Ready, Set, Grow Tomatoes
Jill’s Love for Garden Tomatoes is Undeniable
I have a pillow on my couch given to me by my friend Kristen that reads, "I love you from my head to*ma*toes" with a large red tomato on it. Picking tomatoes and eating them right out of the garden is one of my most favorite garden snacks, second to sugar snap peas. There is no better vegetable (fruit actually!) to pick than tomatoes. Once you have tasted a home grown tomato, there is no going back to store bought. The flavor is unparalleled.
When to Buy Transplants
For Spring tomatoes, the best time to buy transplants is February. You want to plant transplants after the potential for frost (mid to late February), but early enough so they have time to fully grow before the hot days of summer. I always recommend buying from a local nursery, like Buchanans, Wabash or Southwest Fertilizer. Buying Tip- if you are buying from a local nursery, buy them early because sometimes they sell out of your favorite varieties.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Look for these words on your plant tag - Determinate or Indeterminate. If your plant is indeterminate, you will need to plant it next to a trellis as indeterminate tomatoes will keep growing as long as the weather allows. An arch trellis is perfect for this. If your plant is determinate, like a patio tomato, you can expect it to produce a small bush of tomatoes, then stop producing. You may need a cage or stake to help keep your determinate tomato propped upright. Try growing both varieties to see which you prefer.
Favorite Varieties to Grow
The Harris County extension office recommends the following tomato varieties:
Cherry: Jolly, Julie, Sungold, Sweet 100 and Sweet Chelsea
Paste: Roma and Viva Italia
Standard: Better Boy, Beefmaster, Bush Celebrity, Celebrity, Champion, Early Girl and Heat Wave
My personal favorite is the Juliet. It's similar in shape to a grape, but bigger and produces a lot! I also love the Sungold because of the flavor and color - yellow, nutty and sweet. A few years ago, I entered a tomato contest at The Arbor Gate. I didn't win, but I learned the best tasting tomato that day was called the Paul Robeson. I purchased the seeds from Baker Creek and admittedly, the tomatoes are fabulous.
Are You Ready to Grow Tomatoes this Spring?
Making room for tomato plants in my garden is a must for me. Perhaps you are considering a kitchen garden of your own or need to expand your garden to grow more tomatoes this Spring. Let us help you create an outdoor space for your tomatoes and so much more!!
