You want to grow the best tomatoes you’ve ever tasted. We get it. And guess what? You can! If you’re looking to take your tomato game up a notch, look no further. We’ve got seven tricks for you to try.
- Start with healthy soil.
- Mulch your plants.
- Water regularly, but not too much.
- Feed your plants regularly.
- Choose the right variety of tomato for your climate and growing conditions.
- Protect your plants from pests and diseases.
- Prune your plants regularly
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Tomato Varieties
Not all tomatoes are created equal. In fact, there are a ton of different tomato varieties out there, and each one has its own unique flavor and texture. So before you start planting, it’s important to do your research and figure out which types will work best for your garden.
That said, there are a few tried-and-true varieties that always seem to produce bumper crops. For example, the traditional red Roma tomato is a great option for those looking for a classic flavor. If you’re after something a little more exotic, try the yellow Indian Stripe tomato, which has a sweet and tangy taste that’s perfect for sandwiches and salads.
No matter which variety you choose, make sure to plant your tomatoes in a spot that gets plenty of sun. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
Preparing the Soil for Maximum Nutrition
You’ll want to start by preparing the soil for your tomatoes. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil to give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive. You can do this by adding compost, well-rotted manure or garden compost.
If your soil is low in nitrogen, you can also add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as too much nitrogen will result in lush foliage but few tomatoes.
Watering and Fertilizing for Healthy, Robust Plants
You’ve probably heard that you should water your plants deeply but less often, rather than shallowly but more frequently. This is because the roots of plants need time to grow down and search for water, and if they’re constantly being disturbed by a sprinkler system or someone coming to water them every day, they’ll never get deep enough.
Tomatoes are no exception to this rule! In fact, they love being watered deeply. A good way to tell if you’re watering them enough is to stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle and see if the soil is wet. If it is, you don’t need to water them yet.
To give your tomatoes an extra boost, you can also add a little bit of fertilizer to the watering can every few weeks. This will help them grow big and strong, and will result in delicious fruit that bursts with flavor.
Properly Staking and Pruning for Bigger Harvests
Trying to figure out how to get bigger and better tomatoes this season? Staking and pruning are two key tricks for bumper harvests.
Start by using stakes and tomato cages early to create the support system for your plants. This will help the plant avoid disease, encourage airflow, and prevent breakage from wind or heavy fruits.
Next, it’s time to prune! Don’t be too intimidated—you don’t need any special tools. All you have to do is remove any leaves or branches that grow close to the ground and snap off lower branches that are touching the soil. Pruning also helps increase airflow in your tomato plants, which reduces disease risk and encourages larger tomato yields!
Maximizing Sunlight for Maximum Fruit Production
Tomatoes need plenty of sunshine to produce their gorgeous fruit, so make sure you pick the best spot in your garden for them. Positioning your tomato plants close to a south-facing wall, or in somewhere that will get maximum direct sunlight throughout the day.
If you can’t get enough sun naturally, consider trying artificial techniques like grow lights or reflective materials. Growing tomatoes in containers and hanging baskets is also a great way to give them the access to plenty of sun – just remember to position them somewhere they’ll still receive shelter from high winds and heavy rain so they don’t become too distressed.
Finally, water your tomato plants early in the morning or later at night when temperatures and evaporation are at their lowest to ensure they’re getting their sunlight fill without having too much water sitting on top of their leaves – because that could cause leaf scorch or other moisture-related diseases.
Controlling Pests and Diseases to Keep Plants Healthy
The sixth and final secret to growing juicy tomatoes is controlling pests and diseases. The good news is that this isn’t as hard as it sounds. As long as you keep your eye out for unusual signs like discolored leaves, spotting, or pigeon droppings on the leaves, then you can take swift action to save your plants.
Start by removing all affected stems, leaves and fruit and disposing of them in a sealed plastic bag. Then give your plants a gentle spray with a commercial pesticide according to the instructions on the label. If you prefer organic methods, some gardeners have had success by spraying plants with neem oil or a mixture of dish soap and water.
Finally, keep up with regular maintenance — like pruning away dead stems and leaves — so that pests don’t have any invitation to join the party! A little regular care can do wonders for preventing disease and ensuring that your tomato harvest is full of flavor.
Harvesting Tomatoes at Peak Flavor
The trick to growing tomatoes that burst with flavor is all in the timing of the harvest. While it’s tempting to pick the first tomatoes of the season that are ready, try and wait until they are ripe and juicy. That will give them time to develop more flavor and sweetness.
To determine when they are just right, try squeezing each tomato gently. Ripe tomatoes will give a bit, so if your tomato is rock-hard, leave it on the vine for a few more days. They will also start to change color from green to red or orange or yellow—depending on their variety—when they are close to being ripe.
You can also taste test. Pick one, cut it open (careful not to cut into any of the other tomatoes) and take a bite. If it has that classic ‘tomato-y’ flavor and a great sweetness, then they are ready to be harvested!
Conclusion
With a little effort, you can easily achieve a great tomato harvest. Just remember to use the tips in this article, and you’ll be well on your way to having a delicious crop of tomatoes to enjoy.