How to Grow and Care for Tomato

Tomato, also known as Garden tomato, Tomato plant, Love Apple, Beefsteak tomato, Cherry tomato

Tomato generally requires basic horticultural care making it an accessible plant for gardeners. Key care requirements include consistent watering and full sunlight exposure to thrive. Special care should be taken to support the stem as tomato bears fruit, using stakes or cages to prevent branches from breaking. Regular monitoring for pests such as tomato hornworms is crucial to maintain plant health.

Watering schedule: Twice per week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Tomato

Toughness	Medium
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Annual, Perennial
Watering Schedule	Twice per week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Summer
Hardiness Zones	2-10
Toxicity	Toxic to Pets

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Varieties of Tomato

Tomato 'Chocolate Cherry'

The tomato 'Chocolate Cherry' is either a purplish-red or black version of the cherry tomato, with a sweet and tart flavor. This plant gets its name for being dark and sweet like chocolate. This tomato is good as a snack and can be a sweet addition to pasta or salad. Gardeners love that its vines are disease-resistant.

Cherry tomato

Cherry tomato is a smaller yet sweeter variety of garden tomato that can be eaten straight off the vine. This sweet treat was cultivated from the cherry tomato, and is named for its small size. This cultivar is a favorite amongst gardeners because one plant can produce up to 6kg of tomatoes.

Tomato 'Black Russian'

The tomato 'Black Russian' is a bushy tomato plant that is resistant to rabbits. This cultivar produces round, medium-sized tomatoes with thin skins, whose color ranges from dark red to black. The tomato 'Black Russian' gets its name from that dark color, and because the type originated in Russia.

Tomato 'Sungold'

Tomato 'Sungold' is a delicious cherry tomato variety. It's known for its sweet taste and golden color. The compact, indeterminate plants grow well in containers and have high yields. They are perfect for adding a pop of color to salads or snacking straight from the vine. Interestingly, the 'Sungold' tomato has been awarded numerous horticultural awards, including the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Tomato 'Beefmaster'

Tomato 'Beefmaster' is a garden favorite that packs a punch. With its large, meaty fruits, it's perfect for gardeners seeking an abundant harvest. This variety offers both economic and culinary value, making it a popular choice. Keep in mind that this tomato plant may attract insects and birds to your garden, contributing to a thriving ecosystem. Enjoy the bountiful harvest and savor the taste of homegrown goodness.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Tomato

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More General Info About Tomato

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Tomato presents an erect or ascending growth habit, featuring light to dark green stems that range from 3 to 10 feet (91 to 305 cm) in height and 1 to 4 feet (30 to 122 cm) in width. These stems are adorned with conspicuous glandular hairs that impart a sticky texture. The leaves of tomato are alternate, compound, and densely hairy, spanning 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 cm) in length with 5 to 9 leaflets, each leaflet approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and displaying serrated edges. The flowers are distinctive, small, and star-shaped, with a yellow hue and five lobes. The fruit is an edible berry that varies widely in size, shape, and color, according to the specific variety or cultivar.