Homegrown tomatoes not only save money but also offers the reward of plucking perfectly ripe fruits from the vine.
Tomatoes are the most popular fruits that can be grown in home gardens or backyards. Even small or no-space gardeners can enjoy homegrown tomato harvest just by following few steps. Keep scrolling for a step-by-step guide for growing tomatoes at home.
Pick a growing location
First, you need to pick a growing location in the sunniest, and hottest part of your garden or backyard. Tomato plants thrive in six to eight hours of daily sunshine. The best-suited spot for growing tomatoes would be the south or west sides of your garden to gain maximum exposure to the sun rays.
Dig a hole and maintain plant spacing
The second step involves the digging up of holes 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Spacing is a significant component for healthy productive plants. Sow the seedlings of the plants about two feet apart and it is essential to label every variety.
Plant the seedlings
Sow young seedlings of tomato plants deep into nutrient-rich soil. Fill the sowing pits or holes with equal parts of potting soil and planting mix. The mixture offers an aerated, medium-density environment for the plant’s roots to expand and access nutrients. Keep the top three to four inches of the seedling over the soil and bury the rest into the hole.
Place cages
Tomatoes grown in home gardens require cages for support. Place tomato cages over the young plants. As the plants grow, you need to lay the branches over the wires of the cage. The cage helps to keep the fruit off the ground and it supports the weight of the heavy branches of the plants.
Fertilizing the plants
Before picking the fertilizer, it is essential for you to have your soil tested to find out the current nutrient content. If the soil is high in nitrogen or correctly balanced, opt for a fertilizer that is slightly lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorous. While fertilizing tomato plants, remember to not use too much nitrogen. This will result in a lush green tomato plant with very few fruits. Once the plants start bearing fruits, add light fertilizer.
Water only as needed
A simple way to determine if your plants need water is to stick your fingers into the soil. If the soil is damp several inches below the surface, then the plants are hydrated and do not require more water. The plants require two inches of water every week to nurture and grow.
So, are you ready to grow your tomatoes at home?
