By Michelle Fabio
For many of us, the end of summer means the end of beloved fresh tomatoes, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can easily freeze tomatoes for enjoyment throughout the colder months.
By Danny Thompson
How do you grow great tomatoes?
Well, in order to really get a feel for the perfect environment, let’s take a trip back in history, to the origins of the Tomato.
Because to grow a successful tomato, we must think like a tomato.
It should come a no shock that tomatoes have natural allies in the plant world.
These allies help protect the tomato from pests and predators, leave nutrients in the soil that help the plants and fruit to grow, improve flavor, and in turn benefit from the tomato plant properties.
Friends of the Tomato
As a rule of thumb, consider planting your tomatoes near: carrots, beans, celery, cucumbers, lettuces, mint, garlic, chives, parsley, borage, bee balm, oregano, sage, or marigolds.
By Michelle Fabio
If you aren’t growing your tomatoes from seeds, it’s good to know how to choose tomato plants for transplanting at the local nursery.
So, keeping in mind that you’ll be choosing plants that will hopefully be with you for quite some time, it’s a good idea to FLIRT with them a bit before you take them home:
By Danny Thompson
Okay, I don’t know if that’s actually true . . . I’ll look into it and get back to you.
But apparently, they like a little seaweed.
Regular use of kelp sprays on your tomato plants has been shown to make plants heartier and healthier, and even improve the soil conditions and flavor of the tomatoes.
By Amelia Tucker
1. Start early OR buy plants.
Use seeds if you are set up to grow them with proper space, lighting and will be able to keep them moist. If you are not able to devote the time then buy plants. Let the greenhouse do all the early work.
2. Plant deeply.
It can not be said often enough that the root system is where a tomato gets its growing power. Plant your seedling as deep as the top two leaves, and you will have the best root system to support the most fruit. Don’t worry, the plant will not be set back by this.
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