How can I grow productive tomato plants?

Question

I quit trying to grow tomatoes a few years ago because, I can grow lovely, tall, healthy looking plants but, no tomatoes? Is there something I can do to grow great tasting tomatoes? I always planted them where they would have full sun all day. Can they grow and produce in shady areas?

Answer 1

Tomatoes grow well under full sun conditions, just orientate the rows from south to north not east to west other wise the fruit from one side would get sunburns. If you grow the tomatoes at open field they get pretty good air pollination you don´t need to do something else. If you over water your plants or over fertilize them (specially with great amount of nitrogen) you push the plant to grow more vegetative rather to start to set fruit. When you see that the first flower set opens change the fertilization program to one N-P-K relation with less nitrogen and more potassium (e.g. from a 6-6-6 at the beginning to a 5-3-8) and don´t over water them. You should find the rigth planting dates from your area because if your plant the too early or too late by the time the first set blooms and the weather is not right those flowers will drop and the plant is going to get more vegetative also.

Answer 2

I have found that it is best to buy plants at a well established garden supply store and ask for plants that do good in your area and plant more than one variety. One year I bought all my plants at a chain store that sells every thing and bought all one type of plant. I did not get a single tomato that year,but had good looking plants. Now that I am getting older and lazy (Don't like to pull weeds) I till the ground and place landscape fabric over the soil, cut out where I want to place the plant and then cover with mulch. I have plenty of tomatoes every year. I have been using a little fertilizer around the plant but not touching as I plant. They will not grow in full shade but in my area I plant them where the afternoon sun does not hit them.

Answer 3

Choose the right site and prepare it well. The right site can make all the difference in how your tomatoes perform. Your site needs to be a sunny (about six to eight hours of sun per day), well-drained spot where tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes haven't grown for a year or so. The soil should be deeply worked, rich, fertile and loamy. If it is not, work in about one inch of compost. Do not add too much nitrogen to the soil because excessive nitrogen can cause the foliage to grow too fast. This will make your tomatoes less productive and more susceptible to pest and disease problems.

For more information check this out at http://growownfood.net/

Answer 4

A FEW GOOD TIPS- NEVER WATER IN AFTERNOON OR EVENING, USE STRAIGHT PHOSPHOROUS AND POTASH, NO NITROGEN, MOST GARDEN CENTERS WILL HAVE THIS. YOUR NUMBERS SHOULD BE SOMETHING IN THE NATURE OF 0-15-10. DONT USE JOBE STICKS THEY ARE A BIG WASTE OF MONEY. NEVER WATER WITH A HARD SPRAY AS THIS COULD DAMAGE BLOOMS. NEVER USE INSECTICIDES DURING BLOOM TIME. AND THE LAST TIME YOU FERTILIZE SHOULD BE IS THE FIRST DAY YOU SEE YOUR FIRST TINY TOMATO. DO NO MORE FERTILIZERS AFTER THAT. DO A SIMPLE, CHEAP, SOIL TEST WHERE YOU PLANT YOUR TOMATOS. MAKE SURE THE SOIL IS THE RIGHT ACID LEVEL. MANY TOMATOS WILL TOLERATE SEMI SHADE.

Answer 5

they need to have some shade after a long hot day!but not all shade,because they need the sun to turn them red!try using a miracle grow feeder that hhoks up to a hose!with of course the miracle grow that goes in them!your tomatoes will grow like crazy!also if they are nor getting pollinated enough try shaking the vigorously!tomatoes can be wind pollinated,or shaken pollinated,the only other vegetable you can do this with is corn.,they are the only two wind pollinated veggies.

Answer 6

I heard of this thing called Upside down planters. It sounded like the perfect solution to growing wonderful tomatoes. But those planters are expensive around $20.

Then today I found this website that explains how to make them. Thought you'd enjoy it also.

They even give you ideas on how to grow a great tomatoes.

Answer 7

Click this link. Getting juicy and tasty tomatoes are not impossible. Simply the best site i ever know.

Answer 8

My grandmother always "beat" her plants with a stick, a gentle beating...haha. I like to use homemade compost, I save my patato peelings, things like that, even tea and coffee grounds are GREAT for the garden! Good luck!

Answer 9

Got Bees?
You can try self pollination by taking the flower of one and passing it among all the others very gently

Answer 10

tomato Jobe sticks work great.