Growing your Own Tomatoes

Since summer is almost over, don’t give up on growing beautiful tomatoes this winter. Who wouldn’t want a fresh, home grown tomato? Don’t really have a green thumb? Don’t worry, you won’t need one to grow a tomato. To grow winter tomatoes you are going to need at least a 6 inch pot. If you want a lot of tomatoes you can use a larger pot for more plants. Do not exceed two plants per large pot.

If you want tomatoes all winter long you are going to have to plant a new seed every couple of weeks. You want to purchase seeds that are not going to be huge plants. Even though they will not be big plants like the ones in your garden during the summer, you still want to stake them up. Staking tomato plants helps to keep the stalk of the plant sturdy so the plant can bear fruit without snapping off.

You should purchase starter mix to start the seed in. Plant seeds about a quarter of an inch into the soil and water thoroughly. When you see the plant start to bloom, which may take 5 to 10 days, flick the stems. This will ensure that they are pollinated. It is important to turn the plants about every week, so that every side gets sunlight. You want to water your tomato plant thoroughly, but not too often.

Have you ever tasted the difference between store bought tomatoes and home grown? There is no comparison in taste or color. Store bought tomatoes are tasteless because they are picked way too soon. Store bought tomatoes use chemical sprays to keep off bugs and speed up the growth process. When you speed up the process and pick tomatoes too soon you rob them of all the nutrients. So by the time they get to the stores they may look ripe, but they do not taste ripe. So the main benefit of having home grown tomatoes is the taste, no chemicals, and you get all the nutrients. When you pick tomatoes at home they are ready and fresh.

Never eat a tasteless tomato again and enjoy eating fresh home grown tomatoes all year long.