It's a common tragedy among home gardeners: rows of tomato plants that only produce a few usable fruits between them. If your tomatoes consistently rot on the vine, fall victim to pests, or just never really develop at all, use these guidelines to reap the tomato harvest of your dreams.
* Choose the right growing conditions. Tomato plants grow best in full sun with well-draining soil (preferably slightly acidic) that's rich in organic matter, like compost. If you can't provide those conditions with an in-ground garden, raised beds and containers may be a better option.
* Select plants for your conditions. The University of New Hampshire recommends that gardeners look for varieties that have been grown successfully in your area. Garden centers or gardening groups are great places to look for guidance.
* Don't neglect watering. Tomatoes are thirsty plants that don't appreciate underwatering. Water about once a day after transplanting. Once plants are established, in-ground tomatoes will need deep watering at least twice a week, while raised beds and containers will need to be fully saturated more often, depending on size. Increase watering frequency with higher temperatures — daily, if necessary.
* Fertilize appropriately. A good general guideline for tomatoes is to use a balanced fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) during the early vegetative phase, then switch to a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus during the flowering phase, like 5-10-10. As the fruit develops, continue feeding plants with either a balanced formula or one that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium (like 5-10-20). Potassium promotes more sugar (and flavor) in the fruit, while too much nitrogen can make the fruit puffy and tasteless. Always fertilize according to package instructions and take care not to over-fertilize.
* Don't neglect calcium and magnesium. Calcium deficiency in tomatoes can cause blossom end rot — the leathery-looking rot that develops near the bottom of tomatoes while they're still on the vine. Insufficient magnesium can cause yellowing, stunted growth, and lower fruit production. Many organic granular fertilizers already contain calcium and magnesium, but water-soluble fertilizers might not. You can supplement your fertilizer with a liquid calcium and magnesium supplement (generally called CalMag) or add natural sources to your soil if necessary. Bone meal provides a slow-release organic source of calcium, while Epsom salts provide magnesium.
