It is not uncommon to have tomato growing problems after you have planted those beautiful little seedlings.

While we try to do everything possible to prevent it, things do happen. Sometimes beyond our control such as storms, winds and extra hot days and nights. So as we cannot change the weather yet, let's do the best we can..

Before you plant :

• Decide which local Variety and Type of plant you want-- Types would be Determinate-a compact type, Indeterminate- the one that grows all season and must be staked. There are 2 lesser known Types called Semi Determinate and Dwarf Determinant.. Varieties would be the best Hybrid you can find that grows well in your local area.
• Pick Strong Plants --Plants should be healthy looking without spots or holes in the leaves and without tomatoes already on them..
• Is Your Soil Ready? Do you know if it needs a pH adjustment? If not pick up a test kit at the garden center. Add whats necessary and till it up adding in your compost and or manure(dried if in the spring). Rake it out and form your Raised Beds if you use them. The Raised Beds will give better drainage and will warm up quicker in the spring.
• Is the Temperature Ready? Please do not rush the season.Wait for it to warm up so the nights are not below 55F. Tomatoes love the heat. If you plant too early they will suffer. If you wait they will thank you.
• Plant them deep-- Tomatoes can root all along the stem. So remove the bottom set of leaves and plant them deep. They can be planted sideways to root the stem better.

After you Plant:

Water them well--If your garden is large don't wait to water until you have planted all of your plants. Do a few at a time. Water heavy and once or twice a day for the 1st week to make sure the soil is moist about an inch down. After that once a day and then check the soil to see how often you need to water. The moisture is necessary so that the plant can get its minerals from the soil and prevents many growing problems.

Stake or Cage Right Away--Depending upon which type of plant you selected Support them right away to prevent damage to the roots. As the plants grow, the support will keep them off of the ground and keep the leaves drier to help prevent fungus and insects from attacking the plant that way.

Remove the Suckers-- The sucker is an extra branch that grows between an existing branch and the stem. The different types of tomatoes are treated differently.. Determinate-remove only bottom 1 or 2 above the 1st flowers.They do not have to be removed at all as that will cut down on production but tomatoes may be larger. Indeterminate-you can remove more as the plant continues to grow or you can leave them to get more tomatoes. Extra stems can be treated the same way.

You should be able to prevent most Tomato growing problems by using these methods.

Good luck with your tomatoes.

-