Tomatoes are a summertime favorite, and of course, you’ll want to keep your tomatoes healthy while they grow so that you get the best harvest possible! Keep reading to learn how to keep your tomatoes in good shape with this complete care guide to growing tomatoes in the summer.
Treating and Avoiding Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot occurs when tomatoes do not get enough calcium, whether there is an insufficient amount in the soil or if the plant’s roots are damaged. Blossom end rot looks like soggy, rotten bottoms of the fruit; it can affect many summer vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, melons, eggplants, peppers, and cucumbers.
If you notice that your fruit is rotting, cut off the rotten fruit and throw it in the garbage (not compost). Then, give your plants some calcium-enriched fertilizer or mix crushed eggshells into the soil surrounding your plants; this should give your plants a good shot at coming back with another delicious round of fruit. The easiest way to avoid blossom end rot in future crops is to supplement your soil with calcium-based fertilizer regularly.
Fertilizing Through the Season
Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so they’ll need lots of nutrients as they grow! High-phosphorus fertilizer is excellent for promoting healthy root systems in your tomatoes so they can grow quickly. A fertilizer specifically for tomatoes will often include extra calcium to prevent diseases such as blossom end rot.
Too much fertilizer can harm your plants, so it’s important to follow the instructions on your fertilizer formula carefully. If you use too much, your tomatoes will grow too quickly and be leggy and weak. Once your tomato fruits are growing, you can use a light fertilizer every 1–2 weeks.
Consistent Watering
Consistent watering is more important than you might think! When plants have irregular watering schedules, they can get stressed out. Excessive moisture can lead to disease, and unpredictable water uptake can cause split fruit. All things considered, it’s best to water consistently all season!
We recommend making watering part of your regular routine, such as while your morning coffee is brewing. Alternatively, you can use an irrigation system with moisture sensors so that when your soil is dry, it will automatically turn on. Tomato care doesn’t get any easier than that!
Check for Pests
It’s a good idea to inspect your plants regularly for pests—they can do severe damage pretty quickly, so catching them early on is imperative! If your plant is infested, you might notice insect tracks, visible bugs, chewed leaves, or discolored patches. What pests are eating your plants will determine your strategy to deal with them; in general, pick them off if you can, and if you can’t, spray your plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil to eliminate pests and prevent them from coming back.
Prepare for the Harvest
The types of tomatoes you’re growing will inform when you can prepare for a harvest! If you’re growing indeterminate tomatoes, you’re probably already seeing some fruit show up and will continue to harvest for the rest of the season. These varieties are best for use in salads, snacking while you’re gardening, or on burgers. If you’re growing determinate tomatoes, you’ll have one big harvest all at once! These tomatoes are ideal for making preserves, including jams, sauces, pastes, and salsas.
Whichever type of tomatoes you’re growing, the best time to harvest is when the tomatoes are starting to show some color; pick them before the color deepens and let them ripen on your windowsill for the best texture and flavor.
Visit Plant Perfect to see what tomatoes we have for sale today! We’d love to help you set up for a prosperous tomato harvest.