How to Grow Your Own Tomatoes

 tomatoes planting facts

1. Seeds & Soil Preparation

A. SOIL PREPARATION Put ample amount of soil to your chosen pot. Don’t forget to leave about a quarter of an inch or so of empty space in between the surface of the soil and rim of the pot to ensure proper growth. Press the mixture slightly to eliminate stubborn air pockets. Drench the mixture with water so it’s ready to provide the right environment for seeds to germinate.

B. SOW. Drop at least 5 seeds into the pot. Cover them lightly with some soil at least 2-3mm deep or just cover the seeds with the thickness not exceeding its diameter. Water the pot very lightly to ensure good seed–to-mix contact.

C. SEAL & NURTURE. Leaving the pot completely open will allow too much heat as well as allowing moisture to escape, this may cause fewer germination or no germination at all. To prevent this, look for a clear plastic kitchen wrap and spray it with some water. Be sure that the moist side of the plastic will sit above the soil. Go ahead and and secure the plastic (moist side inside) with a rubber band, acting as the pot’s lid. This will help to retain the moisture that the seeds need to germinate properly. Twice daily, remove the wrap and sprinkle the pot with some water especially when it’s hot.

2. Germination & Vegetation 

A. TIME TO UNVEIL THEM. Remove the plastic wrap when the sprouts start to emerge (around 5-8 days after step 1). When you see the first green tendrils (tiny stems) push up through the soil, you can then remove the wrap. Germination is over, now the second stage starts. It’s called vegetative stage. In this stage leaves will form and it will gradually grow. You need to keep the soil moist to aid the growing plant. You may water it very lightly at least two times daily preferably in the morning and late afternoon to maintain its moisture.

B. THINNING. Thin seedlings after they get their second sets of leaves. Pull out the weakest seedlings (Note: perform thinning after the emergence of the true leaves- 4th leaf), for the strongest, healthiest plants you'll want just one seedling per pot. Discard plucked out seedlings or you can try to transplant them into different pots, but you risk damaging the roots of the plant, which can adversely affect its rate of survival. 

3. Hydration, Sun Exposure & Fertilization 

A. HYDRATION & SUN EXPOSURE. Because the potting mix in a pot dries quickly; you will need to water oh so frequently. (Check by sticking your finger into the soil. If it feels dry an inch beneath the surface, it’s time to water.) Keep the soil damp but not soaked. Tomatoes does best in a well drained soil, and should not be subjected to standing water. Tomatoes love the sun! Be sure to place your tomatoes in a site receiving full sun (7 hours or more daily).

B. FERTILIZATION. That frequent watering tends to wash out nutrients from the pot’s soil, as well as some of it was already acquired by the plant so you will need to replenish it with fertilizer. Start to fertilize 14-21 days after  emergence of sprout and every 10 days. Sprinkle at least 5-10 pcs of DURABLOOM Pellets to the soil for its nutrients requirements. You can crush the pellet and sprinkle indirectly around the arugula for faster absorption. It is a must that you water the pot after fertilizer application or apply it before you do your watering.You can also enhance the Arugula development by giving it direct nutrients, dilute ½ teaspoon of DURABLOOM Foliar in 2Litres of water and spray it to the leaves of the plant. This will boost root development and ensure that the plant will utilize all nutrients available in the potting media. You can do this once a week.

4. Protection & Harvesting

A. TRANSPLANTING. When the plant reaches at least 6 inches, it’s now time to transfer it to its new pot. This is VERY important to allow its roots to fully develop. Transfer the plant either to a bigger pot that’s twice the size of your organic coconut pots or plant it in any available open space in your backyard or garden.  

Put tomato cages. Tomato cages are used so that the vines of the tomato have a place to climb and so they have something to latch onto. Some tomatoes may reach 6 feet tall so you better adjust its cage as it grows.

B. HARVESTING. You can harvest your tomatoes when they are still green. You can then let it ripen off the vine. Pick tomatoes often (every 1-to-2 days in some cases) during the peak-growing season to prevent over-ripening on the vine. Tomatoes usually produce flowers within 1 ½ months and bear fruits within 2 ½ - 3 months.

 

 




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