5 Common Gardening Mistakes That Can Wreck Tomato Plants
October 7, 2019
source: Deposit photos
If you have a vegetable garden, I’m willing to bet you have a few tomato plants. Even if you don’t, tomato plants can be grown in large pots, so there are multiple options for growing large, juicy tomatoes! If you’re currently growing tomato plants (or are looking to in the future), just be sure to avoid these common gardening mistakes that can negatively affect tomato plants.
1. Picking A Shady Spot
As with most fruits and vegetables, tomato plants require nearly a full day of sunlight each day in order to develop in a healthy way. If you plant seedlings in the shade, your tomato plants will have a really difficult time growing.
2. Not Thinking About Soil
It’s not a great idea to plant tomato seedlings (or a pre-developed plant) in any old dirt. Tomato plants require nutrient-rich soil, and especially soil that’s been well aerated. If you mix in a bit of compost material every so often, your tomato plants will also thank you!
3. Lack Of Consistent Watering
A lack of consistent watering is the main culprit in tomato plants getting blossom-end rot. Ensure that you are watering your tomato plants on a regular basis, but that they’re not sitting in a pool of water. It’s also best to water tomato plants first thing before the sun comes out, or right as the sun is going down for the day.
4. Crowding The Plants
If you plant tomato plants or seedlings too close to one another, they won’t be able to grow to their full potential. As a rule of thumb, ensure you’re leaving around two feet between plants so that they’re not crowded together and fighting for growing room.
5. Failing To Prune
Surprisingly, tomato plants need a fair bit of pruning in order to grow big, juicy tomatoes. Get in the habit of pruning any leaf-heavy areas, as these areas will limit the air circulation close to the plant and fruit. When you prune excess leaves, it also decreases the chance of pest infestation and disease, along with encouraging the plant to allocate more nutrients to the fruit, rather than the leaves.
Now that you know these simple tips, hopefully your next tomato yield will be a wonderful one!