The most popular vegetable to grow, tomatoes find a spot in most home gardens. Whether we grow them for canning (like I do) or for fresh eating, a bumper crop of tomatoes can make any gardener feel like a pro.
How do we get that bumper crop? Though we can’t control the yearly nemeses of weather, disease, and pests, getting our tomato plants off to a good start gives them the best advantage.
But because everyone it seems grows tomatoes, sometimes the most basic information on growing the most popular vegetable can be hard to find. In this episode of the Beginner’s Garden Podcast, I go through all the basics, such as:
- When to plant
- [More important] When NOT to plant
- The 7 supplies you need
- How far apart they need to be planted
- Step-by-step planting instructions
- Suggestions on staking, and the ONLY time I recommend using round tomato cages
- Why you should mulch, but not right away
Click below to listen to the episode, then scroll down to get all the show notes for this episode, including some valuable resources to get your tomatoes off to their best start!
Show Notes
(some links below are affiliate links)
The two organic fertilizers I recommend are Tomato Tone and Garden Tone:
My method for crushing egg shells:
VIDEO: a variation of the Florida Weave for staking tomatoes:
*As I mentioned in the podcast, this method works best for Roma tomatoes and other determinate varieties. If you use them for an indeterminate type, you’ll need taller stakes.
Recommended books on tomatoes, mentioned in the podcast:
Previous Podcast Episodes mentioned:
Episode 3: 4 Types of Mulch to Use in Your Garden
Episode 8: How to Grow a Salsa Garden
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