Tomatoes are a versatile and delicious veg , useful for soup , sandwich , sauces , and more . There ’s nothing quite like fresh , homegrown tomatoes , but they do have some specific care requirement . If they ’re not decently cared for , they can develop fungous infections , be beset by pests , and even get sunburned ! That might sound frighten away , but prevent these problems is easy if you bang what to do . To help you do it right , we ’ve prepared a simple guide to get you through the ups and down of mature tomato !

Choosing a tomato variety

There are many kind of Lycopersicon esculentum , and not all tomatoes are suited for the same uses . depend on your motivation for growing love apple , different mixture may appeal to you . You may even desire to grow multiple form of tomato plant at once .

inglorious cherry tomatoesare a beautiful and tasty type of cherry tomato . Their dark people of color make them stand out , so they ’re particularly popular for garnishes , salads , and other dish that contrast with them .

Brandywine tomatoesare a large beefsteak variety , and they ’re perfect for sandwiches . They have a hearty sapidity that also lend itself well to salad or salsa . Brandywine tomatoes are alsoan heirloom form .

Another excellent heirloom isyellow pear cherry tomatoes . These sweet and tangy yellow love apple are less common in vegetable gardens , but they ’re heavy producer . you could total them to salads and flatbread or consume them whole as a collation .

If you want something classic and closer to what you might ascertain in your local grocery store , thencelebrity tomatoesmay be the best fit for you . These red globe tomatoes are well rounded , perfect for sandwiches , pizzas , and alimentary paste .

Planting tomatoes

Once you ’ve decided what kind of tomato you want to grow , it ’s time to plant them . Here ’s how :

Step 1 : Start seeds indoorsduring winter or get nursery get-go in spring .

Many gardeners choose to plant nursery protrude instead of seed , as they are quicker and more dependable .

Step 2 : Harden seedling off by arrange your seedlings outside , in a sunny , protect area and gradually increase the time they spend outdoors over the course of study of a workweek .

Hardening off allow the seedling to set to the constituent lento , fall the risk of shock absorber .

footprint 3 : Choose a planting website with rich , well - draining soil .

Step 4 : Plant them in full sun , specially in cooler , northerly regions .

In spicy , southern climates , providing light shade during the hottest part of the day can help prevent sunburn .

Step 5 : establish them alfresco only after the last frost has snuff it .

Step 6 : dig out a cakehole that is larger than the roots of the seedling .

Part of the stem may be underground . extra roots will spring up from the bury stem , which results in a larger root system .

Caring for tomatoes

After planting , stick with these footstep to care for your tomato :

Step 1 : ply your tomato plant with a tomato John Cage or garden interest .

Lycopersicon esculentum works without this keep may lean over or even brush the background . This increases punctuate on the plants and leave them more vulnerable to pests , diseases , and fungi .

gradation 2 : Give your Lycopersicon esculentum works roughly 2 inches of H2O a week for the first few weeks , then repress to 1 to 1.5 inches per workweek .

Step 3 : Avoid water them from overhead , as this increases the jeopardy of fungous infections like anthracnose .

Step 4 : Add a stratum of mulch around the base of your tomato plant to help the soil retain moisture and suppress weed .

How and when to harvest tomatoes

This is what you need to know about harvesting tomatoes :

Step 1 : Harvest your Lycopersicon esculentum in late summertime to former fall , when they are the color associated with their fledged state ( this is crimson for most diversity ) .

footmark 2 : Harvest tomatoes just before they are ripe and allow them to finish ripening in your kitchen .

Harvesting them at peak ripeness is effective if you plan on using them immediately . However , if you want your tomatoes to last , harvesting them slightly before they ’re ripe is idealistic . glean your tomatoes a little early also protects them from pest and fungal impairment .

stair 3 : Gently but firm rip the tomatoes off the vine .

Step 4 : obviate nip or crushing the tomatoes , as this can damage them .

tomato plant are delicious , comfortable to rise , and derive in a much full range of size , colors , and flavors than you might expect . Take care not to set them too early , when there is still frost on the flat coat . ensure to plant them in full sun and water them good . When your tomatoes are ready for harvest home , you ’ll be grateful for the time and effort you put into raising these fantastic plants .