Edibles – Vegetables – Tomato

Tomato 

 Botanical name: solanum lycopersicum 

Beginner friendly?: moderate 

Average size at maturity: 3-10 ft in height with a 5 ft spread 

Bloom time:  spring, summer 

Hardy zone:  zones 2-10 

Flower color: yellow, white 

Foliage color:  green 

Growth rate:  can reach fully mature size in first growing season 

Pruning instructions: during the spring and summer, remove any stems that appear weak or diseased to maintain the health of the plant 

Propagation methods:  propagate by seed sowing in the spring 

Landscape use:  vegetable gardens, culinary gardens 

Light needs:  6 hours of sun per day 

Special features: heat tolerant, natural insect repellent, culinary plant 

Watering instructions: allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions :  fertilize with compost at the time of planting, and use a slow- release, organic liquid foliage fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, as well as a fruit fertilizer that is high in potassium every 3 months 

Best time to plant:  spring or summer 

Best type of soil: loam 

Companion plants: carrots, asparagus, chives, onions, dill, cucumber 

Toxicity level: toxic for pets if ingested in large amounts, but non-toxic for humans 

Invasive species: no