for this reason that many people are wondering how to plant tomatoes, later we will give you some tips to have a successful tomato planting. Learn all about how to plant tomato seeds in this article.
When to Plant Tomato Seeds
Tomato plants are grown all over the world, however, they are not able to withstand extreme temperatures, that is why it should be taken into account when it comes to how to plant tomatoes, that their fruit does not grow well at low temperatures, being below 60.8°F (16 ° C) during the day, deteriorating their growth and the germination rate of the seeds, or at temperatures above 80.6°F (27 ° C), which damage the formation of the fruit. It can be said that this plant grows well at a daytime temperature of between 68°F to 78.8°F (20°C to 26°C) with a temperature variation between day and night. In regions with extreme temperatures, greenhouses are usually needed to grow tomatoes.
One point to keep in mind when it comes to planting tomatoes is that this plant grows best in low humidity conditions. This is because high humidity favors the appearance of diseases and pests.
Another tip on how to plant tomatoes is that this plant grows and is more productive when it has better lighting conditions, having direct sunlight for at least two hours a day.
- Beautiful -- Large full-color packet of Beefsteak Tomato seed; Heirloom variety with a wide shape that can grow to 6” in diameter. Wonderful meaty slicing tomato that may hang over the sides of your toast. Has a classic red-tomato flavor. Indeterminate vines needs support and will produce until the first frost. Minimum of 100mg per packet (approximately 45 seeds).
- Great Variety -- Home-grown heirloom tomatoes have so much more flavor than supermarket hybrid varieties, And heirloom tomatoes come in such a wide range of shapes including cherry, beefsteak, grape, paste, roma, and in many more colors than red, including yellow, purple, black, pink, white or even green.
- Good Eats -- These tomatoes are divine simply sliced and sprinkled with a little salt and pepper. But don’t stop there; mix with fresh mozzarella and basil for a summertime salad or bruschetta, make fresh pico, a tomato tart, smoky and spicy tomato jam, or preserve them (dried or canned) for a shot of garden flavor in deep winter.
Soil for Tomato Plant
The tomato becomes tolerant in terms of the soil where it will be cultivated, only care must be taken that it is not clayey and prone to flooding. Giving better results in terms of how to plant tomatoes, that land with fertile soil, well-drained, rich in organic matter, and a pH between 5.5 and 7.
Currently, it is also known that one of the ways used in terms of how to grow tomatoes is through greenhouses without the use of natural soil. Such as artificial soil, hydroponic and aeroponic systems.
Watering Tomato Plant
A tip on how to plant tomatoes is that watering should be done flush, to keep the soil moist, without creating puddles.
How to Plant Tomato at Home
Tomato seeds can be sown directly in situ or using seedling cups or plastic or paper bags, about 4” (10 cm) high and 3” (7 cm) in diameter. Two to five seeds should be placed in each container, with a maximum depth of 0.4” (1 cm), subsequently leaving one or two plants per container, keeping only the most vigorous plants. Repotting is carried out when the seedlings reach a size of 6” to 10” (15 to 25 cm), generally repotting up to the stem to give the appearance of having longer roots.
The recommended spacing in terms of how to plant tomatoes can vary according to the variety grown and growing conditions. In general, those plants with an undefined habit can be grown 20” to 63” (50 to 160 cm) apart and those crops with a defined habit can be grown 20” to 40” (50 cm to 1 m) apart. Dwarf plants can be planted 12” (30 cm) apart.
There are also methods on how to plant tomatoes at home being generally planted in pots, planters, hanging pots, plastic bags with soil, and other containers, however, the plant to be grown should be chosen according to the size of the container. A wide variety of plants can be grown in large pots, if not all of them, but their size and productivity may be limited. There are even dwarf cultivars that can be grown in relatively small vessels, which in addition to producing fruit, are also ornamental.
How to Care for Tomato Plant
Many tomato varieties have indeterminate growth and need to be grown by staking. This process should be done by tying the plant to a fence, X-shaped rods, or pergolas, every 10 to 15 days. The minimum height for tying is 5 ft (150 cm) (generally this is done at 6.5 ft (2 m). On these plants, flowers and fruit can be seen to appear continuously along the branch, which is why those side shoots can be removed weekly to maintain linear growth until the plant reaches the maximum height of the support.
For those tomato crops with a certain growth, this process is not necessary, nor should the lateral shoots be removed since the new branches are the ones that produce flowers and fruits. These plants are more compact and branched.
The care for crops with intermediate growth characteristics is the same as those used for plants with indefinite growth.
Finally, an important step in planting tomatoes is to remove all invasive plants that compete for resources and nutrients.
Tomato Trellis
Here you can see some pictures of our trellis built in our house.
Tomato Harvesting
The start of the harvest depends on the type of tomato used and the growing conditions. Generally, tomatoes are harvested at 7 to 8 weeks after planting, but there are also crops where this occurs at 10 to 16 weeks (usually large crops).
Fruits should be harvested when fully ripe, as the sugar concentration will be higher if the fruit remains on the plant until fully ripe.
Tomato plants are perennial, which is why if living conditions are suitable they can produce fruit for a few years, although this is far from the reality since in commercial plantations they are only grown for a few months.
