Tips and tricks for growing tomatoes | Growing Fruit and Vegies | Gardening Australia

Tino shares his top tips on growing sweet, delicious tomatoes - the summer garden staple.

TOP 5 PLANTING TIPS

#1 Soil Preparation 1:11

Soil conditioners like sheep manure and cow manure can be used, but Tino likes to use compost with a handful of blood and bone.

#2 Planting 1:32

Spacing: 1 metre x 1 metre

Depth: Slightly deeper than existing soil level of seedling in pot.

#3 Feeding 2:03

Potash

1st: Approx 2 tablespoons at planting

2nd: Approx 2 tablespoons when fruit first emerges

3rd: Third of a handful when the plant is tall and laden with fruit.

#4 Watering 2:29

Once a week - give your plants a long, slow, deep water.

Consistent water is the key.
Water the roots (tomatoes hate their leaves staying wet!)

#5 Training 2:49

Tomatoes are classified in 2 main growth types:

Determinant - 'Bush' type. These grow to about 50cm high and flower and fruit at the same time. Great for when tomatoes are being grown for sauces. Determinant or bush types don't need any training

Indeterminant - Tall growing 'vine' type. These flower and fruit as the season progresses, meaning you can harvest as required, getting an extended cropping period. Indeterminant or climbing types do need staking.

Tino recommends staking at the time of planting (which avoids piercing the roots) using 3 to 4 stakes to surround the plant.

3:21 Pruning: Tino leaves the lateral stems on the plant when they are young. As the plant grows, he selects the three strongest laterals and ties them to the stakes and removes all the others (Tip: You can replant the laterals and water them in to grow additional plants).

Remove leaves that are in contact with the ground. This reduces pests and diseases accessing the plant and also promotes upward growth.

Watch Gardening Australia on ABC iview: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gard...

SUBSCRIBE: http://ab.co/GardeningYouTube

About Gardening Australia:
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.

Connect with other Gardening Australia fans:
Like Gardening Australia on Facebook:   / gardeningaustralia  
Follow Gardening Australia on Instagram:   / gardeningaustralia  
Visit the Gardening Australia website: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening

This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel.
********
Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).