Growing Tomatoes Basic Edition

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In just minutes you will get a better understanding of how tomatoes grow. 

 The process is simple. We will cover the five basic steps.  

 Start the seed ½ an inch into the dirt. The seed should be in damp soil with high humidity. You’ve now started the germination process. 

Transplant the plant once the roots have outgrown the seed pod. Transfer the seed pod into solo cups or something similar in size. Leave one inch for watering.  Now you are in the vegetative or growing part of the process. 

Once the tomato plant gets 6-8 inches it is too big for the solo cup. It would now be safe to transfer your plant outside or switch to a larger pot. A few take-aways from planting. Plant outside after plant is 8 inches. Tomatoes plants need lots of root space. A potted tomato plant should be in a five-gallon pot or larger before tomato's start to grow.  

 Watering is the hardest part, but we’re going tomatoes so it’s not too difficult. The amount of water depends on the stage the plant is in. As the plant grows the more water it will need. 

After germination, work your way up to two cups a week (Making sure to water from the top of the soil after germination.) 

It’s important to let the top inch or two of the soil dry out before watering again. Adjust your watering amount accordingly. Your plant will grow tomatoes in about 40 days. The perfect pH for tomato plants is 6.4. there is equipment to measure the pH. Basic models range from $5 - $20. Takeaways: Water the soil not the leaves. Let the water seep into the soil. 

Tomatoes allow for a little bit of flexibility. Starting with the light, it's important to give the plant 6 hours or more of direct sunlight. 

Know the high and low temperatures in your area, you can use this temperature range chart.  A safe growing temperature is 65-85 degrees. Temperature below 60 degrees are only good at the end of the season. Temperatures above 85 degrees will dry out the plant  and stunt its growth. The humidity safe zone is 50 to 75 RH. The Perfect humidity it 65 RH. During the germination stage the humidity can be up to 90 RH. There is equipment to measure the RH, basic models range from $ 5 - $20.

Oh, and don’t forget the bees, once you see tomato flowers you could let the insects pollinate the flowers or get a small paint bush and self- pollinate them yourself (I’ve had to do this).  Take-aways: Tomatoes do not like frost. Keep the temperature above 45 degrees to be safe.  

 At this point you can sprinkle some water and cross your fingers or grow a tomato plant that grows fruit: guaranteed. 

Once out of germination tomatoes require some nutrients (plant food) that are two parts nitrogen(N), one-part phosphorus(P) and two parts potassium(K). For flowering it is one-part nitrogen, two parts phosphorus and two parts potassium. 

There are five basic nutrients a tomato plants need’s the N-P-K just mentioned sulfur and magnesium. Parts Per Million (PPM) is the number of minerals/solids in water. You can use a store-bought product and follow the dosing instructions. There is a PPM meter that can be bought commercially between $15 – $20. Combine all of the charts and timelines we went over.  Take-aways: if you are using a commercial brand of nutrients, start out with a ½ dose. 

 There should be no issues at this point but we haven't talked much about Epson salt... bottom rot, which is common for tomatoes is a lack of magnesium and sulfur; both are in Epson salt. Use the Epson salt by adding it to the soil during or after transplanting to the ground (2 tsp in the top two inches of the soil). 
Horned caterpillars when left alone will eat your entire plant. BEWARE of these heavy eaters. Spider mites and Aphids are two other common issues with tomatoes. Spraying water on them is only a temporary solution. Other means are available commercially. 

Take-aways: Avoid harmful soaps and alcohols, over/under watering. Follow the information we went over try to watch the plan daily to notice any changes in color, growth or common issues. Mold can come from humidity and too much watering. Pest can penetrate the tomato skin causing it to become rotten on the vine. Cut off affected areas (if possible).