How to Take Care of Tomato Plants
Tomatoes make great garden plants because aside from adding color to your garden, this type of fruit also proves to be a great ingredient for many household dishes. However, even though tomatoes are common in gardens, taking care of them can be quite difficult. Pests and other diseases than to attack tomatoes, which can definitely ruin them even before you can harvest them. But what are some of the things to do in order to make sure that your tomatoes are well taken care of? Take note of the following tips in making sure that your tomatoes remain healthy:
1. Provide Light
Tomatoes need to have strong sunlight. So, one way to take care of your plants is to make sure that they get the best natural light possible. You may want to place them near a sunny window or area, or you may also want to consider artificial plant lighting as well. If you are going to place them outside, then make sure to place them in the sunniest possible area in your garden.
2. Water Them Regularly
Tomatoes need heat, but they also need to be watered regularly as well. You may want to consider self-watering planters in order to make sure that your tomatoes get enough water daily. Nonetheless, it is important to ensure that the soil of your tomato plants remains moist, but remember not to overwater them. Ideally, you would need to water your plants deeply and regularly while the tomato fruit is still developing. Never forget to water and make up for it afterward, since this will only end up rotting your tomato fruits. Make sure your plants get at least an inch of water once a week but make sure you water more during dry spells.
3. Avoiding Pests and Disease
Pests and various insects will love to snack on your tomatoes. Some of the most common pests you should expect are leaf miners, flea beetles, whiteflies, and slugs. You may want to use organic pest control in order to catch these pests before they end up damaging your plants. Using organic pest control won’t compromise your tomato fruits as well. On the other hand, blight, fusarium wilt, and verticillium are also common diseases that can be caught by your tomato plants. In order to avoid the spread of such diseases, make sure not to splash water on your plant’s leaves.
4. Prune Your Tomatoes
It is also important to prune your tomato plants. Pruning includes getting rid of suckers, which are sprouts found between a leaf and stem. If suckers aren’t removed, they will absorb nutrients and take away energy from your growing plant.
5. Allow Space for Your Plant to Grow
If you’re growing tomato seedlings, it is also important to make sure that there is room for your plant to grow and branch out. Do not overcrowd your seedlings, because this will only hinder their growth. It can also stress out your plant, which can lead to various diseases. Once your tomatoes get some leaves, make sure to transfer them into four-inch pots to allow more space for growth.