Planting Tomatoes Successfully
Transplanting
Tomato plants should be grown in full sun, although some varieties may succeed in areas with only a half day of sun. Space tomato plants at least three to four feet apart. Dig a hole approximately 18 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Combine the removed soil with vegetable planting mix such as Master Nurseryman's Bumper Crop or Paydirt in a 50-50 mixture. Fill the hole one half to three quarters full with the soil mixture. Place 1 to 2 Tbsp. of starter fertilizer, such as Nurseryman's Preplant (2-10-6), in the hole. Mix the fertilizer with the soil mixture. Set the plant in the hole placing the remaining soil mixture around the stem. Place the plant at a depth that allows the soil to cover 2 to 3 inches of the stem. All leaves below the soil should be removed. This particular depth enables the roots to further develop and strengthen the plant. Form a basin for the plant and water thoroughly.

Watering and Feeding
During the first few weeks after transplanting, provide thorough soakings as needed. When the temperatures climb over 80-85 degrees, a daily soaking may be necessary. After the plants are well established, water them thoroughly once a week. Once the plants begin to set fruit, start feeding once a month with Nurseryman's Vegetable Garden Food or Gro-Power. Always apply these fertilizers to moist soil and soak thoroughly after application.

Growth Habit and Staking
Tomato plants exhibit three different growth habits: determinate, dwarf indeterminate, and indeterminate. Determinate plants are "bush shaped," and therefore do well in containers and tomato cages. Determinate plants will yield their entire crop at one time.

Dwarf indeterminate plants tend to be short, with foliage that does well in preventing sun- burned tomatoes. These plants do not exhibit the sprawling characteristics that are evident in indeterminate varieties, nor do they set their fruit all at once as determinate varieties. Dwarf indeterminate plants can successfully be grown in containers.

Indeterminate plants are large, sprawling and normally need to be staked. Additionally, indeterminate plants continue to produce fruit throughout the entire season.

Weed Control
Weeds compete for water and nutrients and should be cleared as frequently as possible. Deep mulching will also prevent weed growth, and will help in the conservation of moisture.

Insect Control
Insect damage should be checked on a daily basis. If damage is found, chemical or biological agents can be used. Ask a Burkard salesperson for advice and assistance in selecting an insecticide

Disease Control
If your tomato plants have had disease problems in the past, you may want to choose a more disease resistant variety. Several varieties of plants have resistance to many of the common diseases. Some of the common diseases are Verticillium Wilt (V), Fusarium Wilt (F), Fusarium Wilt Variety one and two (FF), Nematodes (N), Alterneria Leaf Spot (A), and Tobacco Mosaic (T). Also, extra feedings of Ammonium Sulfate ever two weeks (1 Tbsp./1 Gal. Water) will greatly reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases.

Growing in Containers
When tomato plants are grown in containers, they will usually need more water and fertilization. Osmocote (14-14-14) time released fertilizer does an effective job of fertilizing over an extended period of time. Liquid fertilizers such as Miracle Gro (15-30-15) or Master Nurseryman's Bud & Bloom (15-30-15) are other alternatives, but must be applied every two weeks to be effective. Soil polymers can help prevent plants from wilting by storing water and releasing it when needed.

Ready to plant?
Check out our Tomato List.