7 Important Tips for Growing Great Tomatoes

1. Prepare a deep hole. Dig a hole such that the top 4-6 inches of your tomato plant will be above the ground. (Hopefully your plant will be big enough to allow this). Take off all of the side stems that will be underground. This encourages the plant to develop more roots off of the stem that is underground.

2. Fill the hole with water before planting. Let the water soak into the soil so that it is wet and inviting for the roots to explore.

3. Add wood ash. Place a 1/2 cup of wood ash in the bottom of the hole before placing in your plant. Mix it into the soil. This will help prevent" bottom end rot" that can affect tomatoes when they are ripening.

4. Add Mycorrhizal fungi. Place a teaspoon of Mycorrhizal fungi in the hole to help the plant develop "feeder roots" so that it can take up more water and nutrients from the soil. The fungi help the plants resist disease, have more vigor and higher yields... Read More

5. Add fertilizer. Place 1/4 cup of organic fertilizer in the hole and mix it into the soil.

6. Open up the roots of the plant. If the soil is compacted from being in the pot, make a small slit on each side of the plant's root ball or gently break open the roots by hand. This will encourage the plant to explore its new environment. Place the plant in the hole, cover with soil, make a small trench about 6 inches or more around it, depending on the size of the plant, and water well.

7. Do not water your tomatoes from above. Water at the base of the plant. Pinch off leaves that are close to the ground. Splattering water can spread diseases (like the tomato blight) on the leaves. I have found that after the plants are established, I do not need to water them as often. I start with twice a week, but for most of the growing season I water them only once a week -- but slowly and deeply! The plants like having deep roots and a dry surface. When I have pulled up my plants in the Autumn, I have been amazed to see how many thick strong roots have been supporting each plant. A nursery man came to the garden one spring and said that my tomatoes looked like they were on steroids! I had just followed these 7 tips.