THE ONE SHEET: TOMATOES REVISITED
farming tips and tricks for thriving tomato plants, including planting methods, harvesting techniques, tasty recipes, and additional advice.
Crack open a juicy, red round fruit that's not a veggie, but a fruit! Tomatoes, indeed, are 100% fruits and make a tasty addition to savory dishes. With over 10,000 varieties at your disposal, you're bound to find a favorite.
First cultivated by the Aztecs around 500 BC, tomatoes can now be found in Nightshade family, along with potatoes, tobacco and chili peppers. In the garden, these tomatoes love basking in the sun and crave warm temperatures.
So, before you sow your seeds, remember: tomatoes worship the sun and need lots of it! Ideal growing temperatures linger between 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 30°C) for the day, and slightly cooler at night, around 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C). Lower nighttime temperatures can interfere with the plant's ability to convert sunlight into energy (photosynthesis) and may impact pollen production. On the flip side, high nighttime temperatures may encourage fewer blooms and dropped blossoms.
If you live in a sweltering climate, the warmer daytime temperature is perfect for your tomato plants. Morning sun rays work best if you're in a cooler area. Hydrate your plants well daily, and even twice a day if temperatures increase to help them quench their thirst and create energy for blooming and fruiting. Water them slowly and deeply to promote root growth.
To strike the perfect balance between flavor and convenience, allow tomatoes to ripen on the vine when possible, but don't hesitate to pick them when they are mature green, just showing a blush of color. You can even ripen your green tomatoes indoors for better control over the ripening process and climate. A fully ripe tomato turns completely to its color - red, yellow or orange (depending on the variety), with a firm texture. While it's common to opt for vine-ripened tomatoes for optimal flavor, this may not always be the best choice based on climate or growing conditions.
Now, dig your fingers into the soil, feel the warmth, and watch your tomatoes grow. As they mature, give them love, care, and a little bit of TLC - and the sweet, tangy, and juicy rewards of your labors will soon be yours!
Tomatoes are day-loving, sun-worshiping plants. Give them as much sunlight as possible, ideally up to 8 hours a day, in a well-lit, exposed area. Keep them hydrated for lush, healthy growth, and nourish the soil with compost or nutrient-rich organic matter. On behalf of the tomato world, thanks for giving them a home!
For an even more robust harvest, consider growing them in separate containers for more care and control. This also allows for better temperature management, as containers can be moved indoors when temperatures drop below 65°F at night - a must for tomatoes to thrive.
Pruning tomato suckers is recommended both at planting time and throughout the season to prevent competition for nutrients. This also makes the plants more manageable and easier to care for. Simply pinch off the suckers at their base with your fingers or use scissors or hand pruners for a cleaner cut. Pruning early helps promote stronger growth, making the plants easier to handle.
These are some excellent companion plants for tomatoes: basil, garlic, lettuce, sage, asparagus, mint, parsley, chives, carrots, onions, and marigolds. Steer clear of planting tomatoes near cabbage, corn, dill, peppers, or potatoes.
Enjoy tomatoes in a variety of delicious ways, from rich Tomato Ricotta Bruschetta to fragrant Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta. Make the most of your homegrown tomatoes and let the glory of your very own patch shine in every dish!
Despite the infamous Nightshade stigma, tomatoes are not carcinogenic nor linked to causing joint pain or inflammation. In fact, they are rich in antioxidants and contain minerals that boost skin health and support bone health. The second most consumed vegetable in the United States, tomatoes offer numerous health benefits and make a nutrient-dense superfood for healthy skin, weight loss, and heart health. For more information on tomatoes' nutritional benefits and impressive history, head to Medical News Today.
- For a fruit that's beloved for its taste and versatility in cooking, consider vegetable gardening tomatoes in a well-lit, sunny spot, providing them with at least 8 hours of sunlight daily.
- To ensure a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, provide them with adequate water and nutrients through compost or organic matter, and regulate temperatures by growing them in containers if needed, moving them indoors when nighttime temperatures fall below 65°F.
- To enhance tomato growth and make plant care more manageable, prune tomato suckers both at planting time and throughout the season, using your fingers, scissors, or hand pruners to remove them at their base.
