| Tending a garden is a favorite hobby for many | | | | in automation, the good old garden hose will do. |
| people, not only for the relaxation, but for the tasty | | | | 5. Add fertilizer or compost to keep your soil moist |
| harvest in due season. Tomatoes are a versatile plant | | | | for maximum water intake to the plant. However, if |
| with many varieties to sample and are one of the | | | | you have just transplanted your tomatoes, give |
| easiest garden treats to grow. Whether you opt for | | | | them two weeks to settle in before adding a mulch. |
| starting your plants from scratch with the seedlings | | | | 6. Estimate your garden space and choose between |
| or buying your plants in a semi mature stage, tomato | | | | the determinate and indeterminate tomato vines. The |
| gardens don't ask for much: just a little sunlight, | | | | former grows to a fixed length and works well with |
| water and TLC. And to help you get started and give | | | | smaller spaces, and the latter will continue to spread |
| your plants a boost, try these 10 easy tips to help | | | | beyond the boundaries you have set for your |
| your garden thrive. | | | | garden. |
| 1. To increase your garden results, choose locally | | | | 7. When planting seedlings, be sure to leave ample |
| approved varieties of tomatoes that contain VFN on | | | | room for the tomatoes to grow. Cramped quarters |
| the package. This variety helps to protect your vines | | | | will cause some of the vines to choke and block the |
| from major plant diseases and nematodes. | | | | mandatory sunlight for others to thrive. |
| 2. Plant your tomatoes in the sunlight and avoid fully | | | | 8. Prune the under lying leaves away, especially the |
| or partially shaded areas. Outdoor lighting is the best, | | | | discolored ones that are showing signs of disease. |
| however, indoor plants do well will special horticultural | | | | Infections will spread quickly and can destroy the bulk |
| lighting systems installed over head, directly striking | | | | of your harvest. In addition, to protect the healthy |
| the plants. | | | | vine, its best to use clippers rather than plucking the |
| 3. Use stakes or caging to keep your tomatoes off | | | | dead leaves. |
| the ground. In addition, tomatoes planted in windy | | | | 9. When transplanting a tomato, be sure to submerge |
| climates may need to have a windbreak shield to | | | | the plant three quarters into the ground. The depth |
| guard them from high speed gusts. If you are using a | | | | will allow the plant to adapt quickly to its new |
| cage, attach the windbreak to keep the container in | | | | environment and sprout its new roots. |
| an upright postion. | | | | 10. Plant your tomatoes after the last cold snap of |
| 4. Keep your tomato plants well hydrated, especially | | | | the year. Frost can do great damage to any young |
| in hot water. Every tomato could use a good soaking | | | | plant, and the tomatoes are highly susceptible. If your |
| on a regular basis. Home kits for drip irrigation are | | | | tomatoes were planted in the spring, you should be |
| easy to install or choose a soaker hose for a deep | | | | able to harvest from the same vines for the entire |
| hydration of the soil. And if you choose not to invest | | | | season. |