Growing Tomatoes

GROW YOUR OWN TOMATOES

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Tomatoes are easy to grow. Provide them with enough water, fertile soil, and sunlight, and you will be harvesting your own tomatoes that are far better than store-bought tomatoes They are so simple to grow and you don't even need a garden. Follow these easy steps and you will soon have garden of your own with juicy tomatoes.

GROWING METHODS

• At first you should decide whether you want to grow from seed or grow from store-bought plants. 
• Growing from seed allows you to choose from many more varieties, as your local nurseries may have only a few different tomato varieties to choose from.

GROWING FROM SEEDS

• You will need to start seeds indoors several weeks before you plant them in the garden.Fill a small container with damp seed starting mix.
•  Plant your seeds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep. Firm the mix lightly to ensure that the seed is in direct contact with the moist mix. 
• The seed needs to absorb moisture during the germination process. Keep your trays moist and warm to speed germination.
•  Loosely fit plastic wrap over the tops of the trays, to keep water in but still allow for air circulation.Light is not required to germinate seeds.
• In anywhere from 3 to 15 days, you should start to see tiny seedlings emerge.
• When your seedlings are up and the first 2 leaves (cotyledon leaves) start to open, you will need to put your seedlings under a light.
• Once two tree leaves occur you can transfer them to your garden.

Growing From Young Plants

• Plants are available from garden centers in spring and are a good bet where you can't maintain the right conditions for germination and growing on, or if you don’t have the space to raise tomato seedlings. 
• Young plants can usually be planted outdoors straight away.

Planting Seedlings

• The garden should be prepared ahead of time, with compost or other organic matter tilled in if necessary. 
• Dig a trench about 1 foot long, with one end deeper than the other. 
• Carefully remove the plant from its pot and loosen the root ball. Place the root ball in the deeper end of the trench, and lay the seedling on its side with the stem in the trough.
• Water regularly to keep the soil/compost evenly moist. Feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser, changing to a high potash one once the first fruits start to set. 
• Remove yellowing leaves below developing fruit trusses.

Harvesting Tomatoes

• You should start getting ripe fruit anywhere from 2 to 4 months after planting out in the garden. 
• Start picking when the fruit is ripe and fully coloured.

Few Health Benefits Of  Tomatoes

• Prevent DNA Damage-Tomatoes are high in important antioxidants such as vitamin C and Vitamin A. These vitamins work to fend of DNA damage from free radicals.
• Counters the Effect of Cigarette Smoke: The two main components of tomatoes, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, fight against nitrosamines which are produced in the body and are the main carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.
• Prevents Gallstones: Regular consumption of tomato can also dissolve gallstones.
• Prevents Urinary Tract Infections: Tomato intake also reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections as well as bladder cancer.
• For Healthy Skin: Tomato aids in maintaining healthy teeth, bones, hair and skin. Topical application of tomato juice is known to cure severe sunburns. Daily consumption of tomato protects the skin against UV-induced erythema. Tomato ranks high in preparation of anti-aging products
• Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals: A single tomato can provide about 40% of daily vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which acts against cancer-causing free radicals. It also contains abundant vitamin A and potassium as well as iron.

Fresh Tomato salad Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 to 7 medium-size fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno chile pepper (stems, ribs, & seeds removed), very finely diced
• Coarse salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 pound pasta of your choice
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Preparation

• In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, chile pepper, salt, and lime juice. If your salsa mixture is too hot, add some additional chopped tomato. If not hot enough, carefully add a little more chile pepper. Let sit for 1 hour for the flavors to combine. NOTE: If too much tomato juice settles at the bottom, just pour some off before tossing with the pasta. Remember that the pasta will absorb juice as it sits.
• Cook pasta according to package directions. When pasta is done, drain and rinse with cold water; draining well before adding the tomato mixture.
• Transfer drained pasta into a large serving bowl. Toss together pasta and the tomato mixture. Just before serving, place the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
• Always serve pasta salads at room temperature so the flavors will really shine. If you must refrigerate the salad, make sure to return it to room temperature before serving