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Growing Tomatoes

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Tomatoes are the most popular crop in home gardens in North Dakota. Proper care of your tomato plants in spring will mean greater yields later in the summer. Select early maturing varieties that are well adapted in North Dakota.

Make tomato selections based on pest resistance. Tomatoes that have the initials F.V.N.T. after them provide the best protection: F = Fusarium resistant; V = Verticillium resistant; N = Nematode resistant and T = Tobacco mosaic virus resistant.

Set transplants in your garden after all danger of frost is past, or be prepared to cover your plants. Space plants 3-4 feet apart in the row.

Cultivate or hoe around the plants each week or so to control weeds. Cultivate shallow, not over one or two inches deep. Avoid cultivation after the vines cover the ground; hand weed when needed. To avoid spreading certain diseases, it is best not to cultivate or harvest fruits while plants are wet with dew.

Irrigate during dry spells to ensure better yields and higher quality fruit. This practice will help reduce blossom-drop, blossom-end rot, and some types of fruit cracking. Soak the soil thoroughly to a depth of 8 to 10 inches each time water is applied rather than frequent light irrigations. To avoid foliage diseases, it is best to water at the base of tomato plants and avoid watering plant foliage.

Mulching is also a good practice. On small areas, mulching plants with straw or a similar material will save cultivation, keep down weeds, save soil moisture, and provide cleaner, better quality fruit at harvest time. Apply the mulch several inches deep and around the plants.

Additional information on this topic is included in the Extension bulletin H-618, "Everybody's Garden Guide," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/