Tomatoes

If you're like us, you want to grow tomatoes that taste like tomatoes. And what better way to do that than by growing heirloom and open-pollinated tomatoes? Not only are they delicious, but they also offer a ton of other benefits to the home gardener.

First, heirloom and open-pollinated tomatoes are more genetically diverse than the hybrid varieties you find in stores. This means they're more adaptable to different growing conditions and pests, making them easier to grow in your home garden. Plus, they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colours, creating a beautiful medley in your harvest basket!

But the real benefit? The taste! With complex, distinct flavours and hundreds to choose from, you can try new ones every year and never get bored.

There are two categories of tomato plants:

Determinate (short-growing): Often referred to as bush-types, they grow to a finite size and produce most of their fruit at once. They generally do not require extra support and do exceptionally well in containers. Popular in shorter-season gardens.
Indeterminate (vining): Require support for their long vines, which will keep on growing as long as conditions are favourable. Indeterminates can bear quite heavily and over an extended period.

Tomato Growing Guide:

Tomato is a warm-season plant that requires full sun and is frost-tender. Start plants in trays and transplant them two or three times before planting in their permanent place. Plant deeper every transplant to promote extra root growth along the buried stem. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so give it very rich well-drained soil, and it is recommended to prepare individual planting holes. Plant the trellis or cage for support at the same time as the seedling so that the roots are not damaged afterwards. Adequate spacing is also important for good air circulation, which keeps most diseases at bay. Thirsty tomato plants need regular watering at root level. Always try to keep the leaves dry to prevent disease. To grow larger fruit, pinch out suckers and growing tips when the plant reaches its desired height. This will divert the energy to the fruits instead of the vines.