Growing A Healthy Tomato Plant

Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, they are hardy and can take a fair amount of stress without throwing in the towel. However there are definitely measures that we can take to ensure that we have the absolute best results that we can hope to achieve with our tomato garden.

Of these probably the most paramount is going to be the methods we use to fertilize our plants. Not because of potential loss though. Whilst bad fertilization is a problem the plant will usually survive most fertilization mistakes (In fact we are far more likely to do damage to our plants if we get planting, pruning or watering incorrect). No, the reason that we want to get our fertilization right is because of the benefits this brings.

The plain fact of the matter is that good fertilization is really the key to growing fantastic fruits.

Think of it this way... fertilization is simply another way of talking about soil nutrient levels and tomato plants have very definite and understood nutrient requirements. If you get these right then you can get tremendous growth in your tomato plants.

Here of course is something to ponder. And that is... what, exactly, are you looking to achieve with your tomatoes? As far as I am concerned the answer to that question is to get as many large full juicy fruits as I can, for as long as I can, throughout the growing season. I am not after a vast shrubbery of green... I want lots of red (and black, yellow, white and purple) fruits... and I act accordingly when it comes to fertilizing plants.

As tomatoes are a flowering fruit they produce best with a balanced nutrient supply... hence I ensure that they receive a feed of 1-1-1 ratio until they are at second set. I do not feed them high nitrogen dosages at the start as this strategy is better for greenery. From around the time of second set I will start to gradually increase the amount of nitrogen and potassium received as the needs of the plant increases for these nutrients as it grows larger.

Although not quite as important in achieving this end as fertilization, clever pruning can also have a very positive effect on the quantity and quality of your fruits. Essentially your pruning should all be towards focusing the sugar (energy) supply toward the production of fruits. You can achieve this by removing branches and leaves that are not required to maintain the plants growth and health.

So plant your plants in a fine soil, stack them full of the correct nutrients and focus their energy toward producing bountiful fruits and you will enjoy a bumper harvest... Bon Appetit!