Best Soil & Companion Plants for Growing Tomatoes
It’s Summertime and there’s nothing like eating a freshly grown tomato! Tomatoes are included in a large variety of recipes from multiple genres. Tomatoes are botanically a fruit, however tomatoes are generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable.
Tomatoes are usually used in savory preparations, which is why they’ve earned the reputation of being a vegetable. Some other fruits that are used as vegetables include squash, pea pods and cucumber.
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
Tomatoes rock! But is it really worth growing your own tomatoes or purchasing tomatoes from a local organic farmer in-season vs. purchasing commercially grown tomatoes from the grocery store?
In my opinion, growing your own tomatoes is a rewarding experience- you get to be outside, you get the positive endorphins from interacting with the soil, and you get to be in control of how the tomatoes are grown- soil health, hydration, and location.
If you do not have the time to grow your own tomatoes, purchasing them is an appropriate option. Purchasing from local organic growers is recommended provided they truly use organic or permaculture growing practices.
Did you know that many tomatoes grown by many commercial growers are using non-organic means to ripen the tomatoes? Commercially grown tomatoes are harvested and transported while still green and immature. To make them red before selling, food companies spray them with artificial ethylene gas.(1) and these tomatoes may not be as rich in flavor or in nutrients. How tomatoes are grown greatly contributes to the both the flavor and the benefits of the mighty tomato!
How to grow your own tomatoes:
Tomatoes are sun-loving, warm-season plants, they do best in full-sun, and will thrive in a south-facing part of the garden.
If you are growing your tomatoes in a container or raised bed, you need a bed at least 12 inches tall/deep for best results as their roots need this room to properly thrive. Fill the raised bed with high-quality garden soil. For tomatoes, the soil should be slightly acidic, light, well-draining, and rich in nutrients, humus, and organic matter.
Tomatoes can be planted outside after fear of the last frost is past and nighttime temperatures are above 50° F (10° C). They thrive in warm soil that is over 60° F (15° C). In a raised bed, this temperature can be sooner than ground-level soil.
Spacing your tomato plants depends on the type of tomato plant you are growing.
Consider growing beneficial companion plants in the spaces between tomato plants, such as marigolds. Marigolds have been found to reduce pests when grown alongside tomatoes. Other companion plants for tomatoes include: peppers (most varieties), basil, oregano, parsley or cilantro.
The rule of thumb when growing tomatoes is to spoil them when they are young- put finished compost in their planting hole, add crushed egg shells for phosphorus, mulch around the plants to help with moisture retention and plant along with companion plants. It also helps to hold back when they are mature and fruiting.
Having a good watering schedule and keeping an eye on the moisture levels around young tomato plants will help keep them happy.
Recipe for Homemade soil for raised beds: https://www.soilorganicsolutions.com/blog/best-soil-for-different-types-of-gardening-raised-bed-gardening
For more help in planning the organic vegetable garden of your dreams, reach out to https://www.soilorganicsolutions.com/contact
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