How to grow tomatoes of all varieties at home; Heirloom, Cherry, Roma and BeefsteaksTomato Plant Problems? Growing Tomatoes the Master Gardeners WayLearn how to grow tomatoes - Grow Beautiful varieties of tomatoes and solve tomato plant problems.
Courtesy of Dave Stokes Growing tomato plants is not at all tricky. Planting tomatoes is the number one gardening activity for Americans, and it is easy to see why. They are quite forgiving of the gardener, asking at a minimum full sun and lots of water. Tomatoes taste wonderful and contain lycopene, which is what makes tomatoes red, and is also linked to a preventing certain cancers and heart disease, along with the free radical damage associated with these diseases. There are a few things you will want to consider before you get started so you can avoid tomato plant problems and the pests and diseases they may get. First, do you want to start yours from tomatoe seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before planting? If you only need six plants instead of a whole garden full of them, it makes sense to just swallow your pride and buy some inexpensive "starts" at the garden store. Living in the city is the perfect excuse to have a few patio tomatoes on your back deck, yard or other sunny spot. Planting tomatoes in pots is so easy your 6 year old could do it. Choose your Variety There are about 25,000 varieties of tomatoe seeds to choose from. If you are just beginning to learn how to grow tomatoes, go with the short version. Roma Tomatoes Courtesy of Gudlyf Also known as plum or paste tomatoes, Romas are a pear shaped fruit best suited to making in salsas and sauces, or for making tomato paste and canning salsa or canning tomatoes. They are less juicy, have a meatier inside and have fewer seeds, great for the home cook. Cherry Tomato Plants
Courtesy of izik One of the earliest producers, a cherry tomato plant is prolific and one plant is usually enough for one family. Since they are not suitable for canning salsa or canning tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are excellent sources of nutrition and are great in salads. Patio tomatoes are often of the Cherry varieties, as planting tomatoes in pots is simple and great for city folks needs. Beefsteak Tomatoes Courtesy of Bruce Barrien One of the later ripening varieties, the Beefsteak tomatoes are very large, round and glossy. Wonderful in salads and sandwiches, you might want to serve a crowd as these tomatoes can be hard to use up, at up to 2 lbs. each! Patio Tomatoes Courtesy of I love butter These dwarf tomatoes produce the small cherry type tomatoes in a quick period of time. They have compact vines and are very well suited to planting tomatoes in pots, and can also be grown in a hanging basket or other small container. Patio tomatoes are not known for giving the gardener many tomato plant problems to deal with, so are great for the beginner. Heirloom Tomatoes
Courtesy of foodistablog The origins of Heirloom tomatoes are rich in history and have been storied and fabled so much that one is immediately drawn to their diverse shapes, colors and flavors, even as the critics claim heirlooms are simply an inferior tomato to our modern hybrids. We do know that heirlooms have somewhat poor resistance to disease and so are not the first pick for the novice just learning how to grow tomatoes. Continue on to part 2 of How to Grow Tomatoes
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