Growing tomatoes can be a rewarding experience, but sometimes some common mistakes can compromise your harvest. Let’s find out together how to avoid them and obtain healthy and delicious tomatoes!
Growing tomatoes can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, but there are numerous common mistakes that can compromise the quality of your crop.
Many times, a disappointing harvest could be avoided by following some simple precautions. Here is a practical guide to avoid falling into the most frequent problems in growing tomatoes.
Choosing the wrong variety
One of the most critical decisions when growing tomatoes is choosing the right variety.
There are numerous varieties of tomatoeseach with its own characteristics in terms of size, shape, color and use.
Some varieties are more suitable for salads, others for cooking or sauces. Informing yourself thoroughly by reading books, seed catalogs or consulting other growers can make a difference.
Be sure to choose a variety that suits your local conditions and intended type of cultivation.
Planting too early
Planting tomatoes outside too early can cause them to suffer damage from late frosts. Tomatoes love heat and they require a soil temperature of around 15°C.
Transplant the seeds outside only when the risk of frost is completely eliminated. Check the weather forecast frequently and don’t let impatience compromise your harvest.
Not planting deep enough
Tomatoes have need to be planted deeply, up to the first set of leaves. Planting too much surface is a common mistake among beginners.
These plants develop adventitious roots along the buried portion of the stem, which helps to better stabilize the plant and improve the uptake of nutrients and water.
Irregular watering
Watering is crucial to the health of tomato plants. Irregular watering can cause cracks in tomatoes or lead to blossom end rot.
Tomatoes prefer aconstant humidity; aim to provide approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Watering the soil and not the leaves also helps prevent fungal diseases.
Planting in the wrong place
Tomatoes need lots of sunlight, ideally eight hours a day. If you don’t have a greenhouse, find a sheltered, sunny spot.
Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot each year to prevent soil-borne diseases. Follow a crop rotation to ensure robust, healthy plants.
Advise: Planting along a south-facing wall may be an ideal choice, as the wall will release heat and provide natural protection.
Do not fertilize
Tomatoes are hungry plants and need fertilizers to produce a good crop. Use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer when the first flowers appear.
This element helps in the flowering and fruiting process. An example of liquid fertilizer for tomatoes can be easily found on the market.
Not providing adequate supports
Tomato plants need supports such as sticks, stakes or cages to keep the fruit off the ground and prevent problems such as diseases and parasite infestations.
Install supports at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.
Do not prune
Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes require constant pruning to promote fruiting.
Removing side shoots and shoots allows the plant to focus its energy on producing fruit rather than growing new branches.
This also makes harvesting and watering easier.
By following these simple tips, you can avoid many of the common mistakes in growing tomatoes and enjoy a plentiful and healthy harvest. Happy growing!
