Tomato Triumph: Expert Tips for Bountiful Harvests

#growingtomatoes #tomatoecare #companionplanting #gardeningmadeeasy

Tomatoes, with their juicy flesh and versatile uses in culinary creations, hold a special place in the hearts of gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. Cultivating these delicious fruits (yes, they are fruits) at home not only brings satisfaction but also a bounty throughout the gardening season.

The Tomato's Allure - Why Grow Your Own Tomatoes?

From beefsteak to roma, heirloom to hybrid, the world of tomatoes offers a cornucopia of choices for growers. Each variety boasts its unique flavor profile, shape, and color, allowing gardeners to experiment with different types based on their preferences or culinary needs.

Find what you love and then grow it abundantly to keep you snacking all summer long.

Beyond their delectable taste, tomatoes pack a nutritional punch. Rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants like lycopene, these fruits contribute to overall health. Whether eaten fresh in salads or cooked into sauces, tomatoes offer a delicious way to boost your diet.

Looking for culinary inspiration? Tomatoes serve as a versatile canvas for an array of dishes—from classic caprese salads to hearty stews and savory sauces. Their adaptability in the kitchen opens up endless possibilities for creative cooking and flavor exploration.

Tips and Tricks:

Tomatoes like to eat- once they are about 6 weeks old, I feed my tomatoes every 2-3 weeks. Note that I use the Promix, soil that has nutrients in it as seed starter. Remember that their first few feedings should be low strength and if your tomatoes are in containers you should be feeding them with the instruction for container/indoor plants. Start low and go slow or they might turn yellow to tell you that you over fed them.

When plants are small and in those cell packs/starter pots if you water them from the bottom, it promotes root growth as the roots reach towards the moisture. you just pour an inch or so of water into the bottom of a tray and let the plants sit for about 20 minutes. The soil will absorb as much water as they want then drain the extra- if any.

When you are potting up your tomatoes, if you cut off the bottom few branches you can replant the plant deep and new roots will grow from the stem. You are also making cuttings in the process and if so inclined-you can grow whole new plants. It takes several weeks, but if a large piece of your plant is cut off for whatever reason- perhaps a child or dog plucked off or it repotting time and you want to try saving it- by all means. Just place the cutting in water and find them a shady spot. Wait for a week or so and watch the roots grow. Replant once cutting has a few inches of growth.

Now for our larger tomatoes plants, to prune or not to prune? this is a highly debated topic by garden enthusiasts. I do not tend to prune any foliage except when repotting as previously mention above. Some people swear pruning will increase your production. If you really want to prune- Id recommend pruning all the suckers off and that’s about it. Suckers are the small shoots that grow in the crotch where a leaf meets the main stem of the tomato plant. If you want to learn more about the different methods out there, check out : https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/garden-fundamentals/how-to-prune-tomatoes and wiki has some nice diagrams: https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Tomatoes I have always had a good crop of tomatoes without this and so i figure may as well leave well enough alone.

Companion Planting Benefits

Enhancing the growth and flavor of tomatoes can be achieved through companion planting—a technique that pairs compatible plants together for mutual benefit:

·         Basil: Acts as a natural pest deterrent while enhancing flavor when planted near tomatoes.

·         Marigolds: Help repel nematodes that can damage tomato roots.

·         Nasturtiums: Deterring aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects.

·         Onions: Interplanting onions with tomatoes can help deter pests like aphids and caterpillars.

Personal Favorite: the humble cherry tomatoe

My personal favorite type of tomato to grow is cherry tomatoes, especially Tiny Tims. Easily accessible at Dollarama for around 30 cents per pack, they thrive well in Edmonton with minimal effort. They can be grown in containers, garden beds, or hanging baskets—making them a convenient choice. Continuously producing fruit all summer long makes them my top pick.

I've moved away from growing larger tomato varieties due to space constraints and our short growing season here. I am not a canner, no matter how hard I try to talk myself into it- its just not for me. And if 1 day i want to give it a try, at the end of season its fairly easy to get a box of tomatoes from a local grower for like $15. Opting for cherry tomatoes ensures a steady supply of fresh snacks throughout the season without overwhelming harvests or wastage. I typically start my little plant babies in early March and Im just seeing buds of fruit on my plants now (May 20).

In conclusion, growing tomatoes at home is simple yet rewarding. With some care, nourishment, sunlight—and perhaps some friendly companion plants—you can enjoy the bountiful harvests of these red ruby delights! Remember, I'm rooting for ya!