How To Grow Tomatoes

If you have not yet started growing tomatoes in your garden, then you are definitely missing out on a fresh fruit packed with nutrients.

Tomatoes are not only the most popular vegetable for any gardener, they are one of those plants that can come in any dish and give a different flavor. It is eaten in several ways, raw, cooked, in sauces, salads, and even drinks.

Its numerous purposes are one of the reasons you should grow your tomato, don’t fret, we will be here to guide you.

In this article, you will find even the tiniest information about tomatoes, history, description, and when and where to grow them. Now, let’s dive in.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Tomatoes Plant Description
2. What is Tomatoes
3. History of Tomatoes
4. How to Grow Tomatoes
5. Best Tomatoes Seed Varieties
6. Tomatoes FAQ

Tomatoes Plant Description

Common Name: Tomatoes

Scientific Name: Solanum Lycopersicum

Growing Season: Warm season – Late Spring/Early Summer

Transplant or Direct Sow: Both

Sunlight: Full Sun – 6-8 hours per day

Hardiness Zones: Zones 4,5,6,7, or 8

Germination Time: 5-10 days

Water: Daily – 1-2 inches of water a week

Temperature: 58-60 F. (14-16 C.), – Tomatoes require a temperature between 15ºC and 32ºC to survive.

Humidity: 65 – 75% during the night, and 80 – 90% during the day

Soil: Well-draining, loose sandy loam with pH 5.5 and 6.5

Average Days To Harvest: 60-80 days

Fertilizer: Compost, high nitrogen fertilizer

Best Tomato Companion Plants: Basil, chives, asparagus, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, onions, and parsley

Worst Tomato Companion Plants: Broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, rutabaga, cauliflower, and other brassicas.

Common Pests: Aphids, Budworm, Cutworms, Looper caterpillars, Two-spotted mite or red spider mite, Root-knot nematode, Thrips

Diseases: Anthracnose, Black Mold, Botrytis Gray Mold, Early Blight, Fusarium Wilt, Fusarium Crown, and Root Rot

What Is Tomato?

Commonly considered a vegetable due to its culinary purposes, Tomato is one of the most cultivated fruits that is classified as a berry.

Tomato, known botanically as Solanum Lycopersicum, belongs to the nightshade flowering plants known as Solanaceae. It is related to pepper, potato, eggplants, etc.

It is a herbaceous annual plant, usually vine-like short stems, the leaves are curled with bristly stems. When fully developed the tomato is a round fleshy fruit (berry), smooth-skinned, and depending on the variety can be red, pink, purple, brown, orange, or yellow. The tomato plant can grow 0.7–2 m (2.3–6.6 ft) in height

Just like every other annual plant, tomatoes are harvested only after one farming season.

Tomatoes are a rich source of phytochemical lycopene, folate, lutein, and beta-carotene. It is also a good source of fiber and other antioxidants.

History of Tomato

The wild progenitor of tomato, Solanum pimpinellifolium, is native to western South America.
As early as 500 BC, tomatoes were said to have already been domesticated by the people in the Mesoamerica region. It was used in their cooking and also as fruit.

In 1521, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés introduced the tomato to Europe, after he came in contact with the fruit through the people of the Aztecs after he captured their city.

The Italians and Spanish seem to have adopted the tomato into their delicacies before the rest of Europe.

However, France and Northern Europe saw it as poisonous as it was a relative to the deadly nightshade and poisonous belladonna.

As the Spanish colonial territories spread, they introduced the fruit to their colonies in the Caribbeans and Philippines.
In the 1500s, the tomato was introduced to the Asian continent through the Philippines or Macau. The Chinese called it ‘fānqié’.

In Italy, tomatoes were viewed suspiciously and were used as ornaments mostly. It became part of the local cuisine around the late 17th or early 18th century.

Tomato became widely accepted in Britain by the mid-18th century. It was used in soups, broths, and as a garnishment.

The Portuguese explorers introduced tomatoes to the Indians, sometime around the 18th century it was already widely grown for the Britains as their climate was better suited for the plant.

In the 19th century, Tomato was already popular in the Middle East and North Africa, as an ingredient in a cooked dish.

Tomato was first referenced in North America, as early as 1710, when William Salmon reported seeing them somewhere in South Carolina.

Thomas Jefferson was one of the early breeders of tomato, he was said to have eaten some of it in Paris and decided to send some seeds home for growing. He started growing them at Monticello in 1781.

The tomato was used for food in Louisiana as early as 1812, but not in the northeastern states until about 1835.

Much credit for the commercialization of tomatoes can be given to Alexander W. Livingston. He developed multiple varieties of tomatoes for home and commercial gardening.

It did not attain widespread popularity in the United States until the early 20th century. The plant is now grown commercially throughout the world.

How To Grow Tomato

1. Where To Grow Tomato

There are several varieties of tomato plants, but generally, they are all warm-season plants and they thrive well where they get direct sunlight.

Remember, tomatoes love their full sun. When picking a spot for planting, make sure it is in an area with direct sunlight all through the day or at least 7-8 hours of sunlight in a day with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
A side note: Tomatoes sprout fastest at a temperature between 70 and 80.

Tomatoes thrive well in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained and warm. A light sandy soil will yield earlier tomato produce but loamy soils are best for richer yields.

Of course, it should be rich in organic matter as tomatoes are heavy feeders just like other annual plants. Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 6.5.

As a plant that loves heat, growing tomatoes in raised beds is more advantageous. The soil in raised beds is much warmer and also puts the plant up for more exposure to the sun.

To prepare your planting beds, add some aged compost or any other organic planting mix to give your soil some nutrient boost. Then turn the soil to at least 12 inches (30cm) deep before planting.

If you decide to grow your tomatoes in a container, make sure it is a large container with good drainage.

2. How To Grow Tomato

As stated earlier, tomatoes thrive well when they receive enough sunlight and warmth. The ideal temperatures for growing tomatoes are 70°F and 85°F, anything more than that should be protected with a shade covering.

However, before transplanting the seedling or in cases of direct seeding to the ground, the soil and area of the planting should be prepared. A support plan should be put in place either a stake, cage, or trellis to stow the vines from the ground. This discourages pests and diseases

Be sure to give each plant enough space to grow, especially the vine varieties. The long-vined varieties should be placed about 3 feet apart.

As heavy feeders, tomatoes require well-enriched soil. You can enhance your native soil by mixing it with compost or rich organic manures. The plants will require regular fertilization all through the growing season.

Make sure your tomato plants get up to 1-2 inches of water every week, early morning watering is best advised for your plant beds. A soaker hose or drip irrigation will do the trick, particularly at the height of summer.

To maintain soil moisture and curb weed growth, protect the plant area with 2 to 4 inches of mulch.

As your tomato blooms, you need to prune your plants regularly. Start with removing the “sucker” which are small shoots growing from the stems at the base of each leaf, not only do the suckers have to go, but also remove the lower leaves. Regular pruning gives your plant more room for production.

An extra tip: when the first fruit is starting to ripen, add some compost, it stimulates new growth.

Be careful not to overwater or overfeed the plant.

3. How To Plant Tomato

As plants that love heat, tomatoes are commonly planted indoors 5-6 weeks before the last spring frost is past.
To start your seeding indoors, you need a container with good draining holes in the bottom and a potting mix.

Sow your seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in the container which should be placed in a warm room with access to sunlight.

Once your seedlings grow, thin out the weaker ones and transplant them to a bigger pot, this time planting the stems deeper. This method is known as potting up and it makes the root system stronger.

Tomatoes are best planted after all the danger of frosting is past just like Squash. It is best suited when the nighttime temperatures are above 55 F (13 C) degrees.

Now that the soil is warm enough, the seedling can now be transferred to the garden. Dig a deeper and bigger hole this time, enough to bury almost the entire plant. This makes for a sturdier plant that can find water even in drought, as new roots will sprout on the buried stem.

While transplanting, your support system for the plant should be in place either a cage, trellis, or stakes.
Give your plants adequate spacing. Plants should be about 3 feet (1 m.) apart when tomato planting with cages. Staking only requires about 2 feet (0.5 m.) between plants. Loosely tie the plants to their stakes as they grow, but set the stakes when you set the seedlings.

Finally, water your seedling very well and cover the bed or soil area with mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

4. How To Harvest Tomato

Every farmer’s dream is to have a bountiful harvest, and if you have put in all the above work, then get ready to harvest.

Tomatoes are usually ready for harvest 50-60 days after planting. However, some tomatoes take longer to be ready for harvest, the ones that are ready for harvest between 40-60 days after planting is known as the early season, Midseason tomatoes require 60-80 days after planting while the late-season varieties require 80 or more days to ripen for harvest.

To have plentiful produce for harvest, pluck the fruits at the top of the vine first, which allows more space for those below to yield more fruit, giving room for one per cluster. Or you can just pluck your fruits from anywhere once they are ready for harvest.

Harvest tomatoes by cutting them from the vine with a garden pruner or sharp knife

5. How To Store Tomato

You’ve graduated from growing your tomatoes to harvesting them, now let’s talk about how you can preserve and store them to last all year long

Once harvested, you can store tomatoes indoors at room temperature of around 65°-70°F or in a cozy place outside. At the right temperature, they can last 4-7 days.

You don’t want to refrigerate your not too ripe tomatoes as it stops the ripening process. Refrigerating below 55°F breaks down the compound flavor causing them to lose their flavor and sometimes get overly soft.

Tomatoes can be stored for future use by freezing, canning, or drying. Simply wash the tomatoes, cut out any bad spots, and place them on a baking tray in the freezer. Tomatoes should be stored in plastic freezer bags once frozen.

The Best Options To Store Your Tomato:

1. Freezing: this is one of the easiest options for storing ripe tomatoes that will be used in cooking. It is not good for tomato salad.

2. Oven-dried: You can have your tomato around for much longer by drying them in the oven, seal them in a jar with olive oil, and they will be around for much longer. It can be used in salad, pasta, or stew.

3. Canning: This is one of the best methods for storing tomatoes in different ways without freezing them. Put your tomato sauce, puree, or passata into a sterilized jar and fit it with an airtight lid, then heat it in a deep pan till it boils. This method ensures that you never lack tomatoes all through the winter.

4. Passata: This is great for canning. It is an Italian method of preserving your tomatoes by skinning the tomatoes, heating them till it turns soft, and mashing them up, then sieving to remove the seeds. Voila, you have your tomatoes ready to last all year long either by freezing or canning.

What Are The Best Tomato Varieties?

Selecting the right tomato variety to plant is as important as growing your tomatoes.

Tomatoes come in different shapes, sizes, and colors; there are over 700 varieties of tomatoes all over the world, both hybrids and heirlooms.

There is a distinct classification of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate tomatoes. But we will be focusing on the cold hardy and heat tolerant tomato varieties.

Cold hardy varieties are those tomatoes that are bred to tolerate as low as 55 degrees and below. Short to mid-season tomatoes are the best choices for colder climates. These tomatoes not only set fruit in cooler temperatures, but they also mature in the shortest amount of time; around 52-70 days.

While tolerant tomato varieties thrive in extreme heat and high temperatures.

Best Cold Hardy Tomato Varieties

• Celebrity – Red – round Hybrid, determinate, 70 days, globe (8-12 ounces).

• Galina Tomato – Heirloom, indeterminate, 75 days, yellow-orange, cherry.

• Oregon Spring Tomato – Hybrid, determinate, 58-60 days, red, globe (5 o

• Kimberly Tomato – indeterminate, 54-58 days, red, cherry (golf ball-sized, 1-2 ounces) – an heirloom.

• Orange Pixie Tomato – Hybrid, determinate, 52 days, yellow-orange, large cherry (1 ¾ inch) – Sets well in cool temperatures.

Heat Tolerant Tomato Varieties

• Bella Rosa – Hybrid, determinate, 75 days, red, large.

• Big Beef – Hybrid, indeterminate, 73 days, red, medium/large (10 ounces)

• Arkansas Traveler – Heirloom, indeterminate, 90 days, pink, medium (6 ounces)

• Quarter Century – dates to 1901 – Heirloom, indeterminate, 85 days, red, large (12 ounces)

• Super Sioux – descended from the Sioux tomato – Heirloom; indeterminate; 70 days, red, globe

Tomatoes Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many tomatoes should I plant?
2. Should I buy plants or start tomatoes from seeds?
3. How do I get my tomato plants to produce more fruit?
4. How do you take care of tomato plants?
5. Tomato Disease and Pests
6. When is the best time to plant tomatoes?
7. What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?

How Many Tomatoes Should I Plant?

This depends on the number of family members or people consuming the fruit. Also, the consumption quantity helps to determine.

Depending on the variety, two plants per person for families with low consumption. If you love your salsa, can tomatoes, and more, four plants for each household member.

Should I Buy Plants or Start Tomatoes From Seeds?

Buying plants or starting from seeds all depends on your resources and time.

Growing your tomatoes from the seed is more cost-effective and you get to know firsthand how your seedlings are doing. But plants sown directly in the soil are faced with bad weather conditions and might end up dying.

On the other hand, buying commercially grown plants can give you a head start but it comes at a more expensive price with chances of your seedling not arriving in good condition seeing as tomato seedlings are quite delicate.

How Do I Get My Tomato Plants To Produce More Fruit?

To continue enjoying your fresh fruits for a long time, you must first choose a good tomato variety. Indeterminate tomato varieties are known to yield fruit till the frost comes around to kill it, so that should be a choice.

Secondly, make sure that your plants are regularly fertilized and mulched, this way it does lack moisture and nutrients.

Then prune and harvest regularly as they ripen to give room for more yields.

How Do You Take Care Of Tomato Plants?

Make sure that it is in an area that gets 7-8 hours of sunlight. Of course, the soil should be well fertilized, with the right pH balance. Tomatoes require 1-2 inches of water every week, make sure that the watering remains consistent.

As your plants grow, make out time to constantly prune them and remove sucker leaves so your plants can focus energy on tomato production. As with any plant, be on the lookout for pests and diseases.

Tomato Disease and Pests

There is something about tomatoes and pests, but it is nothing that cannot be taken care of.

Common Tomato Pest

Spider Mite

Aphids
Tomato hornworms
Cutworm
Tomato fruit worm
Whiteflies
Flea beetles
Colorado potato beetle
Root-knot nematodes

How To Take Care Of Tomato Pests

Most tomato pests can be treated with neem oil or insecticidal soap. For the worms, Bacillus Thuringiensis can be used to get rid of it.

Common Tomato Diseases

Early blight (Alternaria Solani)
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans)
Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici)
Mosaic viruses
Tomato spotted wilt
Tomato leaf curl

When Is The Best Time To Plant Tomatoes?

Two to three weeks after the dangers of the last frost are gone, that will be late spring and early summer.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes?

As heavy feeders, it is important to have your soil tested before planting tomatoes to avoid your plant dying out. Also getting the soil tested shows you the nutrient content of the soil and what is lacking. Thereby, you can get the right nutrients. Here are some of the best tomato fertilizers you can get

Dr. Earth Home Grown Fertilizer
Jobe’s Tomato Fertilizer Spikes
Burpee Organic Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food
Greenway Biotech Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38

How To Prune Tomato Plants

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Final Thoughts

Tomatoes, generally, are a joy to grow and even more joy to enjoy with your culinary dishes. If this is your first planting tomatoes, just follow the steps and you will have a bountiful harvest as when due.

We will love to hear from you, do drop us a comment and share your gardening journey or questions with us.