Tomatoes are the number one choice
of vegetables to grow in a garden. That's because they are
relatively easy to grow, don't require that much space and one
plant can yield dozens of tomatoes in a season. Tomatoes can
grow in any type of soil, whether it is sandy, dry or moist. To
grow tomatoes, you can either start them by seed or by buying
young plants at your local garden center. Here are some simple
instructions for both methods.
It's a little more work to start
the plants from seed, but it's very rewarding as you see the
plants grow. You will need to start six to eight weeks before
the last expected frost. First, fill a seed tray with container
soil and place a seed in each container. Cover the seeds with a
thin layer of soil. Cover the tray with a plastic top or even
cardboard, so that the seed tray will retain moisture. Place
the tray near a sunny window in a warm room.
When the seedlings start to
appear, remove the plastic top. About a week later, the
seedlings and the soil around them can be transplanted into
larger containers. Place the containers near a sunny window and
make sure to keep the soil moist. At this stage, it is very
important that the soil is never too dry or too wet. Keep the
plants inside until the risk of frost has passed.
Once the risk of frost has
passed, you can either buy tomato plants or use the seedlings
that you started a few weeks earlier. For both methods, the
first step is to harden the plants. You can do this by placing
them outside during the day, in a sunny spot that is well
protected from wind, and then bring them inside for the night
when the temperatures are cooler.
After doing this for about two
weeks, the tomatoes are ready to be planted outside. Tomatoes
can either be grown in large containers, at least one foot in
diameter, or in a garden. The most important thing to remember
is that they will need full sun and protection from the wind.
The best place is along a fence or wall.
If you are planting the
tomatoes in a garden, set them about 12 to 18 inches apart. Dig
a hole in the ground and place a young plant in each hole. Fill
it in with dirt and press down firmly. Place a stake near each
plant, so that the plants will have the proper support to grow
tall and strong. Water well each week and soon you will have
lovely tomatoes all summer long. The tomatoes will be ready to
pick when they are red in colour and firm, but not hard, to the
touch.
