After planting, immediately water
the plants, using warm water instead of cold. Cold water can be
a shock to recently transplanted plants and they are more responsive
to a warmer watering. It is necessary to see that your plant receives
water daily, with the morning hours before full sun being the most
beneficial time to water. Ensure that you water the ground, not
the plants or the leaves to prevent fungal diseases from taking
hold. Once the plant reaches a considerable
height of around three feet, start trimming some off some of the
bottom leaves of the plant. These leaves are most susceptible to
fungus, receive the least amount of sun, and will not harm the plant
once removed.
Keep an eye out for aphids which are
common on young tomato plants. Crush them with your fingers, hose
them off or spray some Sevin® on them.
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Around this time you may want to start
thinking of a support system for the growing stem. Tomato cages
are a frequently used method and can be purchased virtually anywhere
that sells garden supplies. A simple wooden stake can also be used
and works just as well as the tomato cage. Ideally, the stake should
be around six to eight feet long and placed in the ground approximately
two inches away from the plant to avoid any damage of the roots.
Secure the stem by loosely knotting some thick string around the
plant and stake, being sure to avoid strangling the stem.
You should start seeing fruit appear
fifty to ninety days after transplanting. They will begin a small
green fruit, and become ripe when they are of average size and a
bright, deep red color. One thing to consider is picking the tomatoes
anytime after they begin changing color. This will prevent any damage
done by insects or disease, and you can monitor more closely their
ripening process just by placing them inside your home on a sunny
windowsill.
When fully ripe, the choice is yours.
You can eat them plain, use them in recipes -- the possibilities
for the tomato really are endless. What is more, you can pride yourself
that by using some simple gardening skills you have produced a rich
fruit that guarantees to taste better than anything you can buy
at your local grocery store, simply because you grew it yourself.
