summertime has go far and the passion is on , and that mean tomato time of year is here !
We count hard on our tomato crop to stock our pantry to enjoy pasta sauce , salsa , tomato juice , ketchup , barbecue sauce and more for the intact class – so mystify the most from every industrial plant is a must.(See : Top OWG Tomato Canning Recipes )
For us , we have found that there are a few “ key ” garden chores during the hot summertime months that can make all the conflict in have a larger harvest from our tomato craw .
Quick Tips To Keep Tomato Plants Healthy
Pick Often – It ’s extremely significant to harvest plant regularly .
When too much garden truck is left on the vine of undetermined varieties – plants will start to slow or stop production of new blossom .
This summit applies to Madagascar pepper and nearly all vegetables as well . Pick on a regular basis , and you will have more to cull !
Pick a Bit Early – Although everyone daydream of plume that dead ripe tomato right field from the vine – do n’t be afraid to pick your tomatoes before they are to the full mature .
The longer a ripening fruit stays on the vine – the more it becomes attractive to pests and disease .
There is nothing more depressing than have the perfect tomato plant constitute – only to follow it go bad on the vine from pests , disease , or rot from staying on the vine too long .
We usually pick our tomatoes when they are a day or two from becoming to the full ripen – and let them finish off on a dry wrack on our back porch .
We created the single-foot out of hardware textile and a few untreated 2 x 4 ’s , and it allows the tomatoes to ripen under a bit more protection . The hardware material allows for good air flow good and lets them mature fully on all side .
Whatever you do – do not put them in the fridge to mature – they will check ripening as soon as they hit those cool temps !
Keep Competing sens at Bay – Weeds are one of the biggest detriment to the overall health of Lycopersicon esculentum plant .
Tomato plants need all of the food and water they can get in the summertime calendar month to keep producing fruit . If your plant are smothered in weed , they are losing those nutrients to the grass .
In addition , those weeds become a large shoes for pests to hang out and multiply .
Last but not least , recollect that if you get this year ’s sens take over and go to seed , they will only multiply next yr ’s trouble . ( see : How to quit Weeds In The Garden )
slay the Damage and Disease – Here is another large one in keep your plants healthy ! tonne
ake a few minute a solar day as you take the air through your garden to absent any branches that have broken off or get to show signs of disease .
In addition , be certain to trim out the bottom ramification to take into account light , water supply and circulation to your plant . Those three affair are priceless in keeping your craw healthy and producing.(See : How and Why To Prune Tomatoes )
Support those ‘ mater ! – If your plants have not been staked or plunk for , now is the meter to make certain they are .
Plants left to urban sprawl around the flat coat are an easy target for all kinds of pests and animals – not to remark it is nearly out of the question to take out any gage without damaging the vines . stake or caging also let for good air stream and better ripening of your crop.(see : Building your own Tomato Supports )
Stop fertilise – This one surprise a few people , but is really crucial to stop any type of heavy fertilizing once summertime sets in .
Too much fertiliser can actually lower your harvest totals as the plant use the nutrient of the fertilizer to create more parting and stems – and less fruit .
Here ’s to a corking tomato craw !
felicitous Gardening ! Jim and Mary
you could also check out our book , raise rowing GardeningandGrowing Simple , now available on Amazon.com
