Different plants are susceptible to different types of pests and diseases, and it is important to make yourself aware so you can keep a watchful eye and also take any preventative methods to keep your plants safe throughout their lifespan. When growing vegetables, it is always exciting to care for the plant throughout its growing phase and then harvest it for delicious recipes later on, but one thing to watch out for is pests and diseases. Learning Download: Common pests and diseases: Tomatoes Common pests and diseases: Tomatoes You can find countless options of tomato seeds at Urban Farmer. Be careful to not use too much nitrogen, as this can cause leafy plants with little fruit. Once plants are established and the first fruits begin to appear, fertilize regularly using a 5-10-5 fertilizer once or twice a month. Also mix in 3 to 4 inches of compost prior to planting. As you prepare the holes for the tomato transplants in the garden, mix a continuous-release fertilizer enriched with calcium into the soil. When seedlings are still inside and once they form their first set of true leaves, you can apply quarter-strength water-soluble fertilizer. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature until used. If you are concerned about harming the plant, garden prunes or a knife can be used to cut the stem close to the fruit. To harvest, grasp the tomato firmly but gently and twist it off the vine. Tomatoes ripen from the inside out, so if the outside looks ripe that means the inside is as well. The color should be even across the entire tomato, but green tomatoes can be harvested and used to make fried green tomatoes. This is usually 65-80 days after planting. Tomatoes are ripe when they have reached the right color – red for red tomatoes, yellow for yellow tomatoes and so on – and are slightly soft when squeezed. Be sure to rid plants of hornworms or use insecticides to protect the garden. Sometimes, tomato plants can fall victim to the tomato hornworm, which is a big, green caterpillar that eats the leaves and can damage the fruit of the plant. Tomato plants need to be staked, so use a stake, cage or trellis when you first transplant the seedlings so not to damage the plants later on. To retain moisture and deter weeds, add 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the tomato plants. Tomato plants do best in a crumbly, loamy soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. Always water the base of the plant and not the leaves. Tomatoes like full sun and plenty of water, at least 1 inch per week. To encourage a strong plant, bury at least two-thirds of the stem when planting. Transplant tomato seedlings outdoors two to three weeks after the last frost date. To get an earlier start outdoors, plant the tomato seeds in cold frames or raised beds. Once sprouted, move to a window that receives full light. Plant them 1/4 inch deep in a seed-starting soil and keep them near a heat source until sprouts appear. Tomatoes can be planted indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Homegrown tomatoes taste delicious fresh, or they can be used for canning, sauces and other recipes. Tomatoes range from typical red to yellow to seedless and heirloom varieties. However, growing a tomato from seed allows for more options when it comes to the type of tomatoes a gardener wants to grow. Tomatoes are one of the most common plants grown in the garden, but they are usually grown from transplants bought at the store and not seeds.
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