BEEFSTEAK TOMATO STARTS

Planting in the Garden

1. Site Selection:
   • Choose a location with full sun and rich, moist, organic soil.
   • Avoid planting tomatoes where tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes grew the previous year to prevent disease issues.
2. Soil Preparation:
   • Turn soil to a depth of 8 inches and remove grass, stones, and clumps.
   • Ensure the soil is well-leveled.
3. Plant Spacing:
   • Space tomatoes 30–48 inches apart in rows, with rows 3–4 feet apart. Proper spacing reduces disease risk and improves yield.
4. Planting Instructions:
   • Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball.
   • Loosen the root ball gently to encourage root development.
   • Tomatoes can be planted deeply, burying the stem to the first set of leaves, to encourage strong root growth.
   • Fill the hole with soil and press firmly, leaving a slight depression to hold water.
5. Watering:
   • Water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets and establish good root-to-soil contact.
6. Support:
   • Install supports like cages or stakes immediately after planting. Supported plants produce cleaner, larger fruit and are easier to manage.

Growing Tips

• Weed Control:
  • Keep weeds in check with mulch or regular cultivation to prevent competition for water and nutrients.
• Mulching:
  • Use mulch to retain soil moisture, maintain even soil temperatures, and prevent root damage that can lead to blossom end rot.
• Watering Needs:
  • Tomatoes require 1–2 inches of water weekly. Use drip irrigation or water early in the day to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk.
• Pruning:
  • For staked plants, limit growth to one or two main stems and remove side shoots (suckers).
  • For caged plants, pruning is unnecessary, but removing lower growth improves air circulation and disease prevention.

Pest and Disease Management

• Common Pests:
  • Aphids: Remove with a strong water spray or use natural predators like ladybugs.
  • Tomato Hornworms: Hand-pick or allow parasitic wasps to control naturally.
  • Nematodes: Avoid infested soil and plant resistant varieties.
• Common Diseases:
  • Anthracnose: Prevent with good air circulation and by removing infected plants.
  • Blight (Early/Late): Space plants, remove debris, and avoid overhead watering.
  • Septoria Leaf Spot: Rotate crops and remove infected debris.
  • Wilt Diseases: Rotate crops every 4–5 years and destroy affected plants.
• Fruit Issues:
  • Blossom End Rot: Maintain even soil moisture and avoid root disturbances.
  • Fruit Cracking: Water deeply and mulch to prevent sudden moisture fluctuations.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest tomatoes when fully colored and firm. Regular picking prevents overloading.
• Ripen green tomatoes at room temperature in paper bags or on newspapers.
• Store ripe tomatoes at 50–60°F and avoid refrigeration for the best flavor.

Usage Tips

• Tomatoes are versatile and enhance soups, sauces, stews, chutneys, and more.
• Enjoy fresh in salads or cooked in curries, quiches, or casseroles.
• Remember, tomato foliage is toxic and should not be eaten.