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Five Top Tips for Growing Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardening, and they are easy to grow from seed. They can be grown in polytunnels and greenhouses using grow bags, or they can be grown outdoors in containers, gardens or allotments. There are many different varieties of tomato, each suited specifically to indoor or outdoor conditions. Whether growing indoors or outdoors, your tomato plants will need to be placed in a sheltered spot with plenty of sunlight, and they will need lots of regular watering. Tomato vines can be heavy and they can grow quickly, so it is important to use a strong trellis or something similar to provide support for your plants. Here are five top tips for growing your own tomatoes:

1. Reduce the risk of developing fungus problems

When your tomato plants reach 3-4 feet in height, strip the leaves from the bottom quarter of the stem. These leaves are usually the first part of the plant to develop fungal diseases. Spraying crops with compost tea 3-4 times a month can also help to prevent fungus problems.

2. Strengthen plant stems before they reach full size

Tomato plants need strong stems that are flexible enough to sway and twist a little. This avoids the risk of being damaged whenever there is a moderate breeze. Strengthen the stems of young plants by training a gentle cool fan on them for a few minutes every day.

3. Keep tomatoes as warm as possible, especially in the early days of growth

Tomatoes thrive in the heat and will grow much faster, and better, if you provide them with extra warmth. Prepare your planting area a few weeks before you plant your tomatoes. You can do this by covering the soil with black plastic and exposing it to plenty of direct sunlight.

4. Keep your plants well hydrated

It is very important to get the balance right when watering tomatoes. Giving tomatoes too much water can encourage disease, and not giving them enough water can lead to blossom drop. Inconsistent watering can also cause other problems such as cracking. Make sure your plants receive a steady supply of water.

5. Ripen any green tomatoes

Wrap green tomatoes in brown paper, or newspaper, and place in a shallow box. Store the box in a dark place where it will be cool and dry. It can take around four weeks for green tomatoes to ripen, but you should check them once a week to remove any rotten fruits.

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