You say ToMAYto - I'll say ToMAHto

The Basics of Growing

Tomatoes are tough plants. Like any other plant, they have a will to survive with or without our help. As gardeners, however, we grow tomatoes for plump, ripe fruits that can't bought at any price. With a little TLC you can transform this tough plant into a high producer of perfect tomatoes.

Don't start the tomato garden too early. You'll not gain much by getting plants into the ground while the soil is cold. Wait until February or March to plant out your first early tomatoes.

Stake

Typical tomato cages will support small bush type (determinate) plants. But the serious grower of vining (indeterminate) tomatoes should devise a strong staking system early.

Mulch with EarthRich^TM

Tomatoes perform best with plenty of heat on the vines, but still want a cool, evenly moist root run below. Mulch generously as tomatoes mature; especially during the hot months.

Feed with Kellogg's Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer

Every three weeks with a specially formulated tomato food that is high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen, keeps the flowers and fruits coming, but doesn't encourage unnecessary green growth.

Water

Uneven watering causes more problems in the tomato garden than any other factor. Wet soil followed by dry spells cause fruit to crack. Long dry spells cause blossom-end rot (dark patches on the bottom of tomatoes). And overhead watering causes mildew and other diseases on the leaves and knocks off the tiny flowers that are future fruits.

Water mulched gardens deep once or twice a week with a slow hose at the roots. The really serious tomato grower might install a drip system.