Tomatoes are often the first thing that most people grow when they start a vegetable garden, which is ironic seeing as they’re actually fruits, not vegetables. These tangy, sweet, firm, juicy, oxymoronic fruits are absolute perfection.
Us humans may find them delicious, but we’re not the only ones, virtually every pest imaginable also has a craving for tomatoes. As such, tomatoes suffer from more problems than any other crop you might grow.
The most important thing when it comes to choosing a tomato with good flavor is that you pick the right variety. You’ll also need to plant them properly and nip any problems at the bud.
Today we’re going to give you an overhead view on everything that you need to know about tomatoes to get yourself a juicy harvest. From ancient hacks to invaluable tips, we’ve got it all for you in this article. What are you waiting for? Get to reading!
1. Enochlophobia
If you start your tomatoes from seeds, you’ll need to ensure that the seedlings have enough room to grow. If you plant your tomatoes in overcrowded spots, it’ll be harder for them to grow. This stunted growth can be stressful for the poor fruit and lead to other health problems down the line.
Keep watch on your crops and wait until your tomato seedlings get their first set of true leaves. Once they get that magical indicator, it’s time to move them into their own four-inch pot. Try to leave a few feet of room between each tomato seedling to ensure that they don’t have to struggle for territory but can instead expand without conflict.
Avoid planting your tomato seeds at the end of fall as they might not make it through the harshness of the winter. Tomatoes, under the right conditions, can survive the winter, but only after they’re already established.