Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Michigan

Did you know that Americans in the 17th and the 18th centuries thought that tomatoes were poisonous? Well, fortunately-that's not true. Tomatoes are actually extremely good for your health. However, tomatoes can be difficult to grow, especially in colder regions such as Michigan. Here are a few basic tips for planting and growing tomatoes successfully in a Michigan garden.

Tip #1: Start Small

If this is your first year as a homeowner complete with a new yard for gardening, start small. Or, if this is simply your first year with gardening of any kind, period, then again: start small. If you take on too much, plant a vegetable (or flower) garden that's too large-then you'll end up abandoning your tomato plants halfway through the season (if not sooner.)

Tip #2: Research Your Tomato

If you've picked out a certain type of tomato, research what it needs and provide it with such. This will ensure that your tomatoes will survive and thrive. Most tomatoes require plenty of sunshine throughout the day and a sandy type of soil (so if you're a coastal Michigander, this works well in your favor; though tomatoes can be grown far from the shores, so don't fret if you're not hugging the shoreline.)

Tip #3: Protection

Occasionally, especially in the early growing season (or the late growing season, if your plants last that long,) it gets quite cold out. The cold can destroy even the hardiest of tomato plants, so it's important to protect them from it. This means that you will either need to bring your potted plants indoors until the weather warms back up, or you'll need to cover it using some type of plant protection (remember those styrofoam cones at the garden center? Well, this is what they're for!)

Tip #4: Be Patient

When planting in the early spring, whether you're planting seeds or full-fledged seedlings, always wait until the very last moment. This means waiting until the weather has started to truly warm and the potential threat of a late spring frost has passed. Sure, you can plant those seeds at the beginning of the season, but you might end up losing any potential plants.

Should an unexpected frost (as they often are,) occur-then remember to take full advantage of tip #3 and protect your plants.

Tip #5: Water and Fertilize

Like with any plant, you will need to water and fertilize regularly. Don't let the ground around your tomato plant dry out, as that will cause a quicker death.

It should also be noted that tomatoes enjoy a rich soil full of nutrients. You may find that fertilizing your plant every other week works best, or even once a month in some situations of particularly rich existing soil. It may be a trial and error situation, but don't worry-you'll find something that works for your tomatoes.

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Additional Information:

Garden.org: A Gardener's Guide to Frost

Kimberley Willis: 10 Best Tomatoes for Michigan Gardens

TomatoFest: Tomato Growing Zone Maps