Avoid Problems Growing Tomatoes With Preventive Care

Tomato growing problems can be divided into several categories: Environmental Problems, Diseases and Harvest Timing Problems. This article will discuss these issues in detail, and explain simple steps that can be taken to avoid these problems.

Tomato Diseases

Soil borne fungi diseases like Fusarium and Verticillium will wilt and kill tomato plants. They can be prevented by planting fungi resistant seeds (labelled VFN).

Tobacco mosaic virus is a disease that attacks your plants' leaves. The symptoms are a characteristic mottling of the leaves which cause them to wilt and die. It is caused by exposure to tobacco products. Affected plants must be discarded before the disease is spread to healthy plants. If you are a smoker make sure to wash your hands throroughly before working in the garden.

Septoria leaf spot is another leaf disease characterized by watersoaked spots which attack and kill the leaves. It is caused by soil being splashed up on the tomato plant leaves by rain or sprinklers. Make sure to avoid watering the tomato plants over the leaves. Limit watering to the plant roots.

Environmental Problems

Problems like blossom end rot, sunscald, catfacing and growth cracks are all based on abnormalities of weather, water and nutrients. Consistent watering and an even application of fertilizer to the soil can prevent most of these problems.

Timing of Harvests

Often the indiscriminate planting of tomatoes can result in harvests of all of your tomatoes at one time. This can result in too many harvested tomatoes for adequate consumption.

The solution to this problem is to stagger the planting of your tomatoes. This works best if you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate with a long growing season. Tomato plants grow best when the daytime temperature is between 65 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures above 60 degrees.

In most temperate climates the planting of tomato seedlings at the beginning of May will result in harvests in late July through August. If the climate is warm enough, the planting of tomatoes can be staggered both before and after May in waves, resulting in an even series of harvests.

For those who live in colder climates with shorter growing seasons, you will have to manipulate the growing environment in order to stagger your harvests. The easiest way to do this is to set up a small, portable "mini" greenhouse. They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any reasonable size on the internet or at your local garden center.

Whether you live in a cold or warm climate, you must keep your soil moist and aerated. Make sure your soil is always well tilled and has a continuous supply of water to keep it moist. Spreading a black plastic sheet over your soil will keep it warm for your plants and prevent the evaporation of moisture.

By: Samuel K.

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