Moms Need To Know ™

Moms Need To Know

  • Recipe Index
  • Gardening Tips
  • The Mom Life
    • Life As A Mom
    • Frugal Living
    • DIY Projects
    • Etiquette and Manners
  • Essential Oils
  • Saving Money
    • Grocery/Drug Store Coupon Deals
    • Coupon Insert Preview
    • Coupons.com
    • RedPlum Coupons
    • SmartSource Coupons
  • About & Contact Me
    • Contact
    • Terms & Conditions

How To Grow Awesome Tomatoes

June 24, 2015 by Mindi Cherry

How to Grow Awesome Tomatoes2

You have your heart set on growing tomatoes (and even planned out your tomato garden) this gardening season and you want to make sure you are doing it right. Growing awesome tomatoes isn’t overly difficult but you do need to learn a few key things as to what makes them grow. Whether you are growing yellow pear tomatoes or large one pound tomatoes like Beeksteak, you will need to do the following few simple steps.

Here is a quick guide on how to grow awesome tomatoes right in your own backyard.

Broccoli can still be planted!  Learn how!

Broccoli can still be planted! Learn how!

The first thing you need to know is when is your last frost date (as a general rule in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, Mother's Day is the safest date for planning). Tomatoes can handle the heat but they are not fans of the cold. If you are itching to start growing, order a few seed packets and start the seedlings indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. If you are well into your growing season or don’t have the patience for seeds, head down to your local nursery and pick up a few varieties that you know your family will enjoy. Before you buy, gently lift the plant out of its plastic pot and inspect the roots. They should be a bright white and the soil should be moist. If they are a dirty brown and the soil is dried out, put it back unless you are an experienced gardener and can bring the plant back.

If you are direct sowing seeds into your garden, plant 1-2 seeds in a small hole. Use the tip of a pencil to make the hole, drop the seeds in, and then gently cover with soil. Plant tomato seeds or seedlings at least 12 inches apart in all directions. Tomatoes are very heavy eaters and need all the nutrients from the surrounding soil. The little hairs on the tomato plant are root hairs. Remove at least the lower leaves (1 or 2 sets) and bury the plant up until the third set of leaves. All those little hairs will develop more roots. The more roots the tomato plant has, the more tomatoes it will produce for you to eat!

Tomatoes need to be fertilized every 2-3 weeks during their growing season and monthly if they go dormant. Fertilize with compost, earthworm castings, blood and bone meal. You can also make a compost tea that they absolutely love! Invest in a good tomato cage or a tomato stake. The larger the tomato, the more it will need to be staked because as the fruit matures and gets heavy, it will start to droop towards the ground. Sometimes you won’t have to stake cherry or grape tomatoes with large cages but for these varieties it is ok to use a single tomato stake up the center that you can tie to if needed.

To naturally keep pests off your tomato plant, you might think about planting marigolds or onion chives nearby. If your tomato gets aphids or white flies, grab the hose and knock all the bugs off. Either buy or make your own organic insecticide soap and spray the top and bottom of the leaves and the surrounding soil. Do this for three days straight to kill any new insects that hatch. Lastly, you can buy ladybugs and their larvae and release them on your plants. Ladybugs and lacewings will keep unwanted pests at bay.

Follow these steps and you are on your way to growing awesome tomatoes this season!

You might want to check out these other gardening tips:

  • Getting Started With Square Foot Gardening
  • Companion Planting | What NOT To Plant Together
  • Basic Rose Care For Beginners | How To Care For Roses

Related

Filed Under: Daily Life, Gardening Tips, Life As A Mom

This post may contain affiliate links which might make me money. I promise to only use the money to buy wine, male strippers and glitter-pooping unicorns (and maybe to donate to starving orphan puppies in Africa) or whatever the heck I want. If you think I shouldn't make money for the 60+ hours that I spend on this site each week, please go away and never come back. Read my disclosure policy.

« Double Chocolate Brownie S’Mores in a Jar
How To Get Started With Meal Planning »

Comments

  1. Bailey says

    November 18, 2014 at 8:28 am

    I found the information good and informing

    Good work

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by! As a busy mom. I just want to put healthy and flavorful meals on the table quickly without having to rely on processed foods, while still trying to maintain a household. Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Keeping This Site Free For You!

Most Popular Posts

  • The Best Dip For Doritos
  • Oreo Truffles Oreo Cake Balls Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe in the Crockpot
  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Recipes Crockpot Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
  • Companion Planting What Not To Plant Together
  • Easy Cherry Thumbprint Cookies Christmas Cookies
  • Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Easy Chicken Recipes
  • More Deliciousness!

    Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

    I am slightly addicted to fish tacos but don't like the way that so many places fry the fish. Blackening the fish gives these fish tacos so much flavor!

    Blackened Fish Tacos with Cilantro Slaw

    Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe | Homemade Cinnamon Rolls!

    Mexican Lasagna | Freezer Friendly and Absolutely Delicious

    Mindi has been blogging since 2008 sharing her best frugal living tips, recipes and more. When she isn't writing, she spends time as an unpaid cook, maid and chauffeur to her 3 children!

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Privacy Policy

    Just 4 ingredients are needed to make this fabulous pumpkin sugar scrub. This scrub will polish and moisturize your skin - and with a wonderful scent!
    A creamy dijon and mushroom sauce make this my absolute favorite pork chops recipe! Simple to make and you can even substitute chicken for the pork!
    This quiche recipe can be whipped up very quickly and is full of flavor! They're quick and easy (and gluten-free), and the variations are endless!
    This limoncello cake is perfect for dessert or even for breakfast. The light sweetness of the limoncello glaze gives the perfect added sweetness.
    This fettuccine and sausage recipe is full of flavor, yet so simple to prepare and made from ingredients that you probably have in your pantry!
    A homemade taco seasoning mix give these lettuce wrap tacos plenty of flavor (and if you children want to use regular taco shells - let them!)
    Built on the Genesis Framework
    Copyright © 2021 Moms Need To Know. All rights reserved.