Description
Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
Family: Solanaceae
Spacing: 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) apart in rows spaced 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) apart.
Depth: ¼-½ inch (0.6-1.3 cm)
Sun & Soil Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0-6.8.
Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
Outdoors: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date.
Germination Time: 7-14 days
Companion Planting: Good companion plants for tomatoes include basil, borage, chives, garlic, marigolds, and nasturtiums.
Watering requirements: Water deeply but infrequently, aiming for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week.
Fertilizer requirements: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer at planting time and every 4-6 weeks thereafter.
Pests: Common pests that can affect tomatoes include aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies.
Timing: Tomatoes typically take 70-80 days to mature after transplanting.
Growing: Provide support for the tomato plants, such as stakes or cages, and prune as necessary to maintain good airflow.
Harvest Tips: Tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are firm and fully colored. Avoid picking them when they are still green or underripe.
Season Tolerance: Tomatoes are warm-season crops that do not tolerate frost. They are typically grown as annuals in most areas.
