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Planting Your Tomatoes
Once you’ve selected your variety and prepared the container, it’s time to plant your tomatoes. If you’re starting from seeds, you’ll need to begin indoors about 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost. You can also buy young tomato plants from a nursery for quicker results.
Steps for planting:
Fill your container with well-draining soil and leave about 2 inches from the top.
Create a hole in the center of the soil, large enough for your tomato plant or seedling.
Plant the seedling or seeds, burying the tomato deeply to encourage strong root growth. If using seedlings, bury them up to the first set of leaves.Ezoic
Water thoroughly and place the container in a sunny spot. Tomatoes need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive.
Watering and Fertilizing
Watering is crucial for tomatoes. They need consistent moisture, but they don’t like sitting in soggy soil. Here’s how to water them properly:
Water deeply: Ensure that the water reaches the roots, not just the surface.Ezoic
Avoid overhead watering: This helps prevent diseases like blight. Water at the base of the plant.
Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t let it dry out completely between waterings.
Fertilizing is also important for tomato plants. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during planting, and continue feeding every 2–3 weeks with a high-potassium fertilizer as the plant matures. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive leaf growth with little fruit production.Supporting Your Plants
As your tomato plants grow, they’ll need support. For indeterminate varieties (vining types), use a tomato cage, trellis, or stakes to keep the plants upright and prevent the vines from sprawling on the ground.
Cages are ideal for supporting the plant as it grows, helping to keep the fruit off the soil and reducing the risk of disease.
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