Tomatoes 
The tomato is, by far, the most popular vegetable in the country (even though it really is a fruit!). With the development of new varieties and the rediscovery of many wonderful heirlooms, there's a tomato for every taste. There are many varieties that vary in size from bite-sized cherry tomatoes to hefty tomatoes that weigh as much as 2 pounds. Most tomatoes are well suited for container gardening. In Minnesota, one of the most important considerations is choosing a tomato that will ripen in our short growing season, which is not often longer than 100 days.
Tomato Basics
| Heirloom |
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Varieties that have been around for at least 50 years. |
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Open pollination, the seeds are true to the variety. |
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| Hybrid |
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Varieties that have been developed by crossing two or more parent plants. |
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The seeds will not produce the same variety. |
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| Indeterminate |
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Plants continue to grow and set fruit as long as the weather permits. |
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Indeterminate tomatoes require staking. |
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| Determinate |
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Grow to a predetermined size and produce all their fruit over a short period of time, usually 2-4 weeks. |
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Determinate tomatoes are generally bushes and do not require staking. |
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| Plant Tags |
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All plant tags or seed packets indicate the average number of days from transplant to harvest. |
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All plant tags or seed packets indicate if the tomato is resistant to Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, Tobacco Mosaic, Alternaria (VFNTA). |
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Tips for Growing Tomatoes
| Light |
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Tomatoes require at least 6 hours of full sun daily. |
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| Soil |
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Prefers fertile, well-drained, light soil. |
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| Planting |
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Prepare the garden by removing existing vegetation. |
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Till the soil 6–12" deep. |
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For new gardens, till in organic matter such as peat moss or manure. |
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For a strong plant, plant the tomato 2 or more inches below the soil. |
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| Temperature |
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Tomatoes are very sensitive to cold and cannot tolerate even a light frost. |
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Traditionally Memorial Day weekend is the safe date to plant outdoors. |
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The Wall of Water helps protect from frost with early plantings. |
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| Mulch |
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Provide thin layer of mulch, such as Earth Food. |
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Mulching cools the soil, conserves water and helps with weeds. |
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| Watering |
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After planting, water well. |
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Once established, tomatoes generally require an average 1" of moisture per week. |
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When hand watering, water the soil. Keep moisture away from leaves. |
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| Fertilizer |
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Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as 10–10–10 at the time of planting and then every 4 weeks. |
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| Grooming |
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Stake or cage indeterminate verities. |
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Remove any damaged branches or leaves. |
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Regularly weed the garden; excessive weeds will reduce yield. |
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| Containers |
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Fill the container with potting soil; do not use garden or topsoil. |
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Check moisture daily. |
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Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer once a week. |
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Related Bachman's Information
Bachman's Floral, Gift & Garden Centers
Your local garden expert since 1885.
bachmans.com | ©Bachman's 2012
Select source information provided by the University of Minnesota Extension, www.extension.umn.edu.
Last Updated: May 2012
