Scientific Name: Liycopersicum esculentum
Family: Solanaceae
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables abundantly grown throughout the world. Growing tomato plants don’t require much expertise, anyone as a beginner can easily grow tomatoes in a home garden or even in containers. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes are consumed differently like vegetable dishes, salad, soup, ketchup, juice, and many other ways which help to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. As a sun-loving plant, it requires a minimum of 6-8 hours of daily sunlight otherwise low exposure to sunlight can decrease productivity adversely.
In this article, I will tell you how to grow tomatoes at home easily from the sowing to the harvesting stage.
Table of Contents
Propagation Methods
Tomato plants can be propagated by seeds and also you can grow through stem cutting.
Growing Season
Tomato is a warm-season crop that requires plenty of sunlight for better growth and fruit set. Tomato seeds should sow in March or April months to get better results. Tomato plants are sensitive to low temperatures or frost conditions and that’s why cannot grow during the winter season. Fruit setting is restricted in low temperatures so yield is affected.
Temperature Requirement
The optimum temperature between 20°C to 35°C throughout the growing period is ideal. Temperature more or less than this range can affect production adversely. High temperature also helps to develop the red color of tomatoes. Low humidity in the atmosphere can also affect the fruit set.
Soil Preparation
Tomato can be grown in different types of soil but a well-drained, loamy, or heavy clay soil with good moisture holding capacity is ideal for growing a quality crop. Add organic manure or compost for increasing the soil nutrient and drainage.
Water Requirement
Tomato plants require watering regularly but both over-watering and under-watering can be harmful to plants. Excess watering can restrict vegetative growth and water deficiency results in a reduction in fruit setting and overall yield. You should always keep the soil moist for better plant growth and flowering.
Also Read: What Is Mulching in Agriculture and Its Benefits?
Fertilizer Requirement
At the time of flowering and fruit setting tomato plants to require proper nutrition for better results. You can add organic manure like cow dung and vermicompost, also you can apply any complete fertilizers which is low in nitrogen but high in phosphorus and potash. Foliar application of nitrogen is also ideal at the time of flowering and fruiting.
Insect Pests and Diseases
When you are growing tomato plants always keep checking if the plants are attacked by any insect pests and diseases. Harmful insect pests like jassid, tobacco caterpillar, tomato fruit worm, and diseases like early blight, late blight, damping off, and bacterial wilt can attack the plants and spoil the whole thing. So whenever you find anything happening wrong apply an appropriate dose of pesticide or fungicide to prevent the damage. Also, you can choose disease-resistant cultivars if you can’t manage the problems.
Harvesting
Tomato plants take almost 60 to 80 days from starting day to reach the harvesting stage. Tomatoes are harvested in different stages according to the need. For home or table use, tomatoes are mostly harvested in the ripe stage.
FAQs
Is tomato easy to grow at home?
Tomatoes are quite easy to grow if you maintain every aspect carefully. From seed sowing to harvesting you just need to provide the plants with basic requirements like sowing the plants at the right time when the temperature and humidity in the atmosphere are ideal, allowing the plants to get 6-8 hours of daily sunlight, watering regularly to maintain the soil moisture and always check if the plants are getting affected by pests and diseases.
Which month is best to grow tomatoes?
As you know tomato is a warm-season crop and gives the best result between 20°C to 35°C, that’s why the best month to sow tomato seeds are March and April.
How long tomatoes take to grow?
Tomato plants have a relatively long growing period. Depending on the varieties it takes almost 60 to 80 days to reach the harvesting stage.
Do tomato plants need a lot of water?
Not like a lot of water but you have to water tomato plants frequently to keep the soil moist for better growth and fruit set.
Can I grow tomatoes all year round?
For growing tomatoes, warm weather is essential because tomato plants cant thrive in cold winter or frost conditions. But you can grow tomatoes all year round using greenhouse conditions.
How long do tomato plants live?
Tomato plants mostly last for one year but if the atmospheric temperature of the place remains always high then the plants can last for up to two years.