7 Common Mistakes in Tomato Gardening

As winter approaches, many urban hobby gardeners are planting tomato seedlings in pots. While regular care like fertilizer, watering, and sunlight is essential, avoiding a few small mistakes is just as important:

1. Weak Seedlings
Even if everything else is right, weak seedlings will not produce good yields. Tomato plants need to produce a lot of sugar to bear fruit, so a weak plant won’t perform well. Flowers will also fall off easily. When buying seedlings, make sure the leaves aren’t curled or the stems yellow and diseased.

2. Planting Depth
Healthy seedlings should be planted at least three inches deep to help them grow stronger. This allows the roots to spread well and the plant to thrive.

3. Overcrowding
Tomato plants don’t like crowding. Since they produce a lot of food through their leaves, each leaf needs access to sunlight. Overcrowding blocks light, reducing fruit production. Each seedling needs a pot of at least 12 inches in diameter.

4. Watering the Leaves
When watering, avoid pouring water directly on the leaves. It’s enough to water the base of the plant. If you’re away for a few days, you can use a simple dripping system using a saline set and a large water jar.

5. Not Supporting the Plant
As the plant grows, it must be gently tied to a sturdy stake. Otherwise, it will bend over and stop producing fruit, and the leaves will die. Tie it gradually as it grows, ensuring the ties are not too tight.

6. Not Pruning
Pruning is essential for healthy tomato plants. Without it, nutrients will be wasted on unnecessary stems and leaves. When the first flowers bloom, carefully remove the tiny shoots that grow between two main stems at a 45-degree angle. This encourages more fruit production.

7. Leaving Ripe Tomatoes on the Plant
Once tomatoes start ripening, pick them as soon as possible. Don’t wait for all to ripen together. Ripe tomatoes left too long will rot quickly and may infect the entire plant.