Growing Heirloom Tomatoes
 
 
THE 8 MOST IMPORTANT TECHNIQUES FOR GROWING THE BEST TOMATOES!
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Ingredients
  • Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties, passed down from generation to generation. Old-fashioned, misshapen, and ornery, they can be a challenge to grow. However, we are undeterred, for their taste is that of summer.
Instructions
START SEEDS INDOORS
  1. Plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last expected frost.
  2. Harden off 5-7 days before planting outside.
TRANSPLANT
  1. Plant seedlings outside when night temps are above 55 degrees F.
  2. Add a shovelful of compost to the planting hole.
  3. Add a handful of rock phosphate and a ½ cup of wood ashes.
  4. Plant the root ball deep, 4 feet apart in rows 4 feet apart.
  5. Water immediately after planting.
STAKING, CAGING, SPRAWLING, STRINGING
  1. STAKE: 7-8’ posts, prune to 1 leader and tie to stake as plant grows.
  2. CAGE: More but smaller fruit, no pruning. Use reinforcing wire.
  3. SPRAWLING: Spread dry brush or straw under plants to prevent rot and damage.
  4. STRINGING: Set posts every 4’, then basket weave string along row and prune to 2 leaders or make a top cross piece and string at each tomato, pruning to 1 leader.
PRUNING, HILLING, MULCHING
  1. Hill soil up around plant when weeding.
  2. Apply mulch after soil has warmed.
  3. Pinch off side shoots every 7-10 days, as directed under staking.
WATERING
  1. Regular, deep, and even watering is required for best tasting fruit.
  2. Sink juice bottle into ground to get water to lower roots.
  3. Hold back watering when fruits begin to ripen.
FERTILIZING
  1. Make comfrey liquid fertilizer and apply when flowers appear.
DISEASE AND PESTS
  1. Follow all of the above to avoid the plague.
  2. Pinch off any diseased leaves.
  3. Companion plant with basil, marigolds, dill and garlic.
HARVEST
  1. Harvest fruit when fully ripe.
  2. Fruits do not need sun to ripen on the plant.
  3. Before first frost, pull whole plant and hang indoors.
Recipe by The Gardener Cook at https://www.thegardenercook.com/heirloom-tomatoes/