Tuesday, April 7, 1998

Growing tomatoes easiest for most gardeners

By BRIAN BETHEL / Abilene Reporter-News

Whether you pronounce it ta-may-to or toe-maht-o, a red, ripe tomato is one of the easiest vegetables you can grow.

With the right variety and an appropriate amount of care, it's hard to go wrong with the succulent source of everything from salsa to ketchup, said Master Gardener Fred Perkins.

"Anyone can grow tomatoes," he said. "All you really need is some dirt, some water and some patience."

The process is, admittedly, actually a bit more complicated than that, Perkins said.

But tomatoes rank among the some of the most-grown vegetables for home gardeners, primarily because of their one-two punch of popularity and relatively easy nurturing.

"If you get a good variety, like Celebrity, then you can practically abuse them as much as you want and they'll still produce for you," Perkins said. "... And like anything else, you'll get better at raising them with each season."

HOW DOES YOUR TOMATO GROW?

The tomato is in the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family. There are many other important plants in this grouping, including the potato, the eggplant, peppers and the medicinal plant belladonna.

Tobacco and petunia plants are also considered nightshade family members.

The edible portion of a tomato is actually a berry, Perkins said. Tomatoes are grown in many different soil types, with a deep, loamy soil, well-drained and supplied with organic matter and nutrients, being considered best.

There are probably more tomato varieties available to the home gardener than any other common vegetable, Perkins said.

In addition to Celebrity, Miracle Sweet is another good type for beginners to consider, he said.

"The right variety, especially if you've never grown tomatoes before, can be a big help," Perkins said. "There are many things to consider, including disease resistance. A resistant tomato is, naturally, easier to grow."

Many variety, or cultivar, names are followed by one more letters indicating resistance to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F) or nematodes (N).

STARTING OUT

There are two usual ways to grow tomatoes -- direct from seed, or through transplants.

If you want to do it the hard way, plant seeds six to eight weeks before you transfer your plants outdoors. The seeds may be planted in small pots and growing containers or grown in flats and later transplanted into individual containers.

Cover the seeds with about half an inch of soil. For good germination, keep the soil moist and between 70 and 80 degrees.

After 10 to 14 days, transplant young seedlings into growing containers when the stems have straightened and the first leaves have opened.

Be sure to hold the plant by one of the leaves. Pressure on the stem can cause permanent damage.

"Transplants" are young tomato plants that can be transferred to a prepared plot.

This method is popular among those with insufficient space, lack of time or inadequate environment for starting the plants from seeds.

When purchasing transplants, select those that are sturdy and dark green in color with stems the size of a pencil. The plant should, preferably, not be in bloom.

Leaves should be fully expanded and free of disease.

When the risk of frost is low, the young plants can be transferred to one's outside garden after a two-week period of "hardening." This requires the gardener to move the plants outdoors to a shady, wind-free location.

The plants should be slowly exposed to sunlight for a short period each day.

Once it is time to move them outside, protect the plants with paper or plastic covers if there is a danger of frost.

"Frost is a primary killer of young tomato plants," Perkins said. "If you plant them too early, then there's always that danger. Abilene's the sort of place where we can have snow in April, but usually the first weeks in April are good times to plant them outside."

Tomato plants should be grown in full sun for optimum fruit development and high production. Fertile, well-drained soil is best.

"If you have a good flower bed, they'll grow well there, too," Perkins said. "You can even grow them in pots or in your windowsill. They will grow just about anywhere as long as the soil is good."

TAKING CARE OF YOUR 'BABIES'

One you get your garden growing, then you need to take care of your burgeoning crop.

Weeds compete with tomatoes for sunlight, nutrients and water. In an average garden, they are best controlled with cultivation or with mulches when they are small.

Mulches also reduce water loss and help stabilize soil temperature. Inorganic mulches are available in many garden stores. Organic mulches such as straw, leaves or grass clippings may also be used.

Tomatoes need about one to two inches of water per week. This varies according to temperature, type of soil, rainfall and whether mulch is used.

An even moisture supply is important, especially once your plants begin to bloom.

If the soil becomes too dry, blossom-end rot can be a problem. If too much water is applied, ripening fruit may split.

"Expect a few problems, especially if you have never grown tomatoes before," Perkins said. "Once you get a knack for it, though, you can become quite a grower."

HARVESTING YOUR REWARDS

After all the work of growing them, there's no greater reward than biting into a fresh, juicy tomato from your own garden, Perkins said.

To get the best flavor, make certain your tomatoes are fully ripe. Nearly-mature tomatoes will ripen if stored at 60 at 70 degrees.

Do not place immature tomatoes in the refrigerator as this will prevent ripening and flavor development.

Fully ripe tomatoes may be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks.

"You can expect your plants to start producing about 65 days after you transplant them into your garden," he said. "You can expect really good production from June through the first frost."

In the fall, just before frost or after a light freeze, pick all green tomatoes for pickling or later ripening. remove the stems and discard any damaged or diseased fruit.

Wipe the green tomatoes clean and let dry. Wrap loosely in paper and place on a tray in a cool (not under 50 degrees), unlighted area. Make sure the tomatoes don't touch each other.

When the fruit starts to turn color, remove the wrap and allow to ripen at room temperature.

POPULAR PLANTS

Perkins enjoys growing tomatoes as part of his garden and said that they will always be a popular pick for would-be planters.

"It really is a plant that pretty much anyone can successfully cultivate," he said. "You'll have some great-tasting tomatoes if you are willing to learn how to take care of them properly."

Editors' Note: Much of the above information was presented recently at "Tomatothon," a recent presentation of the local Texas Agricultural Extension Service. The Extension Service regularly holds such educational programs. To find out what is coming up, call (915) 672-6048.