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[culinarilyobsessed]

When it comes to summer foods, homegrown tomatoes are at the top of my list of foods I look forward to and crave. Growing up my grandfather always grew the most juicy and delicious tomatoes in his garden, and the amount of them? PLENTIFUL!

He didn't seem to pass on the "growing delicious tomoatoes" gene to my dad and I'm positive not to me either, as my thumb seems to be as black as night..lol But I'd certainly be willing to attempt them one summer to come. Does anyone have any tips on growing tomoatoes? I have a small yard in a neighborhood, so no room for a garden. My best option would be growing a tomato plant in a large flowerpot or I could possibly spare a place in one of our natural areas/flowerbeds.

I'd love to hear tips and suggestions!
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[Babette]

[Herr Hexenmeister]

[EC]

Jaay - plant them in the sunniest spot possible. Also, buy those round cages and put them around them when you first plant them for support. It's almost impossible to put them on once the plants are maturing, without damaging them.

If there are critters afoot, you should put a chicken wire fence around them also because they seek out the moisture in the tomatoes, especially if you're having a dry summer.
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[ddpie]

If you plant them in the yard, make a small bed and enrich your area with a good quality "garden soil", miracle grow makes one of course but you can find others. If in a pot, use a large one and fill with garden soil. (not top soil)

Second tip: for any variety other than cherry tomatoes, place a stake thats about 4 or 5 foot tall when you plant them (I've used cages and they can get way too big and grow over the cages) As the plant grows, take old pantyhose, cut 1" strips acrossed the legs and use to tie up the plants to the stake for support (trust me, do this AS they are growing, don't wait until they are too big and heavy with 'maters or you'll break the stalks)

When you actually plant them, plant them really, really, deep. Like, I mean, when you buy the small plant, plant almost HALF of it, leaves and all (this will produce a stronger root system)

Of course growing up we had the luxury(?) of grandpa's cow manure for fertilizer, however, rare to find here in the city LOL soooo...
Feed with miracle grow at least once a week. They really should be watered every day, morning is best before the heat of the sun. (If you water less frequently, it will cause them to split)

Also, I totally agree with Herr on this one...store tomatoes on a window seal or in a basket on the counter for best flavor (this is especially true for store bought green house tomatoes)

BTW...did you all know that the sun doesn't actually ripen tomatoes??? They ripen in the dark. As a matter of fact, green house growers will place them in carts with dark brown paper to hasten the riping process (perhaps that's why they taste so bad! LOL)

And last but not least...find some good tomato recipes, with just a little TLC, and just from a few plants, you'll have them coming out of your ears!

Hope these tips help...probably WAY more than you wanted to know

~ddpie~

[EC]

And Jaay - when you do get around to growing them, you better post a pic of your southern fried green tomatoes!!!
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[lv2cook]

Herr Hexenmeister...I can't believe you threw away all those Romas! Next time line a baking sheet with parchment paper, cut the tomatoes in half and place on the sheet pan cut side up... drizzle each with some olive oil, sugar and salt and roast them in a 325 degree oven for about an hour. When cool, just put them into a freezer bag...make certain you get all the juices and oil off the parchment paper, too...and you will have the most delicious tomatoes to use in sauces, pasta, etc. all winter long.
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[ddpie]

Yum Sheila, thanks for sharing that great idea...sounds so much easier than the usual canning that I do with ALL of my extras

~ddpie~

[pattit]

ddpie, freezing really is the way to go, so much easier. I blanch the larger tomaotes, peel them, put them in a freezer zip lock bag and get all the air out I can and just put them in the freezer. It is so much less of a hassle, and I am inclined to do it more often instead of waiting for a huge amount like I did when I canned.

[Herr Hexenmeister]