TomatoSite

Growing Tomatoes

Tomatoes (Lycopersicum lycopersicum) are a tropical species native to Chili and Peru. They are a short-lived perennial but are treated as tender annuals. Tomatoes are normally started indoors or in a greenhouse then moved to the outdoors after all danger of frost has past.

The soil for tomatoes should be well-drained and slightly acidic. A PH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is acceptable. This PH range is acceptable to most garden vegetables and no special soil conditioning is required for tomatoes. The liberal use of compost, well-rotted manure, and other organic matter is advantageous to the plants. Avoid heavy applications of fertilizer, especially before the fruiting stage. Too much nitrogen fertilizer may produce an abundance of foliage at the expense of fruiting.

A location in full sun is best; however, 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight will suffice if necessary.

Mulch applied directly under the plant will conserve moisture during dry periods and will help shield the plant foliage from soil-born diseases like early blight. However, early spring mulching can delay the first harvest because it cools the roots and slows plant growth.

An interesting pictorial timeline of a tomato truss.

Here is a interesting article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture regarding the - effects of extreme temperatures on tomato and pepper plants