As gardeners we all know that the best and arguably the only way to eat a tomato is when you grow it yourself. San Joaquin and the Central Valley provide an ideal location for growing delicious tomatoes. We can have garden fresh tomatoes throughout the summer and fall. What is the best way to grow and when is the best time to plant? We have compiled some questions and answers to help you along your tomato growing journey.
Should I sow tomato seeds or plant seedlings?
This is really a matter of preference. If you sow the tomato seeds yourself, you will have access to more varieties and you can control how many you grow as well as the timing of the growth. Buying a tomato plant and transplanting it into your garden is just the fast forward approach, and you’re limited to stock on hand.
When should I plant my tomatoes in Visalia, California?
In Visalia, a good time to plant your tomato transplants or direct sow your seeds are after mid-March. You could still plant transplants up until about July 4th for late season crops, but only plant seeds until late May. If you do decide to grow tomatoes from seed, you can sow them in containers for 1-2 months prior to planting.
Should tomatoes be planted shallow or deep?
Planting your tomato plant deep will help a plant to stand erect and avoid it being too wobbly. If you can bury part of the stem the roots will grow along the stem.
Do my tomato plants need support?
It depends on the amount of space you have and how you intend to harvest them. If you let them grow wild and free they will become like bushes and sprawl on the ground. This can leave them susceptible to bugs and fruit flies. You may find that it can be harder to harvest them, especially in the middle of the plant. If you stake, string, and cage your tomatoes you can keep better control of their growth.
How do you prune tomatoes?
Tomatoes will spread out on the ground if not controlled, so generally you should cut some of the lower stems to keep the plant branches growing up higher and the fruit higher as well. You will find that the plant will be easier to harvest and have better support.
How much space do my tomatoes need?
If you decide to let your plants sprawl, they will need more space, but otherwise, they will need 18 inches between plants. Cherry tomatoes need more space. They require at least 2 feet between plants.
In our next article we will answer a few more questions about watering, harvesting as well as protecting your crops from pesky critters! If you have more questions or would like to pick up your tomato plants stop on by Luis Nursery and check out our stock.
