Description
Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum
Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Spacing: Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart.
Depth: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed starting mix or transplant seedlings to the same depth they were growing in their pots.
Sun & Soil Requirements: Full sun (6-8 hours per day) and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Seeds will germinate in 5-10 days at 75-85°F (24-29°C).
Outdoors: Wait to transplant seedlings outdoors until after the last frost date in your area and when the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F (16°C).
Germination Time: 5-10 days at 75-85°F (24-29°C).
Companion Planting: Companion plants for tomatoes include basil, borage, marigold, parsley, and sage.
Watering Requirements: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid getting water on the leaves as this can promote disease.
Fertilizer Requirements: Use a balanced fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10, or use a fertilizer specifically designed for tomatoes.
Pests: Common pests for tomatoes include aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms.
Timing: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date in your area.
Growing: Provide support for plants as they grow, such as a stake or cage. Pinch off suckers (new growth between the stem and branch) to encourage larger fruit.
Harvest Tips: Harvest fruit when fully ripe and orange-yellow in color. Tomatoes will continue to ripen after being picked.
Season Tolerance: Tomatoes are warm-season crops and do not tolerate frost. The Sun Gold variety produces fruit in mid to late season.
