Description
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Solanum lycopersicum DETERMINATE (Bush): Varieties do not need pruning & may be grown with or without support; fruit ripens within a concentrated time period. INDETERMINATE (Climbing): Varieties should be staked, trellised, or caged, & pruned for best results; fruit ripens over an extended period. CULTURE: Medium-rich soil with pH 6.0-6.8 preferred. Fertilize accurately since excess nitrogen causes rampant growth, rot, & delayed ripening. For short determinates, succession-plant every 4-6 weeks. Tomatoes typically germinate in 5-7 days. TRANSPLANTING: Don't start too earlyleggy, root-bound, or flowering transplants can cause stunting & reduce early production. About 5-6 weeks before transplanting, sow 1/4" deep in 20-row flats with 20 seeds/row, or in 200-cell trays with 1 seed/cell; lightly cover. Keep mix at 75-85oF (24-29oC) with moderate moisture. At first true leaf, pot-up to 50-cell trays or 4" pots, depending on expected transplant timing. Grow at constant 60-70oF (16-21oC) temp & use complete fertilizer until hardened-off. Supplemental lights & lower night temps control stretching. For earliest crop, plant under row cover around last frost date. Avoid exposing unprotected plants to consecutive nightly temperatures below 45oF (7oC). in rows 4-6' apart, space determinates 12-24" & indeterminates 24-36". Plant deeply to encourage adventitious rooting. Water seedlings with a high-phosphate fertilizer solution at planting to help boost early yields. TRELLISING: Basket-weave by pounding 5-6' stakes every 2-3 plants, using heavier t-posts intermittently & at ends of beds. For tall indeterminates, consider short extensions or pruning once they outgrow a manageable size for easy harvest. Tomato Martha Washington Certified Organic Seed 15
