Tomatoes Plant Care:

This morning I am responding to a request from our email on: TOMATO PLANT Care. 10 days ago we discussed on GROWING /planting Tomatoes. So this morning we shall talk about Tomatoes CARE:

* Water generously the first few days.

* Water well throughout the growing season, about 2 inches per week during the summer. Water deeply for a strong root system.

* Water in the early morning. This gives plant the moisture it needs to make it through a hot day. Avoid watering late afternoon or evening.

* Mulch five weeks after transplanting to retain moisture and to control weeds. Mulch also keeps soil from splashing the lower tomato leaves.

* To help tomatoes through periods of drought, find some flat rocks and place one next to each plant. The rocks pull water up from under the ground and keep it from evaporating into the atmosphere.

* Side dress with fertilizer or compost every two weeks starting when tomatoes are about 1 inch in diameter.

* If using stakes, prune plants by pinching off suckers (side stems) so that only a couple of branches are growing from each plant. The suckers grow between the branch and the main stem.

* Tie growing stems to stakes with twine or soft string.

* As the plants grow, trim all the lower leaves off the bottom 12 inches of the stem. Tomorrow's topic will be on PESTS/DISEASES. Till then Yours in the Garden Farm2Markt