Growing tomatoes is one of the best reasons to have a home garden, even if that “garden” consists of just a few pots on your patio. No supermarket tomato can compete with the flavor of one that’s homegrown and fresh from the vine, still warm from the sun. And while they’re not necessarily difficult to…
A Cool Hack for Growing Tomatoes (and Lots of Them)
If you look closely at the stems of your tomato seedlings, you’ll see that they’re covered with fine hairs. The cool thing about tomatoes is that those tiny hairs can actually turn into roots, allowing your plants to pull more nutrients from the soil. Here’s how the hack works.
First, get your bed (or pot, if you’re container gardening) ready for planting the tomato seedlings. The soil should be loose and well drained, and enriched with compost. The next step is to pinch off the seedling’s lower branches, leaving just the strongest two or three at the top. That’s enough to fuel the plant nicely, and it directs growth to the top stems. Now, plant the tomato seedling deeply, leaving only 2 to 3 inches of the main stem above the soil and burying the rest of the plant.
Over the next couple of weeks, the plant will bide its time, as all of those fine hairs begin transitioning into roots. Then, suddenly, the plant will experience a massive growth spurt as the new root system establishes itself and starts delivering nutrients.
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Starting Tomatoes vs. Buying Tomato Seedlings
This hack works equally well for those who buy seedlings from the garden center and those who start their tomatoes from seeds. If you’re doing the latter, you’ll need to wait for the tiny seedlings to grow into young plants before transplanting. In general, they should be 4 to 6 inches tall with sturdy stems, a developed root system, and three to four sets of leaves.
The planting technique is particularly beneficial for nursery seedlings, which often have lots of top growth and relatively small, confined root systems. Instead of a weak plant that’s trying to outgrow its root system’s capacity, you’ll have vigorous vines with the root structure to support a massive harvest.
Buying plants is of course quick and convenient, and it means you don’t have to fuss over providing light, warmth, water, and nutrients in the correct proportions. On the other hand, starting your own from seed gives you more varieties to choose from and more control over the process. You can even save the seeds from heirloom varieties and grow them again next year. However, popular mainstream hybrids don’t “breed true,” meaning the tomatoes you grow from their seeds aren’t the same as the parent plant.
This home hack is part of Summer Spruce Up Week — seven days packed with ideas to get you ready for the season ahead. We’ll be sharing our best tips for stress-free grilling, memorable outdoor gatherings, and thriving summer gardens.
