http://www.progressivefarmer.com/farmer/gardens/article/0,24672,1112359,00.html
"Tomatoes are my passion," says Kathy Presley. She grows several varieties on
her land northeast of Atlanta, Ga. You're not alone, Kathy. One reader told
us, "You can't write enough about tomatoes." And you can't grow enough; 35
million gardens will soon be bearing fruit. When we asked for your favorite
growing tips, we got all manner of responses, from beginners to folks who
have been growing for decades.
Start seed. Start tomato seeds indoors seven to eight weeks before planting
time. Standard potting mix is too heavy; use soil mix that has peat moss and
vermiculite instead.
Using grow lights directly above seedbeds instead of natural light will help
keep stems straight. Harden off seedlings for a week or so before
transplanting to the ground for stronger, healthier stems.
"When the days get warm, I put my flats outside from noon to 2 p.m. in a
slightly breezy spot," says Mary Miller, who grows German Pink and other
varieties in Laclade County, Mo. "I increase time outside and amount of wind
until it's time to transplant."
Don't plant too soon. Tomatoes need a consistent soil temperature of 55°F or
higher for healthy transplants. If nighttime temperatures fall below 55°F,
tomato blooms are likely to fall off and pollen can be killed completely.
You might not see the effects of planting too early until vines start bearing
fruit. Catfacing—the streaky, brownish scar tissue often mistaken for disease
—is believed to be caused by cool weather early in the growing season.
Use trench planting. Joe West uses this method in his garden. West and his
wife, Joy, who will be profiled in an upcoming issue of Progressive Farmer,
have a prizewinning garden on their acreage in Joelton, Tenn.
Transplant when stems are about a foot tall. Pull the leaves off the bottom 8
inches or so of the plant, leaving the top two or three groups of leaves. Lay
the plant down horizontally in the row and cover the bottom 8 inches with
dirt.
Carefully turn the top of the plant upward until it's pointing straight out
of the ground, and mound a little dirt around it. "Leaving that much stem
underground develops a strong root system," says West.
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