Tomato Plants from Seedshow to grow tomato plants from seeds

Tomato container gardens are an alternative to a traditional tomato garden. Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables, well in this case fruits, of people around the world. They can be used in so many ways, in a salad or to make a sauce for pasta and a myriad of other ways in your culinary pursuits. Sadly in some places tomatoes are being priced at three dollars per pound or more. Fortunately, everyone can grow their own tomatoes, even people that live in apartments. The answer is to grow a tomato container garden. You can grow them on a patio or balcony or in a bright sunny room in your home.

The number one essential is sun. Tomatoes require a lot of light and will not thrive without out it. The materials you will need to gather for your tomato container garden are simple. You will need containers that are about five gallons in size. Only plant one tomato plant per pot. You will need soil, tomato seedlings and stakes or a wire cage to hold the plant upright. String, or products called twist-tie or sturdy-tie will be needed to tie the plant to the stakes or cages. You will need a plastic tray for drainage; good drainage is essential to the health of your tomato container garden. Last need on the list is fertilizer.

There are some species of tomatoes that will do better in your tomato container garden. The bush varieties of tomatoes work well in containers and are popular with container gardeners. Cherry tomatoes and Christmas Grape tomatoes work well also because of their size and many gardeners grow them when space is limited. Other varieties that will flourish in a tomato container garden are Celebrity, Early Girl, and Sweet 100′s. It really depends on which variety you want to grow and for what purposes. If you will be growing them mainly for salads the cherry varieties are the way to go.

As mentioned before, sunlight is a requirement in order to grow your tomato container garden. Scout out the area you are planning to use for your tomatoes. The spot for your tomato container garden must get at least four to six hours of sunlight. The more light the better since the sun promotes healthy, steady growth. The two most important elements for success in tomato container gardening is sunlight and water.

By growing your own tomato container garden you will know that there were no pesticides used on your plants. With all the controversy going on about pesticides knowing that yours is pesticide free is an advantage for you and your family. Here is a good natural pest deterrent:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

Other pluses to this type of garden is you no longer will be paying high prices for tomatoes, your containers won’t take up much space and one plant usually yields enough tomatoes to feed your family. The cost of a tomato container garden is minimal and the feeling of accomplishment is great. So why are you waiting to plant your tomatoes? It’s time to choose the variety of tomato you want to grow, pick up some containers and start your tomato container gardens today.

Happy Container Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

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Though many plants are easier and faster to grow, for the garden, tomatoes are one of the most commonly and popular of garden plants. It isn’t hard to see why. A single productive plant can produce up to a hundred pounds of succulent, juicy tomatoes. The key is in how to grow them productively.

Tomatoes come from and still grow in South America, and the needs of the plant haven’t changed much over time. We can use this to our advantage to ensure that our tomato plants are productive, by using the method used by Native Americans.

You don’t necessarily need to have a garden plot to grow them this way, either. They can even be grown in a large container on the patio by slightly altering the following steps. They also do well in flower beds, as long as they have the room to grow and bush out.

You can start with a seedling plant or grow the tomato from seed, but it is easier to purchase a growing seedling plant that is close to twelve inches tall. The tomato production will usually be larger and earlier.

Choose plants with healthy looking leaves and fairly strong stems. The leaves should be dark green, with very little or no yellowing which would indicate a stressed or sick plant.

Note: If you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, be sure that you wash your hands well before handling or planting tomatoes. Tobacco residue can spread illnesses to tomato plants.

The following steps are for a tomato plant that is one foot tall, measured from ground level to the top of the plant. You can vary the steps slightly, depending on the height of the plant.

Dig a hole two and a half feet deep and a foot across. This should be in soil that drains well, but that isn’t too sandy. The soil needs to be able to retain the water, yet the roots of the plant should not stand in water, so drainage is necessary. Good quality commercial potting soil will work well, if you are in an area with poor soil.

In the bottom of the hole, place a layer of several inches of dead fish or fish parts. If you like fishing, you can use the leavings after filleting or cleaning the fish you catch.

If you do not fish, check with your neighborhood supermarket. Often, they will save the portions of the fish that would normally be thrown away and give them to you. Seafood stores are another option for getting fish parts. The type of fish is unimportant. For a 1-foot tomato plant, about three to six inches of fish parts is plenty.

Over the top of the fish, place about six inches

The first thing that you need to do is decide how much space you need to plant your garden. Depending on this space, figure out how many plants to plant.

Vegetable gardens need plenty of sunlight. Generally speaking, the more sun the better. Don’t plant your garden too close to trees or anything else that will shade it too much.

Vegetables need good drainage when they grow, so it’s a good idea to plant them in raised beds. You can make these out of cement blocks or wood. If you don’t have these resources, you can plant on raised mounds of dirt.

Growing Tomatoes

There are so many varieties of tomatoes to choose from. It’s a good idea to plant tomatoes when the soil is warm, after danger of frost is over.

If you’re planting dwarf plants, place them 12 inches apart in the row. If you’re planting staked plants, place them 15 to 24 inches apart.

Tomatoes need plenty of water, especially during dry summers. Water them thoroughly every couple of days. Tomatoes in containers may need daily or even more frequent watering.

You’ll know when your tomatoes are ready when they’re firm and fully colored. In hot summer weather, pick your tomatoes every day or two. Even after they’re picked, they’ll continue to ripen slowly over the next several weeks.

Growing Sweet Corn

Like tomatoes, there are lots of different varieties or corn. Sweet corn needs warm soil. You should plant corn just before the frost-free date.

Place the seeds 1/2 inch deep in cool, moist soil. Space the kernels 9 to 12 inches apart in the row. It’s a good idea to plant two or more rows side by side to ensure good development. Allow 30 to 36 inches between rows.

Fertilize around the tomato seeds right when you plant them. When your corn reaches almost 10 inches, fertilize again. Corn will be ready to harvest 3 weeks after the first silk appears.

Your corn will be ready to harvest in 60-85 days. To pick them, break the ear from the stalk close to the base so as not to damage the ear or the stalk.

Growing Radishes

Radishes need a fine, well-prepared seed bed. It’s a good idea to apply animal manure or compost about 6 weeks before planting. This helps build up the water-holding capacity of the soil, and it balances the nutrient supply.

Plant small radishes 1-2 inches apart, and larger varieties 6 inches apart. You can grow several rows of radishes in a bed as long as you keep your beds at least 2 feet apart.

Radishes need consistent moisture. If they dry out during their growth, they’ll become bitter. Keep your radishes plenty moist throughout the growing season. You can use straw mulch to help retain moisture in your soil.

Most radish varieties mature in 25 to 35 days. They’re only mature for a short time, so if left in the ground too long, they can become pithy and mealy. It’s a good idea to watch them closely, and pick a radish every so often to determine their maturity.