My Top Methods for Growing Tomatoes in the Puget Sound.
Warning: I write from my own personal experience and research only. I have no other qualifications. I have just found that the gardening world can be overwhelming and I've always wanted a "how to" method for my gardening projects - given in laymen terms and specific to my Puget Sound environment.
1. Location, Location, Location!
After a couple years experimenting in our yard, I prefer the container method of growing tomatoes. If spring rains dominate over sunshine, like they did in 2011, then tomatoes can always stay the night inside with you. They like to be warm. Additionally, you can move the container to the sunniest spot in your yard - tomatoes LOVE morning sun. If you opt to plant in a raised bed, remember to stake the vines as they grow. 2. Growing Seedlings Are Not for the Faint of Heart
It's a cute idea - grow tomatoes from seed. But I am not so committed to see this idea through to entirety. I live in a rainy, cloudy environment and there is one, maybe two weekends a year where you can bet on sunshine. To grow successful tomato seedlings here requires either a green house or ample indoor space where you can set up a table with hot lamps pointed at the starts.
My bashful conclusion...purchase organic tomato starts from a local nursery for a couple bucks in mid-May.
3. Good Soil
Be willing to pay an extra couple dollars for a potting soil that contains proper organic ingredients such as compost, mulch and good old-fashioned bat guano. I enjoy this brand. I like that it has some natural "fertilizers" in it as well <<beware: I depart and jump on a bit of a soapbox here, and it's fine to disagree!>> since I get tired of people saying, "Fertilize your tomatoes or you'll be sorry..." I don't enjoy synthetic things, so I naturally don't care to put synthetic fertilizer in my garden. One day I hope to make my own potting soil, but until then I am happy with the ingredients in the brand I recommend. I have found that quality organic soils can't be found at chain stores but are readily available at locally-owned nurseries. Yes, it costs a little more but I offer my adage of "Pay now, or pay later" when it comes to such things. Tomatoes are one of the top ten foods most vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. And because we don't fully know what pesticides are capable of, I certainly would rather pay a little more now to garden organically.
4. Water...daily?
Initially, yes, to establish a good root system. But don't overdo it! Also, speaking of root systems, be sure to plant as much of the big stem as possible in the soil - ideally it will break into dozens of little root systems to make a healthy, vibrant plant.
You can check to see if your plants might need water simply by poking your finger into the soil about two inches - if the soil is dry to the touch, then it is time to water.
5. Size Matters
Because I have opted for a container method, I use plants that yield small tomatoes. My favorites have been Patio or 100's.
6. Enjoy the Process
Until I had my son in 2009, I was so concerned about doing everything right. Raising him has challenged me to live in the moment and focus on enjoying the activity rather than the "correct" process. The most important element of gardening at our house are the people involved. My toddler follows me all over the yard and mimics me in the garden. He snatches my garden tools and squeals as he rakes them over bushes, he grabs fistfuls of dirt and tosses it on attractive weeds - quite pleased with himself that he has "planted" something, and he snatches my seed markers from our veggie rows in our garden bed (this can be slightly inconvenient so I have creatively found three different methods for marking my seeds...if he removes one marker I always have at least two other ways of identifying my seeds). My favorite thing he does in our garden is to shove his whole face in to a flower and take a deep sniff.
I am thrilled for the day when he can better understand the whole planting process and share in my exuberance of seedlings sprouting up from the dirt.
Hope to post photos later of a successful harvest!
