Growing tomatoes ( Solanum Lycopersicon ) in Southern California depend on where you live . Due to its geographic diverseness , gardening in * * southerly California cross many climates * * , from good deal with snow-white winter to coastal subtropic areas that are mostly frost - loose . The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone go from moth-eaten 5a to ardent 10b . Rainfall also varies , with intermediate yearly rainfall as humbled as 3 inches in midland deserts to over 30 inch in great deal . Although basic Lycopersicon esculentum - get is standardized anywhere , you ’ll postulate to correct for your local climate and growing conditions .
Step 1
Tomatoes are warm perennials grown as yearly , since they ’re audacious only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 through 11 . Forcold winter areas , tomatoes have a short summertime grow season , and late - mature potpourri may not have time to ripen , so select early on - maturing varieties . These are also suited for arena withcool summer , or often foggy or cloudy coastal area . Forhot summer Interior , adjudicate heat - resistant miscellanea . In mild - winter , frost detached - orbit , you’re able to coiffure out love apple plants in wintertime months .
Tomato Growth Form
Many short - time of year tomatoes havedeterminate maturation , which think the plant stops arise after it forms fruit , reach a shorter , bushy flora where the tomato all mature at once . Vining , large tomatoes haveindeterminate development , continuing to develop until frost or disease kills them .
Step 2
Tomato Varieties
Forcool , short - season area , moot determinate " Siberian " tomato plant , maturate in 60 to 70 days and maturate 6 to 8 feet tall . Forcoastal areas , attempt determinate " former Girl , " which ripen in 65 days and grows to 18 in tall . Tomatoes quit setting fruits inhot summer areaswhen daytime temperatures are over 85 degree F. Heat - large-minded varieties can help prolong fruit set , with " Solar Fire " producing yield in 75 solar day . The determinate tomato imprint a Dubya 4 to 5 metrical unit tall . Heirloom tomatoes with great taste sensation such as indeterminate " Brandywine " do best in areas with longer uprise seasons . cerise - pink 14 - ounce tomatoes mature in 85 day .
Getting Started
Start out either by turn tomato from seed or by buy already started plants . start from seed allow a great choice of varietiesthan you ’d get in seedling love apple available in stores . However , if you have determine space for seed lift or limited time , purchasing young plants makes sense .
When to Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow tomato seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost appointment for your arena . This varies widely look on your hardiness zone . Forapproximate indoor seed - sowing guidelines , the University of California Extension suggests November to December for desert vale , mid - January to mid - February for home valleys , and March to mid - June for coastal areas . In frigid locations , time are March through April .
Sowing Seeds
Sow seeds1/4 inch deeply and about 1 inch apartin clean nursery flat tire with drainage holes . Use a well - enfeeble soilless mix such as half peat and half perlite . water system the container well with a docile atomizer and place the flat in a sunny location . Seeds sprout in about seven mean solar day if the grease temperature is 75 to 85 degrees F. Sprouting slows at cool temperatures , consider two hebdomad at 60 degrees F. Keep the potting admixture moist but not soggy .
Transplanting Seedlings
When seedling spud , they have a long , slender pair of source leaves and then true leaves appear . cautiously transpose the seedling into pots of their own when they havetwo sets of truthful leaves . you may habituate peat pots or container such as plastic cups with drain holes slue in the bottom . Use the same potting mix as for germination . water system the seedling until water comes out the drainage holes and replace them in a cheery location . distance tomatoes according to their matured size , with bush types at least 2 feet apart and more sprawling varieties 3 to 4 foot apart .
Hardening Off Seedlings
Whether you ’ve raised your own or purchased them , industrial plant seedlings into the garden or into containers when all danger of freeze is over . * * bit by bit get seedlings used to garden conditions , * * called hardening off , by putting the plants where they will grow for a few more hour each sidereal day over a full point of seven to 14 day . Plants should have about four to six sets of true leaves . Times suggested by the University of California Extension for transplantation are May for cold - winter sphere , December through March in desert vale , March through May in interior valleys , and April through mid - July for the coast .
Planting Seedlings
Provide fertile , well - draining dirt plentiful in organic material . grok a trap prominent than the pot size . approximation how bass the hole should be by the individual seedling . Bury the prow so only the top three sets of leaves are above reason , removing any leaves that would be bury . The stem form new origin for strong growth . Water the plant well , sop the dirt around the roots . If the Lycopersicon esculentum will want musical accompaniment , put the Lycopersicon esculentum batting cage or bet in situation .
Light and Watering Conditions
Tomato plants needsix to eight hours of sun daily . In area with cooler summer and short growing seasons , give plants as much sun as possible . In raging summer areas , tomatoes benefit from good afternoon shadiness . Tomatoes involve about 1 inch of water weekly . Keep the soil moist but not soggy . * * Occasional deep waterings are better than more frequent shallow ones . * * In arid , spicy summer areas , tomato may necessitate watering several time a workweek . Container works may need daily lachrymation . Mulch tomatoes with 3 to 4 inches of constituent material such as Gunter Wilhelm Grass snip or chaff to conserve moisture .
Frost Protection
In colder areas , prepare toprotect youthful plants from potential late frost . Put container in a frost - free expanse or cover garden plant life with blankets draped over the tomato cage so they do n’t concern the foliage . For diminished industrial plant , apply a plastic jug with the bottom contract out .
Fertilizer Needs
It ’s a mistake to fertilize tomato plant early in life with too - rich a nitrogen reference , which encourage vegetative growth over yield formation . When imbed tomato seedling , add3 tablespoonful of an organic plant food such as 3 - 4 - 6to the bottom of the planting golf hole and dig it in . Do n’t fecundate again until flowers form , and then lend oneself 3 tablespoonful of fertilizer per plant double a month . Scatter the fertilizer around the plants , keeping it away from the stem , mix it into the top layer of soil , and weewee thoroughly .
References
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