Among the most sought-after plants of spring are tomatoes, the stars of most kitchen gardens. Whether you are a first-time tomato gardener or have had some problems, here are some tips for tomato harvest success.
Best Varieties – Choosing climate-appropriate varieties is a must. To guarantee crop success, be sure to select from medium-sized tomatoes like Champion, Celebrity, Early Girl and Better Boy. Also, any of the smaller varieties like yellow pear, cherry tomatoes, and Sweet 100s perform exceptionally well in the area. Because of cold night temperatures at this altitude, varieties bearing larger tomatoes tend to struggle, but with a bit more TLC it is possible to grow tomatoes the size of your fist.
Composted Mulch – Tomatoes enjoy a rich garden soil that drains well. Be careful not to add too much manure, which has high nitrogen content. Tomato plants in nitrogen-rich soil result in huge vines with little fruit growth. You want to starve tomatoes of nitrogen and give them plenty of phosphorus, the element indicated by the middle of the three numbers shown on a fertilizer bag. Phosphorus helps plants produce more roots and fruits, which is exactly what we want for productive tomato plants.
Nutrition Supplements – Along with compost and mulch, consider turning into the soil some bone meal, 0-10-0, or super phosphate, 0-18-0. These additives encourage larger, better tasting fruits. Gypsum is also recommended to produce superior tomatoes. Gypsum is made of calcium sulfate, which reduces blossom end rot and fruits that split open. Sprinkle a little gypsum in the bottom of the planting hole, cover it with just a little dirt, then top dress with a “Tomato & Vegetable Food.”
Plant Deep – Always plant a tomato as deeply as possible. Tomatoes are one of the few plants that will root from the hairs on the vine. Prune off the side shoots and leaves from the bottom of the plant, 2-6 inches above the root ball. Then plant the vine as deeply as possible, but don’t bury the attached leaves. Roots will begin to grow quickly from up and down the buried stem. This will develop a larger, deeper root structure, which is exactly what a tomato plant needs to contend with the arid months of May and June.
Warm the Soil – Garden soils are cool the first half of May. Warm the soil quickly and protect the plants by surrounding them with Plant Protectors. The water-filled tubes of these protective structures surround new plants and form mini-greenhouses promoting deeper, stronger root formations for this early planting.
Another quick and easy plant protector is the Nuvue Frost & Sun Cover. These spring-loaded mini pop-up greenhouses are made of green frost and shade blanket. Plant the garden and then cover it with these protectors against nightly cool temperatures and early spring bugs.
Either the Plant Protectors or the Nuvue Frost Covers are worthwhile investments, as they are reusable for years. Either of these products will enable you to plant your tomatoes early and expect your harvest a full month ahead of the neighbors!
The Insiders Scoop – My personal vines receive a little extra TLC. Mountain tomatoes are notorious for vigorous green growth without setting blossoms, and when they do produce fruit, the fruits are marked by black spots and blossom end rot. I prevent both with an easy weekly spray regimen. Once per week I spritz vines with alternating sprays of Blossom Set and Bonides Rot Stop. Start this weekly regimen as the first blossom shows on your plant and you will not only have more fruits per vine, but the tastiest tomato that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Yum!
Until next issue, I’ll see you at the garden center. QCBN
Lisa Lain is Arizona’s garden gal.Her garden advice can be heard each week on the “Mountain Garden” radio hour broadcast through KQNA 1130 AM & 99.9 FM, also heard on NPR signals KJAZZ 89.5 FM, KJZP 90.1 FM. Throughout the week Lisa can be found at Watters Garden Center located at 1815 W. Iron Springs Road, Prescott, or contacted through her web site at www.wattersgardencenter.com
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