When to Plant to Avoid Tomato Growing Problems

Tomatoes are undoubtedly the most popular and probably one of the most used vegetables around the world.  I can’t tell you how many times people ask me each year if I want any tomatoes from their garden.  To counter this problem of having to harvest more tomatoes than you can handle at one time, some people have resorted to staggering the planting season so they can spread out the harvest time.

Depending on where you live, your harvest time could vary greatly because of the length of your particular growing season. Tomato growers may plant a few plants each week from early May and into June in order to harvest gradually from July through September, or even October, depending on the weather conditions and your climate. You’ll know it’s time to start planting when the soil temperature gets close to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the day time temperatures are in the mid-seventies.  To raise the soil temperatures, simply cover your garden with a sheet of black plastic in early April. The sunlight will provide the necessary heat and the plastic will trap the heat in.  If you get your tomato plants planted at the right time, you’ll probably see your first tomatoes beginning to ripen in late July to early August with the real harvest occurring about 2 weeks later.  Tomatoes love warmth so plant them in a location that sees at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.  

If you are fortunate enough to live in a warmer client, such as the southern United States, it is possible to grow tomatoes almost year round.  Not only can you plant your tomato plants during the standard planting time of April through May but you can also have a fall or winter crop by planting some tomato plants in July or August as well.  You will still need to water your tomato plants regularly because they will still be seeing at least 6 hours of sunlight each day on average.

Another problem you will want to avoid is to make sure you plant tomato plant seedlings in your outdoor garden and not the seeds themselves.  Seeds need nurturing and special care that you cannot easily give in an outdoor setting.  Make sure you plant your seedlings about 8 weeks prior to your tomato planting time. Sow the seeds in a covered tray of compost soil and sphagnum peat moss. Keep the soil moist, covered and in the sunlight as much as possible for fastest sprouting. You will need your seedlings to reach a height of at least 6 inches and contain at least 6 leaves before you are ready to transplant to your outdoor garden.  Make sure your soil has been loosened by tilling and is slightly acidic with a pH level of roughly 6 to 8.  Your tomato plants will grow best in a light and aerated, well drained and completely organic soil.

Serious and expert tomato growers are turning more and more to small, portable greenhouses to get the most of their gardening experience.  Greenhouses are especially useful in colder climates where you have to wait longer before any outdoor planting occurs.  These greenhouses certainly are not a necessity but they can be nice. The simple little tip I mentioned earlier of spreading the black plastic over the soil will also help in raising your soil temperature much more quickly, allowing you to get your seedlings planted a little earlier.