GROWING TOMATOES: TIPS FOR PLANTING AND CARE
Cultivate tomatoes successfully with our comprehensive guide on tomato planting tips. We will explore various tomato varieties and provide essential advice for planting and care. Whether you are growing cooking tomatoes, salad tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes, this guide covers it all. Let’s delve into the world of tomato cultivation.
Tomato / Love Apple (Solanum lycopersicum)
Varieties:
- Cooking Tomato: Takes 5-6 months to grow.
- Salad Tomato: Takes 6 months to grow.
- Cherry Tomato: Takes 6 months to grow.
Planting Time: Suitable for regions with moist, irrigated, and very moist climates.
Soil & Seeds
Soil Types
For successful tomato planting tips, remember that tomatoes can thrive in various soil types, provided they are light, well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.0). Avoid soils contaminated with Bacterial Wilt. Also, it’s advisable not to plant tomatoes successively in the same area where you have previously grown eggplant, chili, bell pepper, potato, or other Solanaceae plants
Soil Preparation
Dig and till the soil to a depth of 30 cm to create a smooth surface without clumps.
Seed Quantity (unshelled pods)
Use 160 to 170 kg per hectare or 65 to 70 kg per acre.
Seed Preparation
Choose seeds from dried pods that are 3 to 6 months old and have been stored in a well-ventilated place. After removing the pods, discard seeds that are discolored, wrinkled, or damaged.
Seed Treatment
Apply Thiram 50 DS at a rate of 3 g per kg of seeds or Tricholife (which contains Trichoderma viride) at a rate of 4 g per kg of seeds.
