Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes!!

(Cherry Tomatoes, 11 Weeks from plant to Harvest)

     Everyone asks me when it comes to planting and caring for tomatoes, what are the best kind to do well in the desert. I always tell them, any variety you want can do well the trick is taking care of them and pruning the plant properly. I always prune the extra foliage, which was the technique passed down to me by my forefathers, in order to put the tomato plant into a form of stress. This stress will push the plant into producing more seed to ensure a future generation of crop will be available. When you do prune the plant, that specific site will be a future node for flowers to form. DO NOT throw away your foliage that is viable as a transplant. Simply shave a bit of the stem off and drop the plant in a bit of water so it can create fresh roots.

(Julietta and Caprese Tomatoes, 10 Weeks from plant to Harvest)

     Every single time I prune my vines that way I end up with an extremely healthy bountiful harvest, like in these photos. To ensure the plant continues its flowering and growth cycle I use another technique called "trench composting". What I do is find the main root mass in the earth and bury composting crops about 1-2 feet into the ground and bury it. This will ensure that the eggshells or rotting veggies with breakdown properly without any smell and that the plant will access these beneficial bacteria through their roots without having to stretch too far to find nutrients.

(Caprese Tomatoes, 10 weeks harvest from planting)

    I always say it is better to experiment with quantities of trench composting rather than not trying it at all. We all learn from mistakes and won't exceed our boundaries without a little experimentation and R&D. I hope this helped you with some information regarding how to care for tomatoes. Be on the lookout for plant care videos in the future. I promise I won't blast you with music this time :).

Happy Gardening!!

Farmer Jeff


Follow me on Instagram for contests and daily updates!

Follow me and subscribe on YouTube for better chances at winning seeds and nutrients!

Healthy Living : Tomatoes and You

     Anyone can tell you to eat right, that you should choose better ingredients for your meals, or that you should start a new eating routine and forget about your old one. Well they are right, you only have been blessed with one body! The easiest and best way to instill this lifestyle EASILY into your life is to cultivate your own foods. The majority of produce from your local markets can be grown in your specific region. All you need is good soil content, a steady flow of water, and the patience to do said deeds.

(Organically Grown Bloody Butcher Tomato)

¤ First, we will start off talking about the benefits of growing tomatoes! ¤

     Tomatoes are known all over the world as been a highly rich antioxidant fruit, it's also known to lower one's cholesterol and can help battle Prostate and/or Breast Cancer. I want to live a long and healthy life and I'm fairly certain that you would too. The rich supply of antioxidants provided by the tomato can help postmenopausal women with their bone health. And as been used in research to help reduce risk of some neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.

 **Most people with gastrointestinal complications most likely should NOT eat tomatoes frequent, because it can cause more stomach irritation and heart burn to occur more often.**

(Organically Grown Tomato from Rome, Italy)

¤ Reasons for growing your own Tomatoes ¤

    Each person has their specific favourite type of tomato they long for on their sandwich, burger, salad, pasta or pizza. And each breed of tomato has a different price. The higher end of cost are your heirlooms, which have been passed down from generation to generation. So if you are going to grow your own tomatoes, research which type of tomato you like (i.e. beefmaster, roma, cherry). Then research the different breeds of the type you have chosen. There could be the most amazing tomato you ever had out there in seed, waiting for you to give your own "green thumb" a go.

    Tomatoes are one of the easier crops I have grown, they take less time and nurturing than beans or potatoes in my opinion. I use organic manure; steer, cow, pig, horse, or fowl. Dead plant matter with some compost (fruit and veggie scraps, porous soil, and worm casting) and finally some dirt. I prune and clean up, around the base of the plant, about every third or fourth day. My average fully matured tomato plant, about five foot high/one and a half metres, gets about two cups/a pint of water throughout the day.

   Well Friends! You heard what I think about tomatoes and their brilliant qualities. Now it's time to ask yourself if you're going to take a fun risk and try to grow some, or just shop for better quality tomatoes. Whatever you choose, have fun with your food and try to make some of it healthy. Until next time guys....Keep it Green and Keep it Growing! Ciao!! 

HyperSmash