Page 20 - Robeson Living Summer 2022

By Mack Johnson, Extension Horticultural Agent

Growing Your Best Tomato

Lumberton, N.C. – One of my favorite activities that confirms accurate fertilizer recommendations to optimize your plants’
summer is here is savoring a homegrown, fresh tomato sand- potential. Don’t worry – if you haven’t taken a soil test, there
wich, and, of course, you have to dress it with your favorite are some general guidelines that will help.
mayonnaise! In the south there is only one mayo – if you know,
you know! I know I probably just alienated a couple of you, but A starter solution used at planting ensures appropriate fertiliza-
for many that is a very popular southern pairing. Of course, my tion during early stages of growth. You can mix 3 to 4 table-
specialty is not culinary but horticulture, so I plan to help you spoons of 8-8-8 per gallon of water to make the starter solution.
grow the best tomato you can. This also happens to be one of Do not use more than one cup of starter solution per plant. To-
the most popular fruits folks will grow in their backyard. Yes, mato plants need a continual supply of fertilizer which can be
it is a fruit! Botanically speaking, the seeds are enclosed in the achieved by side dressing each plant with 2 to 3 tablespoons of
flesh that we eat. 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer soon after initial fruit set and every
4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season. Place these 4to 6
Most likely you already have your plants selected and planted inches away from the main stem and working it gently into the
by now. If not, they should be placed 2 to 3 feet apart. To- soil surface helps prevent nutrient loss.
matoes, being the exception to the rule, can be planted deeper
than the original seedling’s soil line. Tomatoes benefit from an Water is definitely one of the most important elements to pro-
extensive root system, and planting deep will encourage more duce great tomatoes. Watering twice a week, providing 1 to 1.5
root development along the buried stem. You can accomplish inches of water is the minimal requirement. Water the rootzone.
this by laying the plant sideways in a trench. Remove bottom Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent some diseases. Watering
leaves on a leggy plant and cover most of the lower stem, leav- in the morning allows any wet foliage to dry before nightfall.
ing the terminal leaf clusters above ground. If you have already Keeping the soil moisture consistent throughout the growing
planted, we can still provide good cultural practices to help you season helps to prevent blossom end rot, a physiological disor-
produce the best tomato possible. der encouraged by uneven watering or soil condition extremes
(either too dry or too wet). A 3-inch layer of mulch on the
Tomatoes love sun and lots of it, so growing them in an area plant’s root system helps retain moisture, cools the rootzone,
with a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight will benefit your and aids in weed control. Many soil diseases are splashed onto
plant, but more is better. Tomatoes thrive in a well-drained soil the foliage by rain or watering. As the plants grow, continue to
that will hold moisture. Amending your soil by working in 2 to remove lower leaves, keeping a buffer between the top of the
3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches will improve both soil and the lowest leaves. Mulching also reduces soil splash-
moisture retention in sandy soils and drainage in clay soils. If ing. Now just sit back (after you have made a trip to the gro-
you planted in the ground, I hope you have taken a soil test. cery store for your condiments) and harvest when ripe. Enjoy!
This test will reveal your soil’s pH - 6.0 to 6.2 is ideal. Adding
lime will raise the pH if it is lower. This test will also give you For more information, contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horti-

Page 20 Robeson Living ~ Summer 2022