Tomatoes 101

[Anonymous]

It appears you are all veteran gardeners. Would it be offensive to ask a Tomato Growing 101?

We finally planted some tomatoes about 6 weeks ago. Got the "cages" at the hardware store. They are now almost 2 feet tall and flowering. How/When/Why do you stake them? We now have about 15-20 small green tomatoes per plant. What else do we need to do to help them grow? How long will it be to get to a ripe tomato?

[Anonymous]

I don't stake my tomatoes in cages. But they're all no bigger than plums.

[Anonymous]

1. It is only June 8. If you planted 6 weeks ago you got lucky. 2. You should cage at the time you plant (if you go that route). I tend to stick with stakes. If you haven't caged yet you will have to be careful not to damage the plants as you slip the cages over them.
3. Mulch to keep down diseases from splashing water. Don't water from overhead. Water consistently.
4. Time it takes depends on the variety. Google is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Google the variety. It will tell you the nature of the plant-deteminate or indeterminate, and the days to maturity
I cage my plants, though I have extra-large, sturdy metal cages. The ones sold at the hardware stores are too puny for the large, indeterminate plants I grow.
Add some organic matter like Leafgro to the beds. I use Tomato-tone, but any balanced fertilizer for vegetables will do. Adding some calcium to the soil will help prevent blossom end rot.
Put down a good layer of mulch, preferably straw or hay if you can find it. The place I buy my plants from recommends 5 inches of mulch, but I do about 3 inches.
Try to avoid splashing the leaves while watering to avoid spreading fungal disease.

[Anonymous]

Tomatoes love hot and humid weather so give it a bit more time for summer to kick in.

Curious how mature/big your tomato plant was when you purchased it that you are already getting tomotoes...so jealous.

[Anonymous]

I purchased 2 seedlings on Mothers Day, planted them a week later and now they are 3 ft tall and have lots of fruit forming! So excited.

I also have a bunch that I grew from seed, and those are so small it's embarrassing. Maybe they would be ready to plant next year!

[Anonymous]

OP,

You'll probably get some answers but there's a tomato 101 in July at Agricultural History Farm Park that I thought you'd find fun:
http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/programs/grow_it_eat_it/2014%20july%2026%20flyer.pdf