Tasty Tomatoes

Before you even pick up your trowel, you'll need to choose which variety or varieties to grow. There are literally hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different tomatoes available. To simplify things, keep in mind there are only two main types of tomatoes.

• Determinate tomato varieties are nice and bushy, but will grow only to a specified size, say four feet tall. Determinates are best suited for smaller spaces, such as container gardens.
• Indeterminate varieties need lots of elbow room so they can grow…and grow…and grow. Narrow your choices based on the amount of available space in your garden.

From there, simply purchase tomato plants at the local garden center or start seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before planting. Whichever type you choose, be sure to wait until the threat of frost has passed before putting them in the ground.

Ready to dig in? Here are some handy tips to guarantee a bumper crop:

• Location is Everything. Make sure to grow your tomatoes where they'll receive eight hours of full sun, especially if you live in a cooler northern climate.
• Best Soil. Tomatoes grow in just about any soil, but they really thrive in rich, well-draining loam that is slightly acidic. It's a good idea to work some organic material, such as composted manure, into the soil to a depth of six inches or so prior to planting.
• Dig Deep. Set tomatoes deep enough to bury the plant up to its second set of leaves. This might mean going as deep as 18 inches. Gardeners in colder climates can speed rooting by planting the tomato on its side in a trench. Give the plants as much space as you can by digging holes three feet apart. If your garden isn't this roomy, you can reduce the distance to 18 to 24 inches, but you'll have to contain your plants with a tomato cage or tie them to a stake.
• Protect Your Babies. Surround newly transplanted plants with chicken wire, keeping hungry rabbits from eating them. You can also discourage cutworms by cutting the tops and bottoms off shallow tin cans (or simply use a toilet paper roll), placing them over the plants and pushing the cans into the soil.
• Food and Water. Water thoroughly and add starter fertilizer to give hungry young plants a boost. A generous layer of mulch helps retain moisture and heat during cool spring nights. It also keeps roots cool when temperatures rise.

Once your plants are established, you can weed occasionally, water regularly, and basically watch them grow. In no time, you'll be able to taste the fruits of your labor--fresh from the vine!

Contact your local garden center or horticulture extension office to find out what grows best in your own backyard.