Pruning Tomato Plants
Pruning Tomato Plants involves regular inspection of your growing plants as they can sprout rapidly and develop quickly depleting the plant of vital nutrients for the developing fruits They have a crafty way of suddenly sprouting when you weren’t looking and often even if you have been looking out for them. It is quite easy to let the plant sprout side shoots but you will end up with lots of leaves, flowers and very few fruit of any size. Pinching out these shoots is very effective, or if you have found a long one which has been sneekily growing at the back you may need a sharp knife to remove it . You do not want to try pinching these out or snapping them as you may damage the main body of the plant.
Plants shoot/ Sucker removal
One of the great things about growing the tomato bush varieties is that you will not need to pinch out any of the side shoots as the plant tends to remain low 3- 4ft in height and compact and does not need controlling
On the other hand the cordon varieties can go mad 7ft in height, at least as long as they are growing upwards they produce as many side shoots as they can and all they have on them are leaves! So you can afford to trim some of these lower leaves off you need enough to offer shade to the developing tomatoes. Pruning tomato plants is not an exact science some people will cut back leaves really hard, leaving only a couple on the plant and the ripening fruit, believing that the fruit will get all the nutrients rather than the excess leaves.I personally find this method quite severe but do feel that leaves below the lowest truss can be removed without damaging the plant.
Staking Tomato plants
There are many different products on the market as support structures for tomatoes, metal, wooden, bamboo and plastic and if you are growing them in a green house you can always attached wire or string to the structure and train the tomatoes to grow up that.
Tomato Plant Trusses
How many trusses you have on each plant depends on the type of tomatoes you are growing, usually it can be between 5 and 7.
The more trusses you have the smaller the fruits will be so limiting yourself will produce a stronger crop.
Mulching Tomatoes
This is a protective layer which is placed over soil to enhance conditionsIf you are planting your tomatoes outside in your vegetable patch or allotment mulches are a real asset for successful crops. There are two types the natural organic mulches or the plastic both serve the plants well. The main differences being that the plastic mulch will keep the soil warmed and the organic can have the reverse effect so should only be applied once the soil temperature is around 65F / 18C.
The benefit of placing mulch around your plants is that you will have reduced the amount of weeds around them and also the loss of moisture from the soil.
Watering Tomatoes
Watering enough seems to be a topic often discussed at great length- how often, how much and from the bottom or top or both if feeding.
If your plants are outside you should not need to worry too much about watering especially if you have mulched around the plants. You will probably only have to water them if there is a long drought period. If you have greenhouse tomatoes in pots or in grow bags these will require more of your attention as their watering requirements are dependant on the weather. With pots you will need to apply enough water so that the water runs out of the holes in the bottom. I have found that watering plants in the morning rather than in the evening is better for them.
If you are growing your tomatoes in grow bags or big pots you will need to make sure that they are watered regularly and not allowed to dry out. If you are erratic with watering it may lead to split fruit or blossom end rot.
When to Feed Tomato plants
If you are using grow bags they usually have enough nutrients in the bag for the first six weeks of growth so you can work out when you will need to begin to feeding.
If you are using standard compost in a large pot it is advised that you begin feeding weekly once the first pea sized fruits begin to appear on your plants. You will need to follow the instructions on the packaging as if you over feed that can cause problems as much as under feeding
Organic Tomatoes
Growing Organic Tomatoes can be a challange but the satisfaction and taste is such a reward it’s worth it.
Spring arrives and the harsh winter is finally over,it is time to start planting those organic tomatoes in time for summer. It doesn’t matter if you intent planting hybrid or heritage tomato plants, you should be ready to start as soon as the temperatures are warm and stable enough for the organic tomatoes to thrive. 
So here are my top 7 tips for growing Organic Tomatoes
1. Weather conditions for Tomatoes :
Keep an eye on the temperature which in this day and age is simple. Either go online and get an up to date reading or I use my iPod and have downloaded an app to do this. Make sure you don’t plant out your tomato plants until the temperatures are above 10 degrees
2. Temperature of the Soil:
Make sure your soil is above 12 degrees before planting out your seedlings. I don’t often plant my tomatoes before May in the UK as we can often suffer a late frost
3. Warming the soil:
If you want to speed up the process of warming the soil then you can cover your beds with clear or black plastic about a week before planting
4. Separate your Organic Tomato plants:
Organic Tomatoes like to be about 3 feet apart allowing the roots to spread out and make sure you plant your tomato plant in a deep enough hole. If they are a bit leggy don’t forget you can bury them deep to encourage good strong stems.
5. Feeding & Watering Tomatoes:
Put a cup of organic fertiliser such as bone meal before you plant in your carefully prepared soil. Giving the soil a good soaking before planting helps with root expansion. Organic tomatoes need the same love and care as other tomatoes and regular feeding with a good comfrey fertilizer.
7. Pest & Insect Control for Organic Tomatoes:
To keep pests away companion plant bulbs of garlic around the area as the little critters hate the smell. French Marigolds are good too- Did you know that you can buy ladybugs for your garden. They eat many of the insects that would just love to eat your plants The best tip of all I can give you is have fun growing organic tomatoes. It is undoubtedly harder work but the rewards are justifiable no chemicals in your tomatoes. Enjoy being in the garden, the sun, the sounds of summer and the exercise and you will have a bumper crop of tomatoes this summer.
Quick How To Grow Great Tomatoes Guide
How to Grow Great Tomatoes
If you want to learn how to grow great tomatoes then pick up this great little guide. This 52 page guide comes packed with great information including photos and a set of comprehensive tomato recipes. Download your copy now for only $5.75 
Review: ” This is a great little guide if you want to get started growing tomatoes. There are a lot of piccies and I really like that there are some recipes that use the tomatoes that you grow. Highly recommend this! B. Pirrie” MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - If you don’t find that this guide is not for you, then we will guarantee your money back if you contact us within 14 days!
Tomato Growing Tips
Here are ten tomato growing tips for growing great tomatoes:
- It’s all in the preparation as they say – a good tip is to turn your soil over during January and February. You will be surprised how many pest eggs have been hiding in your soil over the winter and if you expose them to the frosts you hopefully will have less pests during the year.
- Preparation of your soil is important you can go the whole nine yards and test your soil for PH and add chemicals or supplements appropriately or you can add some well rotten compost which usually is just as effective at balancing the soil out
- Mulching your soil is the best way of reducing the weeds around your plants in addition to adding nutrients, keeping the soil warm and retaining moisture
- If you are growing your tomatoes from seed it is a good idea to choose a selection so you have late and an early crop. In addition you can have cherry and plum ones, these are ideal for making sauces which will give you a wonderful crop which will see you through the season
- Seedlings require sunshine and warmth to develop into healthy plants. Leggy seedlings can be planted deeply when planted up as this will enable them to grow stronger stems
- Do not fertilise your plants either too early or too much as you can cause a build up of chemicals in the plants leading to problems with leaves and fruit production. Only begin to add fertiliser after the plant begins to flower and then only one a week
- Diseases can easily affect your plants if they are kept too humid or become infested, know the enemy and be prepared. Companion planting will prevent some pests and is environmentally friendly
- Supporting your tomatoes as they grow is important as tomatoes which are not tend to become damaged leaving fruits trailing on the ground. Using either cages or stakes and strong but gentle ties will prevent damage and ensure a well supported and productive plant
- Watering correctly is always a problem too much can lead to fruiting problems too little can lead to fruiting problems. Try no to let the plants dry out if they are in either pots or grown bags as when you do water them it will just run off
- When thinking of the best tomato growing tips the most practical is probably the storing of your wonderful stock of tomatoes. This is a worthwhile as well as cost effective project. You can easily make sun dried tomatoes and thick rich sauces which you can freeze and use throughout the winter months reminding you of summer and tasting so much better than those bought at your local supermarket
Quick How To Grow Great Tomatoes Guide
How to Grow Great Tomatoes
If you want to learn how to grow great tomatoes then pick up this great little guide.
This 52 page guide comes packed with great information including photos and a set of comprehensive tomato recipes.
Download your copy now for only $5.75
Review: ” This is a great little guide if you want to get started growing tomatoes.
There are a lot of piccies and I really like that there are some recipes that use the tomatoes that you grow.
Highly recommend this! B. Pirrie”
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - If you don’t find that this guide is not for you, then we will guarantee your money back if you contact us within 14 days!