Tomatoes are a quintessential crop for gardeners, prized for their versatility, flavor, and the satisfaction of growing them yourself. If you’ve recently purchased organic tomato starts and are ready to transplant them, this guide will walk you through everything from location selection to staking methods, with an emphasis on organic practices.
1. Choosing the Right Location
Tomatoes thrive in sunny, warm environments. When selecting a location:
- Sunlight: Ensure your plants will receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Positioning plants near a south-facing wall or fence can provide additional warmth and protection.
- Protection: Choose a spot with some protection from strong winds to prevent damage to young plants.
- Airflow: Good air circulation reduces the risk of fungal diseases, so avoid overcrowding plants. Keep at least 24 inches of space between rows.
2. Preparing the Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful tomato crop. Follow these steps for optimal results:
- Test Your Soil: Use an organic soil test kit to check pH and nutrient levels. Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
- Amendments: Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure. Consider incorporating green manure or cover crops during the off-season to enrich the soil.
- Drainage: Tomatoes dislike waterlogged roots. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds or adding organic matter to improve drainage.
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid touching the mulch to the plant stem to prevent rot.
3. Understanding Determinate vs. Indeterminate Varieties
Before planting, it’s essential to know the type of tomatoes you’re growing:
- Determinate Tomatoes:
- Grow to a fixed height and set all their fruit at once.
- Ideal for small spaces, containers, or gardeners looking to harvest in one batch.
- Excellent for canning or making sauces due to the concentrated harvest.
- Example varieties: ‘Roma’, ‘Celebrity’.
- Indeterminate Tomatoes:
- Continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season.
- Require more staking or trellising but yield larger harvests over time.
- Great for fresh eating due to ongoing fruit production.
- Example varieties: ‘Brandywine’, ‘Sun Gold’.
4. Transplanting Tomato Starts
Handle your transplants with care to give them the best start:
- Timing: Wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
- Hardening Off: Gradually acclimate starts to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours daily over a week.
- Planting Depth: Plant tomatoes deeper than they were in their nursery pots, burying two-thirds of the stem. This encourages a stronger root system by allowing roots to grow from the buried stem.
- Spacing:
- Determinate: 18-24 inches apart.
- Indeterminate: 24-36 inches apart.
5. Fertilizing Organically
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization:
- Before Planting: Mix an organic, slow-release fertilizer like Espoma Tomato-tone into the planting hole.
- During Growth:
- Apply a diluted liquid organic fertilizer (such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract) every 2-3 weeks.
- Side-dress with compost mid-season to provide an extra nutrient boost.
- Tip: Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.
6. Supporting Your Plants: Staking, Cages, or Trellises
Supporting your tomato plants keeps fruit off the ground, improves air circulation, and makes harvesting easier:
- Staking:
- Drive a sturdy wooden or metal stake 6-8 feet tall into the ground next to each plant.
- Secure stems to the stake using soft ties or strips of cloth, leaving room for the plant to grow.
- Cages:
- Use heavy-duty tomato cages designed for larger plants.
- Position the cage around the plant immediately after transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots later.
- Cages are ideal for determinate varieties due to their compact growth habit.
- Trellises:
- Best for indeterminate varieties.
- Install a vertical trellis or weave plants through a string trellis system as they grow.
7. Watering Practices
Consistent watering is critical for healthy tomatoes:
- Frequency: Water deeply 1-2 times per week, depending on weather and soil conditions. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, which can promote weak roots.
- Time of Day: Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of disease.
- Drip Irrigation: Consider using an organic drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots.
- Mulching: Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keeps the soil temperature consistent.
8. Managing Pests and Diseases Organically
Prevention is the best strategy for pest and disease control:
- Crop Rotation: Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot as nightshades (peppers, potatoes, eggplants) for at least three years.
- Companion Planting:
- Marigolds deter nematodes and aphids.
- Basil and borage improve tomato health and flavor while repelling harmful insects.
- Organic Sprays:
- Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
- Apply copper fungicide for early signs of blight, but do so sparingly to avoid soil buildup.
- Manual Inspection: Check plants regularly for pests like tomato hornworms and remove them by hand.
9. Harvesting and Beyond
Enjoy the fruits of your labor with these tips:
- Ripeness: Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
- Storage: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for optimal flavor. Refrigerate only if the tomatoes are overripe and you need to extend their shelf life.
- Preservation: Excess tomatoes can be canned, frozen, or dried for long-term storage. Sun-dried tomatoes are an excellent option for preserving flavor.
Conclusion
Growing tomatoes organically can be a deeply rewarding experience, yielding delicious fruit while nurturing the environment. By following these steps, you can ensure a bountiful harvest and healthy plants. Happy gardening!
