![]() Dolomitic limestone also provides calcium and magnesium, which are important elements for the growth and health of the plants. Add lime several months before planting to allow time for it to react with the soil. In the absence of a soil test, apply lime at the rate of 5 pounds per 100 square feet of area. If the pH of the soil is too low, add dolomitic limestone according to the soil recommendations. Soil testing through your local county extension office is the best way to determine the pH. The pH is the general measurement of acidity in the soil. Tomatoes require a soil with a pH in the range of 6.2 to 6.8. Rotted manures, compost, rotted sawdust or other humus can be tilled into the garden site as soon as the soils can be worked in the spring. Tomatoes prefer soil that is well-drained and amended heavily with organic matter. Choose a sunny location that receives at least eight hours of sunlight each day. Tomatoes are warm-season plants that grow best at temperatures of 70 degrees to 80 degrees F and require six to eight hours of sunlight. ![]() Some southern areas of Georgia can also produce a second crop of tomatoes when planted in late July. Tomato plants can be set out in the garden in mid-March to early May after any danger of frost has passed. About a week before transplanting, harden-off indoor grown plants by gradually exposing them to an increasing number of hours of light each day. You may need to use supplemental light if a south-facing sunny window is not available for growing. If starting your own plants from seed, use a light soil mix and give the plants plenty of light. Transplants can also be purchased from a garden center, ready to plant immediately. Tomato plants can be started indoors from seed four to seven weeks before they are to be planted. This publication will discuss the basics of growing tomatoes successfully, as well as avoiding common problems encountered by the home gardener. There is also plenty of discussion among fellow gardeners as to the best varieties and method of growing each type. Tomatoes are considered by many to be the most prized vegetable in the garden. It would be hard to imagine any home garden that did not have at least a few tomato plants. Plants may show symptoms of disease on foliage, but crop remains unaffected.This publication is part of the Home Garden series. Here’s some varieties to try! Click the images to find out more… CRIMSON CRUSHĬordon variety, ideal outdoors. Transfer to growing bags or 30cm (12in) pots if growing indoors, or harden off before planting outdoors in late May. Prick out seedlings individually into (7.5cm) 3in pots, transferring into a 13.5cm (5in) pot as they develop. Cover seeds, water in and germinate at a temperature of 21C (70F) lowering to a growing temperature of 18C (65F). Sow seeds either in modules, 2 per unit or in a 7cm (21/2in) pot in a general-purpose compost. Spread by wind currents, blight spores can be carried on hands and equipment, so hygiene is key and growing resistant varieties boosts success. While early blight in June can be problematic, late blight in July and August quickly shrivels leaves and damages fruit. You can grow these varieties indoors too, although glasshouses offer protection from blight spores landing on foliage. Recent years has seen a few F1 resistant varieties introduced, with two new ones launched this year, ‘Summerlast’, a dwarf patio variety, and ‘Crimson Blush’, a beefsteak variety. While there’s a wealth of tomato varieties available there are far fewer resistant to blight disease, the scourge of gardeners trying to grow tomatoes outdoors. Nothing beats a home-grown, sun-ripened tomato, so to pick those luscious red fruit as early start sowing seed under glass now to April.
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