Posted by Mike | Posted in Planting & Gardening | Posted on 30-09-2010
Tags: bed, beds, garden, gardening, gardening raised beds, gardening raised beds uk, gardening raised beds uk 3, raised
 |
 240W Red Blue LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Gardening Supplies Indoor $200.99 Time Remaining: 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $200.99 |
 American Girl Addy Gardening Supplies Pleasant Company Retired $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 46m |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 ea JIFFY PEAT PELLETS TRAYDOME $11.79 Time Remaining: 7d 7h 40m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
 GRASS SHEARS MADE IN USA GARDENING SUPPLIES GARDEN TOOLS OUTDOORS $2.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 42m |
 Seedling Seed Starter tray Gardening Supplies 1200 cells $23.99 Time Remaining: 11d 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 Pleasant Company PC American Girl ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES retired complete set $89.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden
The tomato originated in the Andes, South America where tomatoes grow wild. It is believed that they were first cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas, possibly as early as 700 AD. The tomato plant arrived in Europe in the 16th century, supposedly brought back from Central America by the Spanish Conquistadors, although another legend suggests that two Jesuit priests took them to Italy from Mexico.
At that time tomatoes were also known as wolf's peach and Peruvian apple. In the UK, the Elizabethans thought the bright red colour of tomatoes was a danger signal and regarded them as dangerous fruits. In fact, it is true that tomatoes are related to the nightshade family.
Tomatoes are sub-tropical plants and therefore require a full sun position when grown in temperate zones. A position against a wall or fence will give an even better chance of success as long as they can receive sufficient water.
Tomato plants grow very well in raised beds, they appreciate the soil conditions which provide moisture without water-logging.
Two or three weeks before planting, dig the soil over and incorporate as much organic matter, such as compost or well rotted manure, as possible. The aim is to make the soil able to retain the moisture needed so much by tomatoes.
Tomatoes are unable to tolerate any degree of frost, the timing for planting or sowing outside is therefore key to successfully growing tomatoes. If the tomato seeds are to be sown directly outside (not really suitable in cooler climates), they must be sown when the soil temperature is (and will remain) above 10C (50F) - any lower and the seeds will not germinate. In practical terms this normally means 3 weeks after the last frost date in your area.
Where the seeds are sown under cover (poly tunnels or cloches) or indoors, aim to sow the seeds so that they reach the stage where they can be transplanted outside, three weeks after the last frost date.
Tomato plants plants take roughly 7 weeks from sowing to reach the transplanting stage and they should be transplanted outside one or two weeks after your last frost date. Therefore you should sow them 7 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.
Bush varieties do well for cultivation outdoors because they require no pruning for most of the season. Remove any yellow or decaying foliage as soon as possible to avoid the spread of disease.
If your bush tomatoes become too large to support themselves, either trim out a few major branches or add more support canes - the side branches can then be tied into the additional support canes. Limit the number of trusses of tomatoes to seven or eight by pinching out any surplus ones.
Upright varieties are commonly cultivated in pots, grow-bags, the greenhouse and sometimes outdoors in open soil. When the first fruits begin to form, the plant will produce side-shoots in between the main stem and the leaf stems.
These side shoots should be removed by pinching them out with the fingers. If allowed to grow they will produce a mass of foliage but few tomatoes. Any shoots which have been overlooked and allowed to grow should also be removed.
Lower leaves which show any signs of yellowing should also be removed to avoid the risk of infection.
When the plant has developed six or seven trusses of tomatoes (normally around July time), 'stop' the plant by breaking off the growing tip. If any more than seven trusses of tomatoes begins to develop, pinch them out to encourage the plant to produce good quality tomatoes rather than an abundance of low quality late-maturing fruit.
Pick as soon as the fruits are ripe (colour and size will identify this) for the best flavour - eat as soon as possible. This also encourages the production of more fruit. As soon as a frost threatens, harvest all the fruit immediately and ripen them on a window sill. With upright varieties, it is possible to gently flatten the plants onto the soil and cover with horticultural fleece to protect them from the frost.
About the Author
If you would like to learn more about growing your own tomatoes please visit How To Grow Tomatoes or Growing Tomato Plants for further information.
For more information on this subject click this link
Gardening Tips & Articles and Thank You for visiting Pines To Prairie - Bookmark this page and check back often.
|
|
240W Red Blue LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Gardening Supplies Indoor $200.99 Time Remaining: 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $200.99 |
American Girl Addy Gardening Supplies Pleasant Company Retired $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 46m |
GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 ea JIFFY PEAT PELLETS TRAYDOME $11.79 Time Remaining: 7d 7h 40m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
|
Seedling Seed Starter tray Gardening Supplies 1200 cells $23.99 Time Remaining: 11d 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES WATERING SPRINKLING $7.49 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 36m Buy It Now for only: $7.49 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT LABEL TAGS $6.49 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 5eaHUMIDITY DOMES $14.99 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 5eaTRAYS NO HOLES $9.99 Time Remaining: 17d 9h 52m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hydroponic Seeding Heat Mat for Indoor Garden Planting Gardening Supplies Plants $28.99 Time Remaining: 25d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES SEED STARTING 288 PLUGS+TRAYDOME $10.99 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 37m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 300 ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $19.99 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 58m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50ea3SqPLASTIC POTS $13.99 Time Remaining: 15d 6h 36m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 Seedling Seed Starter trays Gardening Supplies 2100 cells $39.99 Time Remaining: 11d 21h 28m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTSTRAYS $12.99 Time Remaining: 23d 11h 39m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTS2TRAYS $9.99 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 35 PLASTIC POTS $7.99 Time Remaining: 10d 4h 36m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
GRASS SHEARS MADE IN USA GARDENING SUPPLIES GARDEN TOOLS OUTDOORS $2.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 42m |
 Plastic Watering Can Gardening Supplies Watering Equipment Planting New $14.99 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 5m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES PRO MIX BX MEDIUM $8.99 Time Remaining: 23d 11h 25m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 5 GALLONS EA VERMICULITEPERLITE $17.99 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 10m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Red Blue Gardening Supplies Grow Tool $199.99 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 Seed Starting 72 cell inserts Gardening supplies trays $6.59 Time Remaining: 24d 6h 47m Buy It Now for only: $6.59 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 75 PLANT TAGS 8LONG $15.69 Time Remaining: 20d 13h 21m Buy It Now for only: $15.69 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 38 PLASTIC POTS WITH INSERTTRAY $13.95 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 5 JIFFY PEAT POTS $18.49 Time Remaining: 17d 8h 11m Buy It Now for only: $18.49 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 2 GALLONS EAVERMICULITE PERLITE $8.69 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 34m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 Seed Starting Plastic Nursery Pots Trays Gardening Supplies $23.95 Time Remaining: 6d 7h 11m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 2 1 4 DIAMETER JIFFY PEAT POTS $8.29 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $8.29 |
 50 6 HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC FLOWER POTS for SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES $16.79 Time Remaining: 17d 6h 59m Buy It Now for only: $16.79 |
 25 ea Seed Starting 72 cell inserts Gardening supplies $22.50 Time Remaining: 5d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $22.50 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT TAGS 6LONG $7.59 Time Remaining: 23d 6h 33m Buy It Now for only: $7.59 |
Pleasant Company PC American Girl ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES retired complete set $89.99 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 4 GALLONS VERMICULITE $8.69 Time Remaining: 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 1000 Jiffy 7 Peat Pellets 50mm Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $139.95 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $139.95 |
 12 ea Gardening supplies 18 pot inserts Seed Starting $14.99 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Red Blue Gardening Supplies Grow Tool $200.50 Time Remaining: 13d 16h 1m Buy It Now for only: $200.50 |
 2 Gallons Each Vermiculite Fine Perlite Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $8.69 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES OASIS SEED CUTTINGS STARTING KIT $15.99 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 42m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Vermiculite Medium 2 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $5.19 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 20m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 5 PLASTIC POTS $12.79 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 13m Buy It Now for only: $12.79 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 54 POTS 3 CARRY TRAYS $14.49 Time Remaining: 17d 8h 11m Buy It Now for only: $14.49 |
 Vermiculite Coarse 4 Cubic Foot Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $27.59 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 15m Buy It Now for only: $27.59 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 12 INSERTS12 TRAYS $34.99 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 3m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 28eaPLASTIC POTSTRAY $11.79 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 100 JIFFY PEAT POTS $14.75 Time Remaining: 24d 14h 36m Buy It Now for only: $14.75 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES VERMICULITECHOICE $27.59 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 47m Buy It Now for only: $27.59 |
 AMERICAN GIRL ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES COMPLETE NEW $99.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50ea PLASTIC POTS $10.79 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 32m Buy It Now for only: $10.79 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTSINSERTS TRAYS $16.95 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 8m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES VERMICULITE 2 GALS $5.19 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 40m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 25 35 PLASTIC POTS $4.39 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 47m Buy It Now for only: $4.39 |
 Vermiculite Coarse 10 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $17.99 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 10m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT TAGS 8LONG $11.49 Time Remaining: 20d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $11.49 |
 Vermiculite Fine 5 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $9.99 Time Remaining: 11d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 3 INSERTS3 TRAYS $9.99 Time Remaining: 14d 6h 42m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 200ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $13.89 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 32m Buy It Now for only: $13.89 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 10 GAL VERMICULITE $17.99 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 25 ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $5.69 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $5.69 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 24 5 POTS 3 TRAYS $13.49 Time Remaining: 26d 9h 44m Buy It Now for only: $13.49 |
 LARGE GARDEN YARD GARDENING SUPPLIES CART WHEELBARROW $92.84 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 24m Buy It Now for only: $92.84 |
