How to Grow the Best Tomatoes
Fertilize Tomatoes with ORGANICS Natural Kelp Liquid Fertilizer
Once you see 2-3 true leaves emerge it is time to fertilize. Mix 1 gallon Liquid Natural Fertilizer and 50 gallons of water per acre. Next, apply this mix as a fine mist to the tops and bottoms of leaves. Use enough solution to wet the leaf surfaces. You should apply in 14-21 day intervals after the plants reach 2-3 true leaves. The critical stages for foliar applications are 2-3 true leaves, pre-bloom and early cluster formation. Rates vary according to other inputs used. Lower dilution rates are more effective than higher dilution rates. Two or three lighter applications may be more effective than one or two heavier applications. If other constraints allow only one application, do not exceed a 3 percent dilution rate (3 gallons organic fertilizers to 97 gallons water). To reduce susceptibility to attack of insects and disease-causing organisms, apply a per-acre mixture of 1 quart Kelp and 35 gallons of water when signs of infestation become apparent.
General Tomato Plant Care
Tomatoes need about two inches of water per week during the hot summer months. However, take care! Too much water can cause ripening tomatoes to split. You can place a flat rock next to each plant to help with moisture retention. As an alternative, top-dress with a 1/2 inch layer of mulch. Make sure you picked a sunny location that is protected from extreme winds. You will want to check your plants at least every other day for signs of disease or pest insects.
Pruning Tomato Plants
There are several reasons to prune. The main thing is that it forces the plant to put more energy into fruit production. Look for new growth shoots that point down to form a “V” with the branch above them. You want to remove these as soon as they appear. In fact, you can even get these to root sometimes and provide you with a new clone to plant. This works our pretty well in the south where we have a longer growing season. Just be sure to stay on top of pruning and to keep your plants supported well. You can purchase a tomato cage or develop some other type of structure to support the growing branches.
Fertilizer for Less
We hope you enjoyed this tomato plant care guide! Now you know how to grow the best tomatoes possible for your area. Let us know if we can provide some more specific information to your unique growing conditions.