HARVEST: Fully vine-ripen fruit when possible for best flavour. ![]() Growing healthy plants is the best way to manage pests! Organic insecticides may be required for potato beetle larvae and adult control. Tomato hornworms can be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis, although not commonly found in the Kootenays. INSECT PESTS: Use row covers to protect young seedlings from flea beetles. Organic fungicides can reduce certain diseases when properly selected and applied.īLOSSOM END ROT: Prevent blossom end rot by providing abundant soil calcium and an even supply of soil moisture. For prevention, use young, healthy transplants, avoid overhead irrigation, plow in tomato plant refuse in the fall, rotate crops, and do not handle tobacco or smoke before handling plants. Too much nitrogen causes rampant growth and soft fruits susceptible to rot.ĭISEASES: Learn the common tomato diseases in your area. Frost will cause severe damage.įERTILIZER: Abundant soil phosphorus is important for early high yields. If possible, avoid setting out unprotected plants until night temperatures are over 45☏ (7☌). For the earliest crops, set plants out around the last frost date under floating row covers, which will protect from frost to about 28☏ (-2☌). ![]() Water seedlings with a high-phosphate fertilizer solution. If using grafted plants, take care to ensure the graft union is not touching the soil. Plant 3-8″ inches deep, covering the root ball well and up to the cotyledons (first leaves). TRANSPLANTING OUTDOORS: Transplant into medium-rich garden or field soil 12-24″ apart for determinate varieties, 24-36″ apart for indeterminate, un-staked varieties, and 14-20″ for staking. INDETERMINATE (Climbing): Varieties should be staked, trellised, or caged, and pruned for best results fruit ripens over an extended period.
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