Adam’s Ag Talk       

Hello everyone,

This week I thought we would discuss tomatoes. Tomatoes originated in the Ecuador area and then spread northward to Mexico where Spanish explorers carried them to southern Europe. For many years tomatoes were considered poisonous and were grown only for ornamental purposes.

A few tomato plants will provide adequate harvest for most families. There are hundreds of cultivars now available for the home gardener. Choose cultivars based on your intended use and method of culture.

Tomatoes do best through transplanting. Late plantings may be made in early July for fall harvest as long as you time plantings for maximum yield before a killing frost arrives in your region.  This is usually about 100 days from transplanting for most varieties. Make sure to provide 18 to 24 inches of space for plants that are staked and 24 to 36 inches apart for wire caged plants. Prior to planting fertilize with a complete fertilizer such as 13-13-13 at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet.

Water every 2 to 4 days during dry periods. Side dress with nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 1 pound per 100 row feet or one tablespoon per plant after the first tomatoes have grown to the size of golf balls. Make two more applications at 3-week intervals. 

Keep insecticides and fungicides handy incase of damage throughout the growing season. If you are having issues with blossom end rot incorporate calcium to your soil. It would also be a good idea to take a soil test because this is likely due to a lime deficiency.

Make sure not to allow fertilizer to get on the plant leaves as this can cause leaf burning.  For more information about tomato production or any other gardening questions please contact The Newton County Extension Office at 870-446-2240. Remember to check out our Facebook UAEX Newton County Extension Agriculture News. 

Thanks,

Adam Willis

Newton County Ag-Extension Agent-Staff Chair