|
Tomatoes Here
 Tomatoes
here, tomatoes there, tomatoes everywhere. When we're adrift
in a sea of tomatoes, why a column about growing more
tomatoes?
You don't need a green thumb or a greenhouse to grow
vine-ripened tomatoes indoors. "Window-sill" tomatoes will
do well in 6-inch pots filled with good potting soil. You'll
also need the right tomato seed, seed starter mix,
fertilizer, and plant stakes. Presto! Tomato salad comin'
up!
Windowsill tomatoes are smaller than their outdoor relatives
--
Quarter-to-half-dollar-size. But don't let their small size
fool you – they come with a big tomato taste. They aren't "slicers,"
but they are perfect for salads or snacks.
Grow Your Own Tomatoes
You can grow one plant in a 6-inch pot or two plants in
larger pots. For a continuous supply, start one or two new
plants from seed every two weeks. Recommended varieties are
Pixie, Patio, Toy Boy, Small Fry or Tiny Tim. These
varieties will produce small plants, but they still may need
to be staked, especially when they begin to bear fruit.
Quarter-inch dowels make good stakes.
Germinate seeds in a small pot with starter mix. Plant seeds
about 1/4 inch deep and water. Keep starter mix moist but
not soggy. Germination should occur in 5 to l0 days.
Transplant from starter mix into potting soil when seedlings
are about 3 inches tall. Fertilize regularly, but lightly,
beginning about two weeks after transplanting. Water plants
thoroughly, but not too frequently. A catch pan under the
pot will keep windowsills dry.
When plants bloom, help Mother Nature along: Tap the main
stem and larger side branches with your finger. This moves
the plant slightly and encourages pollination. As you tap
the plant, you might see a small cloud of pollen falling
from the open flowers.
Turn plants occasionally, so all sides get a fair share of
sunlight. After each plant has provided a bumper crop and
has become unproductive, cut it off at the base, saving the
potting soil for future transplants. Toss the old plant in
the compost pile.
|
