The growing tomatoes quick reference guide below is designed as a quick overview of growing tomatoes. For more details on the different stages from seed to harvest go to the related pages link.
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Veggie Garden Dairy | |
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Vegetable | Tomato |
Also Known As | |
Botanical | Family - Solanaceae, Genus - Solanum, Species - S. lycopersicum |
Plant Type | Warm season - tender perennial - fruiting vegetable |
Frost Tolerance | Tender |
Planting Position | Grow in full sun - Requires at least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily. |
Seed Viability | 4 years |
Germination | 5-14 days at 60-90 F (16-32 C) |
Growing Temp | 70-95 F (21-35 C) |
Seed to Transplant | 5 - 7 weeks |
Planting Method | Seedling transplants |
When to Plant | Spring |
Time to Plant | Wait until at least 1-2 weeks after the last average 32 F (0 C) freeze in your area but not before soil temperature are consistently 60 F (16 C) or above. |
Seed Sowing | Sow seeds indoors only |
Plant Spacing | Determinates 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in rows 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart. Staked indeterminates 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart in rows 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) apart. Trellised indeterminates 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart in rows 4-6 feet (120-150 cm) apart. |
Soil Conditions | Well drained - High organic matter - Rich fertility |
Fertilizer | High fertilizer needs, 5-6 quarts per 100 sq feet (5.5-6.6 liters per 9.3 square meters) preplanting of All-Purpose 5-5-5 Organic Fertilizer
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When to Fertilize | 2 weeks before planting - use liquid starter fertilizer at time of transplanting - side-dress when the first fruit are set - repeat every 2-3 weeks until the last fruit set. |
Days to Harvest | 60-100 days - depending on conditions and variety. |
Comments |
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