The tomato plant is perhaps the most popular gardening plant in all America.
They provide food for the family and are generally easy to grow.
Even though growing this plant is generally easy that does not mean you can ignore its care.
A surprising fact for many gardeners is that tomatoes, scientifically speaking, are actually are fruit not a vegetable.
There many varieties of tomatoes to choose from compared to years ago.
Each one has its own size, shape, color, harvest time and flavor.
The best time to begin growing a tomato plant is early spring.
If you attempt to grow this tasty food during freezing temperatures you're sure to meet with failure.
Each tomato variety has its own growing and spacing needs.
If planted too close to each other they may not reach there true potential.
By following the guidelines on the plant tag or seed packaging you'll know the best distance to space the tomato plants.
Adding mulch, organic matter, or compost is highly recommended.
Plants that develop fruit have a high need for nutrients (heavy feeders).
Therefore, regular feedings keep the plant healthy and assist in the development of the fruit.
Your tomato plant will benefit from regular watering.
When grown in containers they may need to be watered every couple days.
In addition, you should feed liquid tomato fertilizer every three weeks, give or take.
As the plant matures, you will need to add stakes to support it weight.
Having weeds around your plants is an invitation to garden pests.
Keep the area clear of debris and weeds to minimize insects from destroying your plants.
Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings can be purchased at many gardening stores to control destructive garden pests.
If you give your tomato plant the basic care they need you'll be rewarded with tasty, healthy tomatoes your whole family can enjoy.
Gardening is also a great way to get exercise and burn off some stress.