Growing tomatoes?

Question

Hi, me and my family have decided to have a competetion amongst ourselves at growing tomatoes. Has anyone got any secret tips of helpful information, so i bag a win?? many thanks

Answer 1

Whats the competition?
Size, taste, early, sweetest, quantity?

For an experiment try some 20-20-20 and some in 4--6-6 or 4-6-8


(growing tomatoes for over 55 years )

Answer 2

There is an old, tried and trusted technique known as Ring culture

Ring culture involves growing your tomato plants in large (22-26cm or 9-10in), bottomless pots that are filled with compost and stood onto a water retaining, though free draining aggregate base.

Just don't tell the opposition our little secret!

Washed builders ballast and sand (80:20mix) makes a good aggregate base.

Although ring culture pots are available, any large (22-25cm or 9- 10in) container with the bottom removed is suitable, providing that it has adequate capacity (6.5kg or 14lbs). On a solid floor, build a retaining wall to hold the 10-15cm (4-6in) of aggregate mix. The ring culture method encourages the development of 2 root systems; fibrous roots in the ring culture pot supply the plant with food, the taproots reaching down into the aggregate take up water.

Gently remove your tomato plants from their pots and place in the centre of the ring culture pot. Add compost and firm around the root ball, leaving 4cm (11/ 2in) to allow for watering. Place on a bench and give each plant 600ml (1 pint) of water. Do not water again for a week, then provide 300ml (1/2 pint) every other day for the next 2 weeks.

After 2 weeks move the pots to their cropping position on the aggregate base, ensuring that there is good contact between the base of the ring and the aggregate. Water the aggregate daily. After 10-14 days check that the roots are pushing down into the aggregate. Once the tomatoes are around cherry size apply tomato feed to the plants 2-4 times weekly. Never allow the roots to dry out but don't let the lower roots stand in water (that's why the technique requires aggregate).

Answer 3

Tomatoes should be grown in full sunlight.
Tomato plants require abundant moisture.
Tomatoes grow well in many types of soil but prefer fertile, well-drained soil with pH of about 6.5.
Garden soil may be improved by adding rotted manure, leaf mold, peat moss, or other organic materials.
The ideal tomato plant should be six to eight inches tall, dark green, with a stocky stem and well-developed root system.
For each family member three to five plants should be grown for fresh eating. If production for canning is desired, then five to 10 plants person needs to be grown.
Plant tomatoes when the weather has warmed and the soil temperature is above 60°F and air temperature is never lower than 45 degrees at night.
Plant seedlings a little deeper than they were in the pots.
Set out tomato plants in the evening or on a cloudy day.
Mulching helps stop weed growth and water loss from the soil. Place a two to three inch layer of organic material such as compost, leaves, straw, grass clippings, hay, newspapers, or black or red plastic sheeting around the growing plants.
Tomatoes can be grown on the ground or supported by stakes or cages. If using stakes put the stake in when planting As the plant grows taller, tie it loosely to the stake every 12 inches with soft fabric or twine.
Tomatoes require at least one inch of water per week during May and June and at least two inches per week during July, August, and September. Water once or twice a week and to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
Space dwarf plants 12 inches apart; staked tomatoes should be 12 to 18 inches apart. Allow 2 to 4 feet between non- staked plants.
Rows should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart for staked plants and 4 to 6 feet apart for non-staked plants.
A 10-20-10 fertilizer should be applied at planting time. Sidedress for the first time when the first fruits are one- third grown. Use about one to two tablespoons per plant. Mix the fertilizer into the soil then water, being careful not to get the fertilizer on the foliage. A second application should be made two weeks after the first ripe fruit and a third application one month later. Water the plants thoroughly after fertilizing. All fertilizers should be worked into the top six inches of soil.

Answer 4

If you can find a sunny, dry location - most people prefer a south side under an overhang. Make sure you water consistently, without letting soil get too dry. Don't get plant wet. Use a fertilizer such as 20-20-20 biweekly, and cut off about 3/4 of the leaves once the plant has grown and started to produce flowers.

Answer 5

There is a new product on the market that allows you to grow them upside down. many people are using the tumbler tomatoes in hanging baskets, etc. As far as i am aware multi purpose compost is just fine. Main benefit is that the tomatoes are not battling gravity to grow upwards

Answer 6

make a mini green house covered with red plasic. tomatoes grow better and ripe faster under the red. then just place the mini green house over your plant.
you could also cover a jar with red plastic or a red bag and place it over the tomatoe.

Answer 7

There is a great e-book available on tomatoes on our website. You will learn more than you thought there was to learn about them.

Check it out at-

http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/tomatoes.html

Answer 8

alot of people just using growing bags and a bamboo stick for it to grow up on.

Answer 9

plenty of well rotted manure should give you a head start
prick out surplus branches keep well watered in sunny position- keep picking toms to produce more

Answer 10

You could go to Sainsbury's buy some beef tomatoes and glue them on your plants.