Thoughts about growing Tomatoes in Encino

Over the years I have leant a few things about growing tomatoes. I don’t claim to be an expert by any means, but here is what works for me.

Sun – tomatoes can never get enough. I thought in the early years that 3-4 hours of sun might be enough. It wasn’t. That said, once the heat of summer kicks in you may want to ensure a little protection to avoid the fruit getting sunburnt.

Fertilizer – I neglected this in the early years and the plants never grew big enough to sustain lots of fruit. Once I fertilized regularly the trick was knowing when to stop so that fruit would appear.

Compost and Mulch – I dig in a deep mix of compost and potting soil (not planter mix or amendments) and then mulch several inches. I think both are essential.

Water – twice a week seems to be enough but it has to be deep. Do water them too frequently though. Big mistake.

Leave them alone – patience is needed, especially when there are many flowers but no fruit. The fruit eventually appears. Plants vary a lot in their rhythms. I don’t bother with all that advice about pinching the flowers and pruning the shoots.

Don’t plant them all at once. I plant them one or two at a time in order to stagger the yield and to compensate for the wide fluctuations in temperature we experience every spring.

Oh, and it’s a lot of work!