TomatoesTomatoesThe Most Popular Of All Home The Most Popular Of All Home

Garden VegetablesGarden Vegetables

TomatoesTomatoesThe Most Popular Of All Home The Most Popular Of All Home

Garden VegetablesGarden VegetablesLarry SagersLarry Sagers

USU Horticulture USU Horticulture SpecialistSpecialist

Thanksgiving PointThanksgiving Point

Larry SagersLarry Sagers

USU Horticulture USU Horticulture SpecialistSpecialist

Thanksgiving PointThanksgiving Point

•These vegetables originated These vegetables originated in Central and South Americain Central and South America

•These vegetables originated These vegetables originated in Central and South Americain Central and South America

•Early American colonists Early American colonists thought tomatoes poisonous thought tomatoes poisonous and did not use them until and did not use them until the 1800sthe 1800s

•Early American colonists Early American colonists thought tomatoes poisonous thought tomatoes poisonous and did not use them until and did not use them until the 1800sthe 1800s

They Soon Became Very They Soon Became Very PopularPopular

They Soon Became Very They Soon Became Very PopularPopular

•Tomatoes are an almost daily Tomatoes are an almost daily part of the American family part of the American family diet as fresh or cooked dishesdiet as fresh or cooked dishes

•Tomatoes are an almost daily Tomatoes are an almost daily part of the American family part of the American family diet as fresh or cooked dishesdiet as fresh or cooked dishes

•Tomatoes are low in calories Tomatoes are low in calories and a good source of vitamin and a good source of vitamin CC

•Tomatoes are low in calories Tomatoes are low in calories and a good source of vitamin and a good source of vitamin CC

Annual vs PerennialAnnual vs PerennialAnnual vs PerennialAnnual vs Perennial

Climatic RequirementsClimatic RequirementsClimatic RequirementsClimatic Requirements

Establishing the PlantsEstablishing the PlantsEstablishing the PlantsEstablishing the Plants

•Due to their Due to their long growing long growing season and season and temperature temperature requirementsrequirements, tomatoes , tomatoes are set out as are set out as transplants transplants in Utahin Utah

•Due to their Due to their long growing long growing season and season and temperature temperature requirementsrequirements, tomatoes , tomatoes are set out as are set out as transplants transplants in Utahin Utah

•Our last spring frost date is Our last spring frost date is about May 10 and tomatoes about May 10 and tomatoes may be planted after that may be planted after that date date

•Our last spring frost date is Our last spring frost date is about May 10 and tomatoes about May 10 and tomatoes may be planted after that may be planted after that date date

A good transplant is as wide as it is A good transplant is as wide as it is high with a stem the size of a pencil. high with a stem the size of a pencil. It is slightly purple at the base with It is slightly purple at the base with dark green, thick foliagedark green, thick foliage

A good transplant is as wide as it is A good transplant is as wide as it is high with a stem the size of a pencil. high with a stem the size of a pencil. It is slightly purple at the base with It is slightly purple at the base with dark green, thick foliagedark green, thick foliage

• They should have 4 to They should have 4 to 6 true leaves and no 6 true leaves and no blossoms or fruit with blossoms or fruit with a good root systema good root system

• They should have 4 to They should have 4 to 6 true leaves and no 6 true leaves and no blossoms or fruit with blossoms or fruit with a good root systema good root system

•Plants in cell packs Plants in cell packs experience little or no experience little or no transplant shock transplant shock

•Plants in cell packs Plants in cell packs experience little or no experience little or no transplant shock transplant shock

• Tomato Tomato plants plants develop roots develop roots along the along the stem and so stem and so plant plant overgrown overgrown transplants transplants with the first with the first set of leaves set of leaves near the soil near the soil surfacesurface

• Tomato Tomato plants plants develop roots develop roots along the along the stem and so stem and so plant plant overgrown overgrown transplants transplants with the first with the first set of leaves set of leaves near the soil near the soil surfacesurface

• If transplants are in peat If transplants are in peat pots, remove the rim of the pots, remove the rim of the pot or be sure the rim is pot or be sure the rim is below the soil surface, so that below the soil surface, so that the soil ball will not dry out the soil ball will not dry out

• If transplants are in peat If transplants are in peat pots, remove the rim of the pots, remove the rim of the pot or be sure the rim is pot or be sure the rim is below the soil surface, so that below the soil surface, so that the soil ball will not dry out the soil ball will not dry out

•Tomatoes are warm-season Tomatoes are warm-season plants so plant them after plants so plant them after danger of frost danger of frost

•Tomatoes are warm-season Tomatoes are warm-season plants so plant them after plants so plant them after danger of frost danger of frost

•Temperature is an important Temperature is an important factor in tomato productionfactor in tomato production

•Temperature is an important Temperature is an important factor in tomato productionfactor in tomato production

• Blossoms drop Blossoms drop in early spring in early spring when daytime when daytime temperatures temperatures are warm, but are warm, but night night temperatures temperatures fall below 55 fall below 55 degrees F degrees F

• Blossoms drop Blossoms drop in early spring in early spring when daytime when daytime temperatures temperatures are warm, but are warm, but night night temperatures temperatures fall below 55 fall below 55 degrees F degrees F

•Daytime temperatures above Daytime temperatures above 90 degrees F and nights are 90 degrees F and nights are above 76 degrees F also above 76 degrees F also cause blossom dropcause blossom drop

•Daytime temperatures above Daytime temperatures above 90 degrees F and nights are 90 degrees F and nights are above 76 degrees F also above 76 degrees F also cause blossom dropcause blossom drop

Soil RequirementsSoil RequirementsSoil RequirementsSoil Requirements

•Tomatoes grow on many soil Tomatoes grow on many soil types, but prefer deep, loamy types, but prefer deep, loamy soil with organic matter and soil with organic matter and nutrients. nutrients.

•Tomatoes grow on many soil Tomatoes grow on many soil types, but prefer deep, loamy types, but prefer deep, loamy soil with organic matter and soil with organic matter and nutrients. nutrients.

•Tomatoes grow over a wide Tomatoes grow over a wide range of soil pHrange of soil pH

•Tomatoes grow over a wide Tomatoes grow over a wide range of soil pHrange of soil pH

FertilizerFertilizerFertilizerFertilizer

•Tomatoes need fertilizer, Tomatoes need fertilizer, especially phosphorusespecially phosphorus

•Tomatoes need fertilizer, Tomatoes need fertilizer, especially phosphorusespecially phosphorus

• Excess Excess nitrogen grows nitrogen grows extremely extremely vigorous vines vigorous vines but little fruitbut little fruit

• Excess Excess nitrogen grows nitrogen grows extremely extremely vigorous vines vigorous vines but little fruitbut little fruit

•Place a small handful of 16-Place a small handful of 16-16-8 slightly deeper and to 16-8 slightly deeper and to the side of the tomato when the side of the tomato when you transplant ityou transplant it

•Place a small handful of 16-Place a small handful of 16-16-8 slightly deeper and to 16-8 slightly deeper and to the side of the tomato when the side of the tomato when you transplant ityou transplant it

•Use a soluble, high Use a soluble, high phosphorus starter fertilizer, phosphorus starter fertilizer, at planting timeat planting time

•Use a soluble, high Use a soluble, high phosphorus starter fertilizer, phosphorus starter fertilizer, at planting timeat planting time

•There are more tomato There are more tomato cultivars available to the cultivars available to the home gardener than any home gardener than any other garden vegetableother garden vegetable

•There are more tomato There are more tomato cultivars available to the cultivars available to the home gardener than any home gardener than any other garden vegetableother garden vegetable

•Talk to local gardeners to Talk to local gardeners to find cultivars for your area or find cultivars for your area or trying one or two new trying one or two new cultivars each yearcultivars each year

•Talk to local gardeners to Talk to local gardeners to find cultivars for your area or find cultivars for your area or trying one or two new trying one or two new cultivars each yearcultivars each year

•When choosing cultivars, When choosing cultivars, keep in mind the different keep in mind the different types and ripening timestypes and ripening times

•When choosing cultivars, When choosing cultivars, keep in mind the different keep in mind the different types and ripening timestypes and ripening times

•Tomatoes are usually Tomatoes are usually categorized as early, mid-categorized as early, mid-season or lateseason or late

•Tomatoes are usually Tomatoes are usually categorized as early, mid-categorized as early, mid-season or lateseason or late

•Another consideration is Another consideration is whether the is has a whether the is has a determinate or indeterminate determinate or indeterminate growth habitgrowth habit

•Another consideration is Another consideration is whether the is has a whether the is has a determinate or indeterminate determinate or indeterminate growth habitgrowth habit

•Determinate (D) tomato Determinate (D) tomato plants grow to a certain plants grow to a certain height and then stopheight and then stop

•Determinate (D) tomato Determinate (D) tomato plants grow to a certain plants grow to a certain height and then stopheight and then stop

•They flower and set all the They flower and set all the fruit at once This is an fruit at once This is an advantage if the tomatoes are advantage if the tomatoes are grown for canninggrown for canning

•They flower and set all the They flower and set all the fruit at once This is an fruit at once This is an advantage if the tomatoes are advantage if the tomatoes are grown for canninggrown for canning

•IndeterminatIndeterminate tomato e tomato plants grow, plants grow, flower, and flower, and set fruit over set fruit over the entire the entire growing growing seasonseason

•IndeterminatIndeterminate tomato e tomato plants grow, plants grow, flower, and flower, and set fruit over set fruit over the entire the entire growing growing seasonseason

•Another Another characteristcharacteristic to look ic to look for when for when choosing choosing tomato tomato cultivars is cultivars is disease disease resistance resistance

•Another Another characteristcharacteristic to look ic to look for when for when choosing choosing tomato tomato cultivars is cultivars is disease disease resistance resistance

•Many cultivar names are Many cultivar names are followed by one or more followed by one or more letters indicating resistance letters indicating resistance to Verticillium wilt (V), to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), Tobacco Fusarium wilt (F), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (T) or Mosaic Virus (T) or nematodes (N) nematodes (N)

•Many cultivar names are Many cultivar names are followed by one or more followed by one or more letters indicating resistance letters indicating resistance to Verticillium wilt (V), to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), Tobacco Fusarium wilt (F), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (T) or Mosaic Virus (T) or nematodes (N) nematodes (N)

•Disease Disease resistance is resistance is an important an important consideratioconsideration, especially n, especially if your if your tomatoes tomatoes previously previously had diseases had diseases

•Disease Disease resistance is resistance is an important an important consideratioconsideration, especially n, especially if your if your tomatoes tomatoes previously previously had diseases had diseases

Recommended CultivarsRecommended CultivarsRecommended CultivarsRecommended Cultivars•One often-overlooked aspect One often-overlooked aspect

of accelerating the gardening of accelerating the gardening season is to select the best season is to select the best varieties for our areavarieties for our area

•One often-overlooked aspect One often-overlooked aspect of accelerating the gardening of accelerating the gardening season is to select the best season is to select the best varieties for our areavarieties for our area

Early:Early:Early:Early:•Moreton Hybrid (V)Moreton Hybrid (V)• Jet Star (VF)Jet Star (VF)•Pik-Red (VF)(D)Pik-Red (VF)(D)•Early Girl (VF) (D) Early Girl (VF) (D) •FantasticFantastic•Early GoliathEarly Goliath

•Moreton Hybrid (V)Moreton Hybrid (V)• Jet Star (VF)Jet Star (VF)•Pik-Red (VF)(D)Pik-Red (VF)(D)•Early Girl (VF) (D) Early Girl (VF) (D) •FantasticFantastic•Early GoliathEarly Goliath

Mid-season:Mid-season:Mid-season:Mid-season:•Heinz 1350 (VF)(D)Heinz 1350 (VF)(D)•Better Boy (VFN)Better Boy (VFN)•Burpee (VF)Burpee (VF)•Roma (VF)(D)(paste type)Roma (VF)(D)(paste type)•Floramerica (VF)Floramerica (VF)•Celebrity (VFN)(D)Celebrity (VFN)(D)•Hamson (D)Hamson (D)

•Heinz 1350 (VF)(D)Heinz 1350 (VF)(D)•Better Boy (VFN)Better Boy (VFN)•Burpee (VF)Burpee (VF)•Roma (VF)(D)(paste type)Roma (VF)(D)(paste type)•Floramerica (VF)Floramerica (VF)•Celebrity (VFN)(D)Celebrity (VFN)(D)•Hamson (D)Hamson (D)

Late: Late: Late: Late: • Supersonic B Supersonic B

(VF)(VF)• Supersteak Supersteak

(VFN)(D) (VFN)(D) • Beefmaster Beefmaster

(VFN) (VFN)

• Supersonic B Supersonic B (VF)(VF)

• Supersteak Supersteak (VFN)(D) (VFN)(D)

• Beefmaster Beefmaster (VFN) (VFN)

Yellow and Orange:Yellow and Orange:Yellow and Orange:Yellow and Orange:• JubileeJubilee•Sunray (F)Sunray (F)•Lemon Boy (VFN) Lemon Boy (VFN)

• JubileeJubilee•Sunray (F)Sunray (F)•Lemon Boy (VFN) Lemon Boy (VFN)

•Large vine with small fruitLarge vine with small fruit• Not suited to cage or container culture)Not suited to cage or container culture)

– Small Red CherrySmall Red Cherry– Large Red CherryLarge Red Cherry– Red PearRed Pear– Yellow PearYellow Pear– Sweet 100 Sweet 100 – Sun GoldSun Gold– Sun SugarSun Sugar– Sweet MillionSweet Million

•Large vine with small fruitLarge vine with small fruit• Not suited to cage or container culture)Not suited to cage or container culture)

– Small Red CherrySmall Red Cherry– Large Red CherryLarge Red Cherry– Red PearRed Pear– Yellow PearYellow Pear– Sweet 100 Sweet 100 – Sun GoldSun Gold– Sun SugarSun Sugar– Sweet MillionSweet Million

Dwarf vine with medium Dwarf vine with medium fruit: fruit:

Dwarf vine with medium Dwarf vine with medium fruit: fruit:

– PatioPatio– PixiePixie

– PatioPatio– PixiePixie

•Dwarf vine with small fruit: Dwarf vine with small fruit: – Tiny TimTiny Tim– PrestoPresto– Baxter's BushBaxter's Bush

Cherry Cherry

•Dwarf vine with small fruit: Dwarf vine with small fruit: – Tiny TimTiny Tim– PrestoPresto– Baxter's BushBaxter's Bush

Cherry Cherry

•Staked tomatoes require Staked tomatoes require little space, yet produce little space, yet produce prolificallyprolifically

•Staked tomatoes require Staked tomatoes require little space, yet produce little space, yet produce prolificallyprolifically

•Plant tomatoes without Plant tomatoes without stakes 3 feet apart in rows 5 stakes 3 feet apart in rows 5 feet apartfeet apart

•Plant tomatoes without Plant tomatoes without stakes 3 feet apart in rows 5 stakes 3 feet apart in rows 5 feet apartfeet apart

•Set staked plants 2 feet apart Set staked plants 2 feet apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart and in rows 3 to 4 feet apart and caged plants 30 to 36 inches caged plants 30 to 36 inches apartapart

•Set staked plants 2 feet apart Set staked plants 2 feet apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart and in rows 3 to 4 feet apart and caged plants 30 to 36 inches caged plants 30 to 36 inches apartapart

•Place stakes and cages at Place stakes and cages at planting time to avoid planting time to avoid disturbing the rootsdisturbing the roots

•Place stakes and cages at Place stakes and cages at planting time to avoid planting time to avoid disturbing the rootsdisturbing the roots

•The most frequent cause of The most frequent cause of poor fruit set and rough poor fruit set and rough tomatoes, particularly on the tomatoes, particularly on the fruit cluster, is low night fruit cluster, is low night temperatures temperatures

•The most frequent cause of The most frequent cause of poor fruit set and rough poor fruit set and rough tomatoes, particularly on the tomatoes, particularly on the fruit cluster, is low night fruit cluster, is low night temperatures temperatures

•Tomato plants do better Tomato plants do better when they are trained when they are trained uprightupright

•Tomato plants do better Tomato plants do better when they are trained when they are trained uprightupright

•Once the tomato plants are Once the tomato plants are established, apply mulch to established, apply mulch to conserve moisture and conserve moisture and suppress weed growthsuppress weed growth

•Once the tomato plants are Once the tomato plants are established, apply mulch to established, apply mulch to conserve moisture and conserve moisture and suppress weed growthsuppress weed growth

• Mulch unstaked Mulch unstaked plants with plants with clean straw, clean straw, black plastic or black plastic or other suitable other suitable material to material to keep the fruit keep the fruit off the ground off the ground and prevent and prevent rotting rotting

• Mulch unstaked Mulch unstaked plants with plants with clean straw, clean straw, black plastic or black plastic or other suitable other suitable material to material to keep the fruit keep the fruit off the ground off the ground and prevent and prevent rotting rotting

• Tomato: In Tomato: In general, row general, row covers are not covers are not recommended. recommended. Losing early Losing early crops from high crops from high temperatures is temperatures is the problem. the problem. Early fruit are Early fruit are frequently frequently small or absentsmall or absent

• Tomato: In Tomato: In general, row general, row covers are not covers are not recommended. recommended. Losing early Losing early crops from high crops from high temperatures is temperatures is the problem. the problem. Early fruit are Early fruit are frequently frequently small or absentsmall or absent

Baskets as CoversBaskets as CoversBaskets as CoversBaskets as Covers

•Where space is limited or soil Where space is limited or soil conditions poor, tomato conditions poor, tomato plants can be grown in plants can be grown in containers using a disease-containers using a disease-free planting mixfree planting mix

•Where space is limited or soil Where space is limited or soil conditions poor, tomato conditions poor, tomato plants can be grown in plants can be grown in containers using a disease-containers using a disease-free planting mixfree planting mix

•Select a five gallon container Select a five gallon container with good drainage. Pay with good drainage. Pay special attention to water and special attention to water and fertilizer needs of container-fertilizer needs of container-grown tomatoesgrown tomatoes

•Select a five gallon container Select a five gallon container with good drainage. Pay with good drainage. Pay special attention to water and special attention to water and fertilizer needs of container-fertilizer needs of container-grown tomatoesgrown tomatoes

•Keep the moisture supply Keep the moisture supply even if the soil is too dry or even if the soil is too dry or too wet, blossom-end rot too wet, blossom-end rot developsdevelops

•Keep the moisture supply Keep the moisture supply even if the soil is too dry or even if the soil is too dry or too wet, blossom-end rot too wet, blossom-end rot developsdevelops

• If too much water is applied If too much water is applied at one time, ripening fruit at one time, ripening fruit may splitmay split

• If too much water is applied If too much water is applied at one time, ripening fruit at one time, ripening fruit may splitmay split

• Prune staked Prune staked plants to a plants to a single stem single stem and tie them and tie them loosely to the loosely to the stakestake

• Prune staked Prune staked plants to a plants to a single stem single stem and tie them and tie them loosely to the loosely to the stakestake

• Prune Prune tomatoes by tomatoes by removing removing "suckers" that "suckers" that grow in the grow in the leaf axilsleaf axils

• Prune Prune tomatoes by tomatoes by removing removing "suckers" that "suckers" that grow in the grow in the leaf axilsleaf axils

• Staked and pruned tomatoes Staked and pruned tomatoes produce fewer but larger fruit produce fewer but larger fruit than caged or unsupported than caged or unsupported plantsplants

• Staked and pruned tomatoes Staked and pruned tomatoes produce fewer but larger fruit produce fewer but larger fruit than caged or unsupported than caged or unsupported plantsplants

• Let Let unsupported unsupported and caged and caged tomatoes tomatoes branch branch normallynormally

• Let Let unsupported unsupported and caged and caged tomatoes tomatoes branch branch normallynormally

• Plastic mulches Plastic mulches enhance enhance maturity and, maturity and, by warming the by warming the soil, also allow soil, also allow earlier planting. earlier planting. Black plastic Black plastic raises the soil raises the soil temperature 2 temperature 2 or 3 degreesor 3 degrees

• Plastic mulches Plastic mulches enhance enhance maturity and, maturity and, by warming the by warming the soil, also allow soil, also allow earlier planting. earlier planting. Black plastic Black plastic raises the soil raises the soil temperature 2 temperature 2 or 3 degreesor 3 degrees

• While the While the black plastic black plastic gets very gets very warm, the heat warm, the heat does not does not transmit well transmit well into the soil. into the soil. Clear plastic Clear plastic traps the heat traps the heat and warms the and warms the soilsoil

• While the While the black plastic black plastic gets very gets very warm, the heat warm, the heat does not does not transmit well transmit well into the soil. into the soil. Clear plastic Clear plastic traps the heat traps the heat and warms the and warms the soilsoil

Black PlasticBlack PlasticBlack PlasticBlack Plastic

•Clear plastic can raise soil Clear plastic can raise soil temperature by 10 degrees F. temperature by 10 degrees F. This allows earlier planting This allows earlier planting and crops mature 2-3 weeks and crops mature 2-3 weeks earlierearlier

•Clear plastic can raise soil Clear plastic can raise soil temperature by 10 degrees F. temperature by 10 degrees F. This allows earlier planting This allows earlier planting and crops mature 2-3 weeks and crops mature 2-3 weeks earlierearlier

Infrared Transmitting Infrared Transmitting PlasticPlastic

Infrared Transmitting Infrared Transmitting PlasticPlastic

• I have had some of my best I have had some of my best success from using Wall O’ success from using Wall O’ Waters with clear plastic Waters with clear plastic mulchmulch

• I have had some of my best I have had some of my best success from using Wall O’ success from using Wall O’ Waters with clear plastic Waters with clear plastic mulchmulch

•Organic mulches cool the soil Organic mulches cool the soil and are not used to allow and are not used to allow earlier plantingearlier planting

•Organic mulches cool the soil Organic mulches cool the soil and are not used to allow and are not used to allow earlier plantingearlier planting

•Plant protection devices keep Plant protection devices keep the plants and soils warmer the plants and soils warmer and protect the plants and and protect the plants and soils from the windsoils from the wind

•Plant protection devices keep Plant protection devices keep the plants and soils warmer the plants and soils warmer and protect the plants and and protect the plants and soils from the windsoils from the wind

•Sunshine and warm weather Sunshine and warm weather are all it takes to inspire you are all it takes to inspire you to get out and get planting to get out and get planting

•Sunshine and warm weather Sunshine and warm weather are all it takes to inspire you are all it takes to inspire you to get out and get planting to get out and get planting

•There's no crystal ball to There's no crystal ball to predict upcoming weather, so predict upcoming weather, so consider using season-consider using season-extending gardening extending gardening techniques to get a jump on techniques to get a jump on thingsthings

•There's no crystal ball to There's no crystal ball to predict upcoming weather, so predict upcoming weather, so consider using season-consider using season-extending gardening extending gardening techniques to get a jump on techniques to get a jump on thingsthings

•When planting the garden, When planting the garden, the weather isn't the only the weather isn't the only limiting factor limiting factor

•When planting the garden, When planting the garden, the weather isn't the only the weather isn't the only limiting factor limiting factor

•Soil temperatures are often Soil temperatures are often more restrictive than air more restrictive than air temperatures. Plants may temperatures. Plants may tolerate cool air tolerate cool air temperatures, but all seeds temperatures, but all seeds require certain soil require certain soil temperatures before they can temperatures before they can germinategerminate

•Soil temperatures are often Soil temperatures are often more restrictive than air more restrictive than air temperatures. Plants may temperatures. Plants may tolerate cool air tolerate cool air temperatures, but all seeds temperatures, but all seeds require certain soil require certain soil temperatures before they can temperatures before they can germinategerminate

•Warming the soil is one way Warming the soil is one way to accelerate the gardening to accelerate the gardening seasonseason

•Warming the soil is one way Warming the soil is one way to accelerate the gardening to accelerate the gardening seasonseason

•The only practical method to The only practical method to warm soil is to utilize the warm soil is to utilize the natural warmth of the sunnatural warmth of the sun

•The only practical method to The only practical method to warm soil is to utilize the warm soil is to utilize the natural warmth of the sunnatural warmth of the sun

•Soil that is well drained and Soil that is well drained and doesn't retain large amounts doesn't retain large amounts of water warms faster than of water warms faster than wet soilwet soil

• Improving drainage allows Improving drainage allows the soil to be worked earlier the soil to be worked earlier and allows it to warm fasterand allows it to warm faster

•Soil that is well drained and Soil that is well drained and doesn't retain large amounts doesn't retain large amounts of water warms faster than of water warms faster than wet soilwet soil

• Improving drainage allows Improving drainage allows the soil to be worked earlier the soil to be worked earlier and allows it to warm fasterand allows it to warm faster

•Raised beds are an excellent Raised beds are an excellent way to counteract cool, wet way to counteract cool, wet soil in the early springsoil in the early spring

•Raised beds are an excellent Raised beds are an excellent way to counteract cool, wet way to counteract cool, wet soil in the early springsoil in the early spring

•Wall o' waters allow the Wall o' waters allow the earliest plantingearliest planting

•Wall o' waters allow the Wall o' waters allow the earliest plantingearliest planting

•Advocates of Wall o' Waters Advocates of Wall o' Waters have had plants growing in have had plants growing in them for several weeksthem for several weeks

•Advocates of Wall o' Waters Advocates of Wall o' Waters have had plants growing in have had plants growing in them for several weeksthem for several weeks

•These ingenious devices hold These ingenious devices hold almost 25 pounds of wateralmost 25 pounds of water

•These ingenious devices hold These ingenious devices hold almost 25 pounds of wateralmost 25 pounds of water

•The water warms during the The water warms during the day and releases heat at day and releases heat at night. If temperatures get night. If temperatures get extremely cold, the water extremely cold, the water freezes and releases heatfreezes and releases heat

•The water warms during the The water warms during the day and releases heat at day and releases heat at night. If temperatures get night. If temperatures get extremely cold, the water extremely cold, the water freezes and releases heatfreezes and releases heat

•This protects and warms the This protects and warms the plants inside and greatly plants inside and greatly accelerates both planting accelerates both planting times and maturitytimes and maturity

•This protects and warms the This protects and warms the plants inside and greatly plants inside and greatly accelerates both planting accelerates both planting times and maturitytimes and maturity

•Hot caps give some Hot caps give some protection from the wind and protection from the wind and cold temperaturescold temperatures

•Hot caps give some Hot caps give some protection from the wind and protection from the wind and cold temperaturescold temperatures

•This protection is very This protection is very limited and also offers limited and also offers minimal soil warmingminimal soil warming

•This protection is very This protection is very limited and also offers limited and also offers minimal soil warmingminimal soil warming

•Planting can be accelerated Planting can be accelerated only a week or two with hot only a week or two with hot caps, milk jugs or similar caps, milk jugs or similar devicesdevices

•Planting can be accelerated Planting can be accelerated only a week or two with hot only a week or two with hot caps, milk jugs or similar caps, milk jugs or similar devicesdevices

•The use of protective The use of protective coverings to produce a coverings to produce a miniature greenhouse effect miniature greenhouse effect is certainly not a new ideais certainly not a new idea

•The use of protective The use of protective coverings to produce a coverings to produce a miniature greenhouse effect miniature greenhouse effect is certainly not a new ideais certainly not a new idea

Tomatoes are red, yellow, Tomatoes are red, yellow, orange, white and pinkorange, white and pink

Tomatoes are red, yellow, Tomatoes are red, yellow, orange, white and pinkorange, white and pink

•Fruits are globe, flat globe, Fruits are globe, flat globe, cylindrical, cherry, plum or cylindrical, cherry, plum or pear-shaped and weigh from pear-shaped and weigh from less than 1 oz.to more than 2 less than 1 oz.to more than 2 lbs.lbs.

•Fruits are globe, flat globe, Fruits are globe, flat globe, cylindrical, cherry, plum or cylindrical, cherry, plum or pear-shaped and weigh from pear-shaped and weigh from less than 1 oz.to more than 2 less than 1 oz.to more than 2 lbs.lbs.

The End The End The End The End Thanks for Coming Thanks for Coming

and Happy and Happy GrowingGrowing

Thanks for Coming Thanks for Coming and Happy and Happy GrowingGrowing