• Select organically grown, non-GMO plants.
• Select days to maturity that fits your growing season
• Choose several different varieties such as cherry tomatoes, slicers, sauce tomatoes and low-acid tomatoes.
• Buy healthy, stocky plants that have green foliage and no signs of pests.

How To Grow Tomato Plants In The Garden

Tomatoes are so low in calories that you could eat two a day for the entire summer and never gain an ounce. One whole is packed with potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A, calcium and iron. Fresh picked tomatoes eaten straight from the garden have flavor and texture that store bought varieties can not even begin to compete with. Regardless of the size of garden space, you can grow tomatoes, be it in the ground, in a raised bed, patio container or even in a hanging basket.

Our Tips To Successfully Growing Tomatoes

1. Purchase healthy tomato plants or use transplants that you have grown from seed.
   


2. Select a growing area where the tomatoes will receive full sun.


3. Tomatoes need well drained soil to grow properly. Begin working the soil, adding in compost to increase aeration when the soil is dry enough that it does not stick to your garden tools.


4. Tomatoes also require calcium to produce the best fruit. Amending your soil with bone meal provides your tomato plants with an excellent source of calcium with the added bonus of phosphorus. When adding amendments and fertilizing, go easy on the nitrogen or you will have all leaf and few fruits. Steer clear of Miracle-Grow and other synthetic salt based fertilizers which do more harm than good to the tilth of your soil.


5. When planting your tomato plants, set the plants a little deeper than they were originally growing so lower leaves are next to the ground. The roots of the tomato plant will then develop along the buried portion of the stem producing a stouter trunk.


6. Plant tomatoes typically 24” to 36” apart. Planting closer than 24 inches reduces air circulation around the plants and can trigger disease outbreaks. Large vine tomatoes should be spaced 36 inches apart. Stake or cage your tomatoes as needed.


7. Apply an organic fertilizer at the time the soil is prepared. For tomatoes, use a gentle non-burning fertilizer. We suggest using Down-To-Earth All Purpose Fertilizer Mix  4-6-2.


8. Uniform watering is necessary to allow the plant to uptake calcium and other nutrients. Do not over water and do not underwater. Keep the soil consistently damp with deep watering and the use of mulch. Consistent watering can prevent leaf-end roll, blossom end-rot and "cat-facing". Tomatoes are all about the watering!


9. Feed your tomatoes just as they start to set fruit, and again mid-season with Down-To-Earth All purpose Mix.


10. Pick tomatoes just as they are fully ripe. Picked tomatoes keep well for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate!