Laura Lawrence- Northern Michigan Homesteader
An awesome garden addition to grow learn how by downloading this FREE Guide and also watching my "How to" Video HERE
Learn how I plant tomato plants, which by the way I plant 200 of them each year because I LOVE tomato plants! Watch the video, download the free guide to see how I plant my tomato plants- learn these tips now!
Once you've grown and harvest you'll be able to preserve by canning the tomatoes, sauce, making salsa, the possibilities are endless!
Using the tomato Sauce you can create my Semi-Famous Pizza Sauce & 15 Minute Spaghetti Sauce
How to Plant-
Dig the hole 4-8 inches deep; mix in 1 tablespoon Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon crushed egg shells. Lay the plant somewhat on it’s side so there is more stalk to grow roots and help the plant become stronger and absorb more nutrients. Cover up and water.
Fertilize -after one month with either fist fertilizer or garden tone.
Staking – most tomato plants will require some sort of staking. You may choose not to and that is ok, they will still grow, however it will increase your risk for blight and other soil diseases that get splashed up onto the plant.
You can use hog panels for them to grow up on, this option uses less twine or garden tape when helping them stay off the ground.
If you use tomato cages you will need to get very strong and sturdy one’s to be able hold the weight of the tomatoes. If you choose this option, right after planting place the tomato cage for them to grow into.
I’ve used stakes and string which work ok as well.
With the hog panel or stakes you’ll need to have some sort of twine, clips, or garden tape to help secure the plant stems and stalks as they grow.
The idea is to keep leaves off the ground and away from any splashing to minimize soil diseases getting onto the plant.
Pruning – you’ll need to prune these plants in order to get the energy/nutrients into the tomato/fruit itself and not just all the green foliage. You’ll want to be looking for suckers, these generally grows in the “V” spot. They typically just pop off, once they get bigger you’ll need to use pruners in order to minimize damage to the plant.
Watering – Make sure not to over water tomatoes during the last stage of growth. (When they are turning red) This will cause them to split at the top. Which is fine to eat, they just do not look as pretty. This is caused by absorbing to much water to quickly and the delicate ripening stage. Of course you can not control Mother Nature.
Harvest- You can harvest these green, or when they are fully red. If you have plan on canning the tomatoes and you do not have enough turning at the same time you can harvest and place on your counter for a few days. If they are mostly red they will turn fairly quickly, but if slightly green you’ll be safe for a few days.
What to do with all your tomatoes?!?!?
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