TOMATOES

Lycopersicum esculentum

Young tomato seedlings are grown in a protected environment

A healthy seedling to be planted in the garden after fruits form

Buy clean well labelled plants from nurseries. Discard seedlings that are spindly and marked

Tomato flowers and developing fruit

Plastic guards are a good way to protect early plantings from the elements

Straw can be used to shield developing fruit in hot weather

Buried treasures!

Select clean and well formed fruit for seed collection

Collect tomato pulp in a container for fermenting

Low grade fruit can be used for preserving as chutney

Life in a retail nursery would not be the same without the magnificent tomato.

Endless Varieties And Many Experts

This messy half-shrub, half- creeper has ignited the passions of more gardeners than any other vegetable. Introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese from South America, endless varieties are now found throughout the world.

When it comes to growing tomatoes, there appears to be as many experts as there are varieties. Having worked in retail nurseries frequented by older migrant gardeners, I have received much advice on how to grow tomatoes successfully. Of course, failures bring out much angst and accusations about the quality of seedlings and accuracy of labelling of the variety sold.

Growing Tomatoes With Success

Below are some suggestions and tips that should improve the chances of success when growing tomatoes;

Don't keep seeds obtained from hybrid varieties. Unless you are experimenting with varieties, the seedlings obtained from these fruits will not consistently resemble to original fruits and show a great deal of variation.

Care Of Young Plants

When planting early in the season in cool climates, grow the seedlings in small dark pots. Wait until the seedling has flowered and set at least one fruit before planting into the soil. Ensure plants are in well drained soil and do not plant early seedlings too deep in cold soil.

Stress young plants by minimizing the available water and fertilizers rich in nitrogen until after fruit has set. After this stage increase the level of fertilizer and water as required. An excess of water and fertilizers can lead to much leaf growth and little fruit formation during the early growth stages.

Selecting Suitable Tomato Varieties

Plant dwarf varieties in pots or in very windy locations. Should there be a lack of irrigation water, dwarf varieties have lower water needs. Dwarf varieties need to be mulched carefully in order to keep developing fruits away from contact with the soil. Check carefully for pests and diseases as these are easier to miss when plants are growing below eye level.

Should a good variety that is open-pollinated be grown, seed may be kept for the next season. Open pollinated varieties have been around for a long time and generally produce reliable crops. Select healthy fruit and squeeze the pulp containing seed into a glass container, let the pulp ferment for about a week, then wash and strain seed. Seed can be dried on absorbent tissue, dusted with a copper fungicide then stored in a cool dry place.

Tomatoes For Hobby Farm

Tomatoes are very easy to propagate from stem cuttings. This method can be used to reduce the cost of purchasing seedlings and is also a handy way to extend the growing season by planting a late crop.

Most gardeners are keen to experiment with a range of tomatoes. Check nurseries for successful varieties that would suit your requirements, and talk with neighbours about their favourites. In my vegetable patch I have been experimenting with a dwarf variety of uncertain origin that seems to tolerate less water and still produce good crops. In time I may come up with a hardy and relatively drought tolerant plant.