Tomatoes

Tomatoes need no introduction. Even if you only have space for a modest container, you can grow a plant without much effoet in any hardiness zone. Wih more garden space you can easily grow enough to supply fresh tomotes all summer, with enough to perserve, dry, or freeze for the winter. I make and can pasta sauce that I give as gifts at Christmas time and have enough left to keep a herty supply at my house.
SOW:
If you need only a few plants , or you want serveral varieties, buy plants-but wait until the soil is warm enough to plant right away. Look for stocky plants with dark green foliage that is free of any obvious pests or deseases. To start from seeds using your own disease -free plants, just throw a couple of over ripe fruit on the ground and look forward to seedlings.I am growing Herloom tomatoes for the first time this year . They come in a variey of shapes, flavors, and colors.
GROW:
Tomotes need a rich , well drained soil, so work in compost or well rotten organic matter before planting. I always dig a very deep hole, sprinkle some fertilizer in the hole add some soil and then plant my tomatoes. I plant very deep covering the first couple lower branches as that makes for a strong root system and a stronger, healthier plant.
HARVEST:
Once the skin reaches its mature color, the fruit is ready to harvest. Pick ripe fruit every other day when they are in full flow.If you can't eat them all right away they'll keep for at lest a week in the refrigerator. Let them warm to room temperature to appreciate the full flavor. Pick unripe fruit left on the plants when the first fall frosts are due. Bring them indoors and put them on a sunny windowsill to continue ripening.