Tips for Growing Tomatoes the First Time

Growing tomatoes is a great way to teach kids about nature, farming and nurturing plants. Tomato plants are fairly hearty and can be planted in the ground or in pots. A little care, a little patience and a wire rack to help support the weight of the tomatoes as they grow and kids can earn their own rewards by growing and eating their own tomatoes.

First Time Grower Tips

If planning to grow tomatoes for the first time, don't buy seeds. In fact, head over to the local nursery and check out the tomato plants they have available. Be sure that the last frost of the season is past so that there is no worry of sudden temperature drops over night giving the tomato plant a taste of the killer frost. Most nurseries including those found at the local hardware chains like Home Depot and Lowe's as well as the local Wal-mart will carry some variation of tomato plant. Remember when choosing the tomato plant that if it grows cherry tomatoes, those are the little ones.

Be sure to pick up some garden soil from the same nursery. Check for a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. If the garden soil is designed for fruits and flowers, then it will likely have the right pH (remember, tomatoes are a fruit). If planning to plant them in the ground, be sure to clear the area where the tomato plants are going in. First timers want plenty of room around the tomato plants to make sure they get lots of daytime sun and plenty of shelter from too much wind. Flush against the wall of a house, for example, on the side that gets the most sun. Morning to mid-afternoon sun is best, late day sun can be hot and burn the plant.

For home growers who don't have a vegetable patch, an oversized planter pot works as well. Be sure to plant each tomato plant in its own planter. Use a little mulch on the top of the soil to help the moisture seal. The pot should have good drainage and a dish along the bottom to help capture water. While the tomato cage is necessary eventually, it can wait a few weeks to let the plant grow.

Water Regularly

Tomatoes need plenty of water, but be careful not to overwater. If hand watering, check the soil at a full finger depth. If it's damp, that's sufficient. If it's dry, water it. Watering is particularly important when the tomatoes begin to grow. If using sprinklers, watering every other day is generally enough unless excessively hot or dry, then consider watering the tomato plant daily as needed. Tomato plants do best when they average about an inch and a half of water every week.

As the plant gains height, be sure to add the tomato cage to support it. The bodies of the tomatoes themselves will begin to grow and weight the plant down with the cage to give it support. When the tomatoes are firm (but not hard), even colored and red it's time to pick them. The average tomato plant begins to bear fruit in about 6 to 8 weeks after planting if nurtured well. Check with the local nursery for organic pesticides that can protect the tomato plant from diseases and bugs, but not harm the family.

For a child's first progress, have them note changes in the plant from week to week and take pictures of the plant each week. Then compare the growth with previous weeks. If the tomatoes fail or a problem occurs, this is also a way to pinpoint what went wrong.