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Organic tomato gardening is a popular backyard hobby for many home gardeners. Since this crop is
cultivated naturally and without using chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides, it costs higher
than regular tomatoes.
Below are 6 of the best tips to help you out:
Location - Organic tomato gardening requires a lot of sun - around 8 to 12
hours per day to enhance plant growth, and to keep the soil and the roots warm. If you have indoor
organic tomatoes, it is best to take them outside during the day in order for them to absorb
sunlight and heat.
Temperature - Organic tomato plants favor warm soil of at least 55 degrees
Fahrenheit during the day. If it gets cooler at night time, you may need to cover your tomato
plants with buckets or sheets overnight. During very hot summers, with temperatures of over 90
degrees, are quite difficult for tomato plants. Provide shade to your tomato plants to block the
sun's scorching rays during daytime.
Watering - Regular watering is important for organic tomato gardening; or else
rot diseases and sporadic growth of the fruit might occur. You need to water the tomato plants
twice a week, with the soil soaked within 6 to 8 inches. You'll need to water the tomatoes more
often if the temperature is extremely hot.
Fertilizer - Organic tomato gardening needs natural organic fertilizers that
don't have chemicals in them. You should provide your tomato plants fertilizers that are high in
nitrogen such as seaweed, composted grass/weed clippings, manure and fish emulsion.
Pest control - You can use natural enemies of the pests that lurk in your
garden. Natural enemies of caterpillars and aphids that destroy tomato plants are lizards, birds,
ladybugs and frogs. Staking your plants to keep them off the ground can protect them against
insects and worms that live in there.
Mulching - Use black plastic around your tomato plants to keep the soil warm
and to prevent weed growth. This also assists in directing water to the roots.
Organic tomato gardening can be a great hobby and source of income at the same time. No need to
pay the high price for the much-coveted fruit once you have it in your own backyard.
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