Mays Greenhouse

TomatoesTomato
The recommended time for planting tomatoes in this area is between May 15 and June 10.  Even then, late frosts can still occur, but can be avoided with a protective cover placed over the plants.  Many people prefer to get their tomatoes early and nurture them until time for planting.

     Tomatoes will grow in many soil types, but the best is deep loamy well-drained soil with a pH between 6.2-6.8.  When planting tomatoes, plant them slightly deeper than they were in their containers.  If the tomatoes are tall, they can be planted as deep as the second set of true leaves.  A liquid starter solution may be added before the hole is filled.  After planting, water the tomato plant in thoroughly.  Protect the transplants from the sun for 3-4 days.  Many people use newspaper, buckets or baskets. 

 

When the tomato plants are established, (2-3 weeks) apply a fertilizer low in Nitrogen and high in Phosphorous.  Too much Nitrogen will produce lots of green foliage, but very little fruit.  Fertilize at least once a month thereafter.  (Never fertilize a plant that is wilting or is stressed from lack of moisture.  Water the plant thoroughly, then wait a few hours and then fertilize.)  Keep in mind that Tomatoes need one inch of water per week and slightly more in extreme heat.


Choosing the right Tomato for your needs...

Use the chart below to help you determine which tomato is best for your garden:

VARIETY IND / DET Resistance: SIZE WEIGHT MATURITY QUALITY Good Slicing
Tomato		 Best
 for
Canning		 Good for
Container Growing
 Low
Acid		 Cherry Type Open
Pollinated
Beef Master Indeterminate V1 F1 NA St Extra Large 18-20 oz 80 Beefsteak type, meaty X          
Better Boy Indeterminate VF1 NA St Extra Large 18-20 oz 72 Very productive X          
Better Bush Indeterminate VF1 F2 NA St Large 10-12 oz 68 Dense compact plants X   X      
Big Beef Indeterminate VF1 F2 NTA St Large 10-12 oz 73 Big, smooth & uniform X          
Big Boy Indeterminate   Extra Large 18-20 oz 78 Firm and crack resistant X          
Big Girl Indeterminate V1 F1 Large 16 oz 78 Produces large crop X          
Brandywine Determinate   Large 16 oz 85 Rose-pink fruit,sweet flavor X X       X
Burpee Delicious Indeterminate   Extra Large 18-20 oz 77 Firm and crack resistant X         X
Burpee Early Pick Indeterminate VF1 Medium 8 oz 62 Early bearing X          
Celebrity Determinate VF1 F2 NTA St Medium 6-8 oz 70 Strong stems - crack resistant X X X      
Early Girl Indeterminate VF1 F2 Medium 4-6 oz 59 Earliest slicing tomato X          
Giant Pink Belgium Indeterminate   Extra Large 2 lb 88 Beefsteak type, meaty, low acid X     X    
Golden Jubilee Indeterminate   Medium 6-8 oz 72 Good for slicing, low acid X     X   X
Green Grape Determinate   Grape 1/2 oz 60 Clusters of green to yellow fruit         X X
Husky Gold Indeterminate   Medium 5-7 oz 70 Ripens to a golden fruit X   X X    
Jet Star Indeterminate VF1 Medium 5-7 oz 70 Globe shaped fruit-low acid X     X    
Jolly Indeterminate   Small 1 1/2 oz 80 Sweet flavor with meaty flesh X       X  
Juliet Indeterminate F1 Small 1 oz 60 Oblong fruit with sweet flavor         X  
Keepsake Determinate VF1 F2 NTA St Medium 8 oz 70 Long shelf life X   X     X
Lemon Boy Indeterminate VF1 NA Medium 5-7 oz 72 Heavy yields compared to other yellow varieties X     X    
Mr. Stripey Indeterminate   Large 10-12 oz 80 Yellow fruit with red streaks X     X   X
Patio Determinate F1 A St Medium 4-6 oz 70 Sturdy dwarf plants X   X      
Pink Girl Indeterminate V1 ASt Medium 6-8 oz 76 Mild, sweet, low in acid X     X    
Red Grape Indeterminate   Grape 1/2 oz 60 Clusters of sweet red fruit         X X
Roma Determinate   Small 2 oz 76 Italian type with heavy yields   X       X
Rutgers Determinate VF1 A Medium 4-6 oz 74 Firm globe-shaped fruit   X       X
Sun Sugar Indeterminate   Cherry 1/2 oz 62 Fruit is golden yellow, high in Vit. A       X X  
Super Sonic Indeterminate V F Medium 8 oz 70 Meaty fruit low in acid X     X    
Super Steak Indeterminate V F N Extra Large 2 lb 80 Beefsteak type, meaty X          
Sweet 100 Indeterminate VF1 Cherry 1/2 oz 65 Fruit is sweet and rich in vitamin C         X  
Sweet Baby Girl Indeterminate   Cherry 3/4 oz 65 High yields of red fruit         X  
Tomatillo Determinate   Small 2 oz 60 Use in southwestern cooking   X       X
Yellow Pear Indeterminate   Cherry 1 oz 75 Pear shaped yellow fruit       X X X

Resistance Legend:

V-( Verticillium) lower leave turn yellow, dry and then fall.  Tips of leaves
. curl upward, but remain green.  When stem is sliced lengthwise about 1/8” from the soil line
it appears to have a tan color.  SOLUTION there is no chemical control available.  Destroy infected plants promptly.  Verticillium can be removed from the soil only by fumigation techniques.  However the best solution is usually to raise plants that are resistant to this wilt disease.
T-(Tobacco Mosaic) leaves are mottled light and dark green, curled, and
deformed. Plants are stunted. Fruit is mottled and deformed, with a rough texture and a poor taste. SOLUTION again there is no treatment for this disease.  Selecting resistant varieties and
DO NOT SMOKE  and wash hands before working in the garden.


















 
F-(Fusarium) lower leaves yellow, wilt and die. Then upper shouts wilt, and eventually the whole plant dies and eventually the whole plant dies.  Wilting usually occurs first on
one side and then the other.  When the lower stem near the soil is sliced lengthwise it will be
dark brown.  SOLUTION there is no chemical control available.  Destroy infected plants promptly.  Verticillium can be removed from the soil only by fumigation techniques.  However the best solution is usually to raise plants that are resistant to this wilt disease.

A-(Alternaria Leaf Spot) These leaf spots are circular or irregular in outline and have concentric lines in a ring pattern within them. These spots usually have a yellow halo surrounding them.  Fruits have spots on the stem end and are dark and sunken with a line pattern.  SOLUTION:  Grow tomatoes in a different
location in the garden each year.Remove the lower leaves after
the first cluster of fruit has set.Turn under all plant debris in fall.
Bonide Fung-onil is effective against this disease. Always follow label instructions.


















F1 F2-(Race 1 & Race 2 Fusarium) symptoms and solution are the same as Fusarium.





L-(Septoria Leaf Spot) These leaf spots are circular, brown to greyish, and often have tiny black dots in them.  They do not cause fruit spots, but can reduce the weight and quality of the fruit. SOLUTION:  Avoid overhead watering and watering late in the day.  Bonide Fung-onil is effective against this disease.  Always follow label instructions.





















N-(Nematode) plants are stunted, yellow and wilt in hot, dry weather.Round
elongated nodules occur on the roots.SOLUTION no chemicals are available to homeowners
to kill nematodes in planted soil.. However varieties that are resistant to this infestation are suggested.
St-(Stemphylium)These leaf spots are oval or irregular and slightly sunken, severe cases can cause leaf drop.  It is spread by wind.  SOLUTION:  Hand pick and destroy the infected leaves. Keep up plant debris and mulch around plants.  Bonide Fung-onil is effective against this disease. Always follow label instructions.






Glossary:

Determinate:






Determinate tomato varieties grow in a more compact bush form and produce most of their crop at one time.




Indeterminate:






Indeterminate tomato varieties set fruit clusters along a vine stem that continues to grow all season. They will continue to produce fruit, if harvested, throughout the season until first frost.




Open Pollinated:






An open pollinated Tomato plant will grow true to type each year. It produces offspring exactly like the parents.



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