Quick Tips: Plant shallow, leaving stems above ground Don’t prune: extra foliage helps to insulate the plant Plant cold-tolerant varieties (Siberian, etc) Protect plants with cold frames, row fabric or hoop houses Plant early enough to have an established plant before cold weather Boost up the health of your soil Some of you have asked [...]
Gotomato Blog
Have you started your cool season tomatoes?
Tomato Care during the Heat
Here in southern California, temperatures are really heating up. Summer will be coming on strong in other parts of the country very soon! It’s time to make sure those tomatoes stay cool during the hot summer. It’s true that tomatoes do like warm weather but there is a limit. If it’s too hot (high 90’s [...]
Pruning Plants Yields the Largest Tomatoes!
Want those giant, gorgeous tomatoes in your garden this year? How big can a beefsteak get? What can we do to enhance its growth? The answer is in the pruning! For maximum size and flavor, prune off suckers (or side-branches) in June to direct the plant’s energy to just a few main branches. Often, tomato [...]
What is causing the damage: Early Blight or Overwatering?
Our tomato plants are getting bigger, as we ease into the warmer months. As they grow, they can occasionally become susceptible to disease and pests. They can also be harmed by the hands of well-intentioned gardeners who give their plants a little too much attention. Sometimes, the plant may exhibit certain symptoms that could be [...]
Low-acid Tomatoes?
Which tomato varieties have less acid? There persists a common myth that certain tomato varieties contain more acid than others. Traditionally, yellow and white varieties, such as the Dr. Carolyn cherry tomato, have been noted to have less acid. The truth is there is no such thing as a low-acid tomato. All tomatoes have the [...]
Tomato Technology! Which method is the best?
SuperNaturals™ Mighty ‘Mato Grafted Tomatoes and Vegetables Enhanced production Stronger disease resistance Longer harvests Increased plant vigor! The latest news on the tomato front concerns a new way to produce larger harvests of delicious tomatoes with plants that have increased vigor and disease resistance. The “Mighty ‘Mato” tomatoes offer unique benefits among tomatoes. Let’s talk [...]
It’s Tomato Time! Sowing Tips and Top Tomato Picks!
Simple tips for sowing tomato seeds: You’ll need: Seeds (of course) Peat moss Shallow container(s) Newspaper Water Sowing seeds is fun and simple for gardeners of all ages! Prepare all your materials, find a nice open space and get to it. Start with a nursery flat or a shallow container that has drainage holes at [...]
Is January too cold to start seedlings?
The answer to this question depends on the crop and where in the country you live. Those of you in northern climes might want to wait a few more weeks, before starting seeds. Additionally, certain crops will grow in cold temperatures-like broccoli and spinach- while others need warm soil to thrive-like tomatoes! Be sure to [...]
Have you ordered your seeds for 2011?
I start my tomato seeds inside in January and February, so that they will be ready to plant outside when the soil warms in March and beyond. Many seedlings handle cold weather well and may be started quite early. Members of the mustard family (broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc.) as well as radishes, peas and other [...]
Boost up Your Soil this autumn!
Do I need to fertilize again in the fall? If you are planting a fall/winter crop I always recommend adding an organic fertilizer for each planting. Cold crops can still be planted at this time of year, including many types of lettuce and members of the cabbage family, such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, [...]
