Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular and versatile plants to grow in a garden. By following these guidelines, you can grow and enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, tomatoes can be a rewarding and flavorful addition to your garden. 

Types of Tomatoes

1. Determinate (Bush Tomatoes)
   • Description: These varieties grow to a fixed size, typically 3-4 feet tall, and produce all their fruit at once.
   • Examples: Roma, Celebrity, Patio.
   • Uses: Ideal for growing in containers.
2. Indeterminate (Vine Tomatoes)
   • Description: These varieties continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season until frost.
   • Examples: Cherry, Beefsteak, Brandywine.
   • Uses: Great for fresh eating, salads, and continuous harvest.
3. Heirloom Tomatoes
   • Description: These are non-hybrid, open-pollinated varieties known for their rich flavor and unique shapes and colors.
   • Examples: Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, Green Zebra.
   • Uses: Perfect for gourmet cooking and fresh consumption.
4. Hybrid Tomatoes
   • Description: These are bred for specific traits like disease resistance, yield, and uniformity. Seeds saved from hybrid plants may produce offspring that differ from the parent plant.
   • Examples: Better Boy, Big Beef, Early Girl, Beefsteak, Globe, Cherry, Plum (or paste), and currant.
   • Uses: Reliable for both home gardens and commercial production.

Planting Tomatoes

1. Starting from Seed
   • Timing: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
   • Method: Sow seeds in seed-starting mix, keep them warm, and ensure that seedlings receive plenty of light. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost.
2. Planting Transplants
   • Timing: Plant tomatoes outdoors when the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (16°C) and all danger of frost has passed.
   • Depth: Plant deeper than they were in the pot; bury two-thirds of the stem to encourage a stronger root system.
3. Spacing
   • Determinate: Space plants 18-24 inches apart.
   • Indeterminate: Space plants 24-36 inches apart and provide ample support, such as stakes, cages, or trellises.

Growing Conditions

1. Sunlight
   • Requirement: Tomatoes need full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
   • Impact: More sunlight generally leads to better fruit production and flavor.
2. Soil
   • Type: Well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter.
   • pH: Ideal soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8.
   • Amendments: Work in compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Fertilizer recommendations should be based off of a soil test.
3. Watering
   • Frequency: Water regularly, providing 1-2 inches of water per week. Adjust based on weather and soil conditions.
   • Method: Water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry, which helps prevent disease. Mulching helps retain soil moisture.
4. Temperature
   • Optimal Growth: Tomatoes thrive in temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C to 29°C).
   • Cold Protection: Use row covers or cloches to protect young plants from unexpected cold snaps.

Care and Maintenance

https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1746/2007/pdf/view/g1746-2007.pdf

1. Pruning
   • Indeterminate Varieties: Prune to remove suckers (the shoots that form between the stem and branches) to focus the plant's energy on producing fruit.
   • Determinate Varieties: Require minimal pruning; avoid heavy pruning to maximize yield.
2. Staking and Supporting
   • Stakes: Drive stakes into the ground at planting time. Tie the plants to the stakes as they grow.
   • Cages: Tomato cages provide all-around support and are ideal for both determinate and indeterminate varieties.
3. Fertilizing
   • Initial Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting.
   • Ongoing Feeding: Side-dress with compost or use a tomato-specific fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing season depending on soil test results. 
4. Mulching
   • Type: Use organic mulch like straw, grass clippings, or shredded leaves to help conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and prevent soil-borne diseases.
   • Application: Apply a 2-3 inch layer around the base of the plants, keeping it away from the stems.

Common Pests and Diseases

https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1864/2011/pdf/view/ec1864-2011.pdf

1. Pests
   • Aphids: Small insects that suck plant sap. Control with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
   • Tomato Hornworms: Large green caterpillars that eat leaves. Handpick or use biological controls like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
   • Whiteflies: Tiny white insects that can transmit diseases. Control with neem oil.
2. Diseases
   • Blossom End Rot: Caused by calcium deficiency and irregular watering. Prevent with consistent watering and calcium-rich amendments.
     https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1752/2007/pdf/view/g1752-2007.pdf
   • Early Blight: Fungal disease causing dark spots on leaves. Control with fungicides and by rotating crops.
   • Late Blight: Devastating fungal disease. Prevent by choosing resistant varieties and avoiding overhead watering.

Harvesting

1. Timing
   • When to Harvest: Pick tomatoes when they are fully colored but still firm. Tomatoes continue to ripen after being picked.
   • Ripening Off the Vine: If frost threatens, pick mature green tomatoes and let them ripen indoors.
2. Method
   • Harvesting Technique: Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut tomatoes from the vine, leaving a small portion of the stem attached to the fruit.
   • Storage: Store harvested tomatoes at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Avoid refrigeration as it can affect the flavor.

Variety Suggestions

1. Cherry Tomatoes
   • Varieties: 'Sun Gold,' 'Sweet 100,' 'Black Cherry.'
   • Description: Small, sweet tomatoes that are perfect for snacking and salads.
2. Slicing Tomatoes
   • Varieties: 'Big Boy,' 'Brandywine,' 'Beefsteak.'
   • Description: Large tomatoes with excellent flavor, ideal for sandwiches and slicing.
3. Paste Tomatoes
   • Varieties: 'Roma,' 'San Marzano,' 'Amish Paste.'
   • Description: Dense, meaty tomatoes that are perfect for sauces and canning.

Preserving Tomatoes

1. Canning
   • Description: Preserve tomatoes by canning them as whole, diced, or as sauce. Use a water bath or pressure canner, depending on the acidity.
   • Tip: Always use tested recipes to ensure safety.
2. Freezing
   • Description: Freeze tomatoes whole, sliced, or as sauce. Blanching before freezing helps preserve flavor and texture.
   • Tip: Frozen tomatoes are best used in cooked dishes after thawing.
3. Drying
   • Description: Dehydrate tomatoes to make sun-dried tomatoes. Use a dehydrator or oven on low heat.
   • Tip: Store dried tomatoes in airtight containers to prevent moisture absorption.