Tomatoes

The tomato, fruit or vegetable? Although technically the tomato is a fruit, some people consider it a vegetable because they grow in the garden along with other vegetables.

There are several varieties of tomatoes so the first tip is to select the type you want to grow. You can start with seeds which require 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) to germinate. You might just want to start with tomato plants to save yourself the time and trouble. When selecting plants, be sure to look for the healthy plants (there will be no yellowing or speckling on the leaves). Tomatoes require a lot of sunlight and these plants are not picky when it comes to soil. Adding compost and manure can be helpful but not on soil that is very wet. Tomatoes grow very well in containers. Watering of course is very important. Regular and even watering can prevent leaf-end roll, blossom end-rot and "cat-facing." You may be able to get away with skimping on amendments and fertilizers, but not watering. Tomatoes will not begin to set fruit until the overnight low is above 55 degree F on a regular basis. The plants should be planted approximately 2 to 3 feet apart from each other or in rows three feet apart with the plants spaced at a foot. Tomatoes should be harvested when they are fully ripe and just starting to soften. When the tomatoes are picked they will need to be stored in a dark, warm area.

Whether you think they are a fruit or a vegetable, they are not really difficult to grow and they are definitely worth the trouble.