Tips on How to Grow Tomato Plants

Tomato plants were harvested by the Incas and Aztecs in the eight-century. Andes, in South America, is the homeland of tomato plants. It was introduced in Europe in the 16th century. Initially, it was known by the names Wolf's peach or Peruvian apple. People of ancient UK believed tomatoes to be a sign of danger and evil. Tomato plants belong to the family called nightshade family.

There are many health benefits of tomatoes and they should be included as a part of our daily diet. Studies show tomatoes contain ample amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium. Lycopene, the red pigment is an antioxidant that protects the cells of human body from damage. Consuming tomatoes regularly would reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer in men. Researches also suggest that tomatoes could help the old people to remain active and healthy.

How to Grow Tomato Plants - Tips

Tomato plants are one of the berries that could be cultivated in your vegetable garden. Remember, tomato plants need sufficient sunlight and plenty of moisture. They are sub-tropical plants and the best place to make a tomato patch is near fence or against a wall. Here are a few tips on how to grow tomato plants.

Once you have decided on the patch for cultivating tomato plants, it is necessary to nurture the soil. Tomato plants thrive well in humus rich soil that has ample amounts of potassium. Keep in mind never to add too much of nitrogen fertilizer, because it affects the yield of the plants. Potassium would strengthen the stem of a tomato plant while the humus would help the plant to develop a strong root system. You can enrich the soil with phosphorus by adding homemade compost. Tilling the tomato patch is necessary before you plant the seeds or saplings.

Remember, tomato plants cannot bear extreme heat or cold. Hence you have to sow the tomato seeds when the soil temperature is above 10-degree Celsius. You can also sow the tomato seeds indoors and later transplant them to the tomato patch. It takes around seven weeks for the seeds to germinate and grow into small plants before it is transplanted.

Stakes have to be posted into the ground before transplanting the saplings to the tomato patch. The depth of the stake should be 1-ft deep below the ground. The tomato saplings can be transplanted when they reach a height of 6 inches. The distance between two plants in a tomato patch should be roughly 18 inches. Dig a hole and place each plant carefully in it and cover it with soil. Tighten the soil and then using a soft garden twine loosely tie the stem of the plant to the stake.

The tomato plants should be watered once in two days. However, remember never to waterlog your tomato patch or leave it very dry. Keep the patch free of pests by weeding frequently. Prune the tomato plants by clipping dead and yellow leaves to avoid plant diseases. Replenish the soil with fertilizers such as potash every two weeks.