If you’re a home gardener, then you know there’s nothing like the flavor of homegrown tomatoes! They’re incredibly easy to grow in any garden that’s in a warm, sheltered space.
Sowing
Fill that 3 inch pot with some good compost and sprinkle those tomato seeds lightly over the top. Give a generous soak and put in a warm spot, and soon you’ll be seeing some sprouts. Once they’re big enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots.
When you spot the first truss, they are ready to be planted into their final position. Insert a cane beside the plant and use twine to tie the tomato plant to the cane every 4-6 inches for extra support. This will ensure your plants are safe and stable in their new home.
Care
If you’re not growing a bush type, aim to keep your plant to one stem by nipping off the offshoots at the leaf joints. Once you’ve got 4-5 flower clusters, snip the top to prevent further growth and focus the plant’s energy on producing fruit. Ensure your plant is adequately watered and treated with a fertilizer to help it flourish.
Green Tomatoes
If you suddenly find yourself with a ton of green tomatoes at the end of the growing season, a great way to ripen them up is by placing them in a paper bag with a banana. You can also make green tomato chutney which tastes amazing and will keep until the following year.