did you know?

Tomatoes were introduced to Europe in the sixteenth century; they were called "love apples" and grown as shrubs. The Spanish and Italians ate them, but Northern Europeans believed they were poisonous and grew them only as ornamentals.

general maintenance:

Pinch off first flowers that appear to allow seedlings to establish themselves before fruit production. Pinch off suckers that grow in notches between main and horizontal stems. Tomatoes benefit from support; cage or stake plants to lift fruit off ground. Install supports at transplant time or soon after to avoid root damage later. Mulch to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

pests/diseases:

Tomato hornworms, Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, anthracnose, bacterial leaf spot, and bacterial wilt may occur. Stress-related tan scarring and cracking on fruits may result from uneven watering.

controls:

Handpick and destroy hornworms and beetles. Rotate crops to reduce soil-borne diseases. Choose disease-resistant cultivars if possible.

how to sow/plant:

Start indoors 4?6 weeks before last frost; sow in flats, 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. When first true leaves appear, transplant to 4-inch pots. Harden off and set outdoors 1 week after last frost, in soil amended with well-rotted manure or compost. Plant every 24 inches in rows 30 inches apart if trellised or every 30 inches in rows 36 inches apart if sprawling. To encourage rooting and strong plants, set seedlings deeply, leaving at least top 4 sets of leaves exposed.

water and fertilize:

Keep soil evenly moist, supplying 1 to 2 inches of water per week. To ensure good fruit set, spray plants with compost tea every few weeks.

garden hint:

About a month before the first expected frost, pinch off new blossoms to promote the maturation of any remaining fruit before the end of the season.

features:

garden uses:

• Climbing (tall, vigorous vines should be staked or caged)

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (use in salads)