Tomato Tips

Tomato classes:   

Beefsteak: 1-lb or larger, for sandwiches, slicing or juicing

Cherry or grape: Snacking or salads                                                                                                

Heirloom: Taste, aesthetics (purple, green, black, brown, striped, etc.)                                                

Hybrids: Taste, productivity, disease-resistance                                                                                        

Paste, pear, plum: Sauce, canning, salsa          

Site conditions for success:                                                                                                                   

• At least 6 hours of direct sun daily
• Well drained soil with added organic matter. If your soil is dense clay incorporate dehydrated  manure or compost.
• Regular, deep soakings, especially as plants mature and are bearing fruit. Water at base of plant, keeping foliage as dry as possible to reduce likelihood of fungal issues.
• Whether in the ground or containers, use a complete fertilizer (one that has N, P, K), preferably one that has calcium to prevent blossom end rot.          

Determinate versus indeterminate:

Determinate tomatoes reach a certain point and stop increasing in height. Determinate varieties tend to flower and set all their fruit in a  concentrated time period. Then they’re finished. Most determinate tomatoes are good for smaller spaces or containers. Seldom over 36-42”, but do need staking or support.  Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow all season, making large plants with an extended harvest season that need large, heavy duty supports to get through to the end of the season without breakage.

Days to maturity refers to the number of days to harvest of first fruit from a standard-sized transplant (can range from 50-90 days based on variety).

Heirloom versus hybrid: Heirloom is any variety that is over 50 years old (typically refers to much older historic varieties). Asset- Literally thousands of varieties with shapes, colors and flavors unlike anything you’ll find at the grocery. Consideration: Generally, more susceptible to fungal diseases than hybrids.          The hybrid tomato selection is very robust, too. The hybrid advantage is their productivity and superior disease resistance. By the way, all of our veggies are non-GMO!

Spacing in the ground:                                                                                                              

24-30” for determinate, 36-42” for caged, indeterminate

Tomato success products:                                                         

Fertilizer choices (for tomatoes in the ground or in containers):                                                         

In Ground:

• Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable & Herb (4-6-3 with 7.5% Ca)
• Espoma Tomato Tone (3-4-6 with 8% Ca)

For containers:                                                                                                                                               

• Osmocote (timed release 14-14-14 that lasts up to 4 months)
• Dr. Earth Life All Purpose                                              

Mulches:

• Leaf Mulch
• Cotton Burr Compost

Cages or stakes (for support)

For heirloom varieties, should consider Fung-onil (fungicide) as a preventative measure.