Organic tomato gardening in small spaces
April 18, 2009
Organic Tomato Success Kit, Green
Organic tomatoes is one of the best plants for the small garden. It’s fairly easy to plant and take care of. It’s free from disease and is protected from natural enemies such as insects and worms.
A dozen plants will not occupy much space and provides plenty of tomatoes when cultivated properly. Even the green tomatoes left on the vines in the fall can be pickled. The organic tomato is such an all time favorite vegetable that it should be one of the very first planted in a small garden.
Preparing a Window Box is a great space saver and makes it easy to plant tomato seed at home or at school. This method of planting is especially wonderful for school to stimulate interest. Since seed is generally planted about the last of February in the proper climate, it reminds the children that spring is just around the corner.
Place seed into a box about ten inches by twelve or fifteen filled with three inches of rich, light soil. Be sure to use soil that has been treated with a compost that includes lime. Lime creates more plant food for the growing roots to absorb and improves the physical nature of soil. On heavy and clay soil, it breaks up the lumps, separates the fine particles which cling together, and makes soil open and porous.
Be sure to provide drainage so water will not stand in the box. If the joints are water tight, holes must be made in the bottom. If care is used in watering the soil very little water will run out.
When the soil is ready make little holes an inch apart and one fourth of an inch deep. Drop two seeds in each hole. This should be done about eight or ten weeks before it’s time to set the plants in the garden.
If two seeds sprout in the same place, it’s wise to cut off the smaller plant, letting one little plant grow in each spot. When they are two inches high, either transplant into a raised bed if you have one, or get another box and set the plants out in the two boxes, two inches apart.
