ABCs of tomato cultivation
Depending on the usage of tomatoes, you have to choose the genre of tomatoes for tomato cultivation. It may be for cooking, preserving, dressings in salads, direct consumption or marketing to other places. If you want prolific fruiters that are apt for salads and to consume right away after harvesting, use Sweet 100. Roma is ideal for pastes, tomato sauce and for all preservations. While growing tomatoes, consider the varieties like early boys, early girls, big mama’s, big boys, beefsteaks, sweet baby girls, big rainbow, French rose hybrids and a lot more. The first step of success in tomato cultivation is choosing the right kind of breed.
If you decide to grow tomatoes from scratch, sow the seeds in a container and let them be in it for about 6 to 8 weeks of time and later reallocate them to the ground. Potting mix or starter soil should be incorporated in the container and press well for compact air. Usually, the tomato seed packs include instructions for tomato cultivation. Ensure you follow them exactly, as every kind of tomato requires different steps in cultivation. If you encompass an array of tomato variety, ensure to label it in the pots, along with the date and type.
For rapid germination of tomato plants, see to it that the seeds are always moist. Cull out the weaker seedlings, so that the strong ones have more space to grow well. Once the plant has a second set of leaves, transplant to the garden or field. Tomato cultivation requires a place which does not have the threat of frost, rain and wind and should be in a shady place. Make sure to have 24 inches in between plants and rows. Prevent the cutworms by wrapping with newspaper strips or nail. Grow tomatoes in steady moist land, but that does not mean it should be flooded with affluent water. When water is excess, it prevents air circulation in the root system. So the ideal time to water the tomato plants is the morning time.
Growing tomatoes in summer requires more water. You should water them frequently. Once the top soil is dehydrating, water them. Tomato cultivation requires little acidic soil holding pH balance of 6.2 -6.8. You can easily test the pH level with DIY kits, accessible in the local nursery. You can add lime or sulfur to increase or decrease the pH level. Use organic compost while growing tomatoes to maintain soil structure. Growing tomatoes does not take more than 100 days to bear tasty fruits.
Rachel Jones has been in the field of growing tomatoes for a long time and maintains a website about tomato cultivation where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.
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