Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are one of the most popular and beneficial fruits grown at home. It is mainly used as a vegetable. You can easily grow both cherry tomatoes and regular large tomatoes at home in pots, containers, or garden beds. Let’s see how it can be grown and what things are kept in mind at this time-
Scientific Name of Tomato: Solanum lycopersicum
Follow these steps to grow Tomato at Home-
Let’s see what the best conditions should be for growing tomatoes –
- Sunlight: Full sunlight for 6-8 hours per day.
- Temperature: 20-30°C is ideal.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but do not allow waterlogging.
- Harvesting time: 60-90 days, depending on the variety.
Detailed step-by-step guide to growing tomatoes at home-
1. Choose the right variety of tomato-
To grow tomatoes at home, it is very important to choose the right variety, like-
- Cherry tomatoes: These are sweet, small fruits. Some examples are Sweet 100 and Sungold.
- Regular tomatoes: Regular tomatoes are large fruits used in making soups like beefsteak, Roma, etc.
2. Choose the right container or place-
- After choosing the right variety, it is time to choose the right place to grow it. Choosing the right container is necessary to grow it.
- Pot size: Keep the pot at least 12-18 inches deep. It should have holes at the bottom for good drainage.
3. Prepare the soil-
- Use a light, rich potting mix mixed with compost to grow it. You can also use bone meal or slow-release organic fertilizer.
4. Sow seeds or plant seedlings-
Tomatoes can be grown using seeds or seedlings.
- From seeds: Start sowing seeds in the soil 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
- From plants: Healthy tomato plants can be grown directly in the soil. Plant seeds and plants in the garden at a distance of 18-24 inches so that the plants can grow well. Plant only 1 plant in a pot.
5. Water properly
- After planting, water the soil deeply. Then water regularly and keep the soil evenly moist.
- Do not wet the leaves to prevent diseases in the plants. Avoid overwatering as it can cause root rot.
6. Support with stakes or cages
- The stem of the tomato plant is weak, so to promote its growth, put wood, stakes, cages, or trellis around the stem to support the stem.
7. Fertilizer and Care
- Add organic tomato fertilizer to the plants every 2-3 weeks.
- Remove yellow or wilted leaves to promote proper plant growth and air flow.
- Lay mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
8. Right Time to Harvest
- Harvest tomatoes when they are firm, fully colored, and slightly soft to the touch. For this, gently twist or cut the fruit off the vine.
