Heavy twine or strips of cloth can be used to tie the plants to the stake about every 10 inches vertically as the plants grow. Drive wooden stakes into the ground about 1 foot deep and 4 to 6 inches from the transplants. Staking can be done using commercially available cages or by using 6-foot tall, 1-inch square wooden stakes. This in turn produces higher quality fruit. Although it requires more work initially, staking makes caring for tomatoes easier and keeps the plant’s leaves from contacting the ground and possibly introducing disease. If plants are to be staked or trellised, space them 24 inches apart in rows 4 to 6 feet apart. Pour about 1 pint of starter solution (2 tablespoons of 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer dissolved in 1 gallon of water) around each plant. This can be accomplished by using a starter solution of fertilizer. Give tomatoes a light amount of fertilizer at planting time. Firm the soil around the plants to force out any air pockets. If transplants are in peat pots, it is not necessary to remove the container, but be sure to plant them deep enough so the pot is not exposed to the soil surface, causing the root ball to dry out. Set the transplants down to the first set of true leaves near the soil surface. Tomatoes can develop roots all along their stems so plant them deeply to encourage a strong root system. Select only healthy transplants for planting in the garden. If the pH test comes back normal, but the calcium level is low, apply gypsum at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Dolomitic limestone also provides calcium and magnesium, which are important elements for the growth and health of the plants. Add lime several months before planting to allow time for it to react with the soil. In the absence of a soil test, apply lime at the rate of 5 pounds per 100 square feet of area. If the pH of the soil is too low, add dolomitic limestone according to the soil recommendations. Soil testing through your local county extension office is the best way to determine the pH. The pH is the general measurement of acidity in the soil. Tomatoes require a soil with a pH in the range of 6.2 to 6.8. Rotted manures, compost, rotted sawdust or other humus can be tilled into the garden site as soon as the soils can be worked in the spring. Tomatoes prefer soil that is well-drained and amended heavily with organic matter. Choose a sunny location that receives at least eight hours of sunlight each day. Tomatoes are warm-season plants that grow best at temperatures of 70 degrees to 80 degrees F and require six to eight hours of sunlight. Some southern areas of Georgia can also produce a second crop of tomatoes when planted in late July. Tomato plants can be set out in the garden in mid-March to early May after any danger of frost has passed. About a week before transplanting, harden-off indoor grown plants by gradually exposing them to an increasing number of hours of light each day. You may need to use supplemental light if a south-facing sunny window is not available for growing. If starting your own plants from seed, use a light soil mix and give the plants plenty of light. Transplants can also be purchased from a garden center, ready to plant immediately. Tomato plants can be started indoors from seed four to seven weeks before they are to be planted. This publication will discuss the basics of growing tomatoes successfully, as well as avoiding common problems encountered by the home gardener. There is also plenty of discussion among fellow gardeners as to the best varieties and method of growing each type. Tomatoes are considered by many to be the most prized vegetable in the garden. It would be hard to imagine any home garden that did not have at least a few tomato plants. This publication is part of the Home Garden series.
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