Dear Gardeners, Welcome to the Special Edition “Tomato Gardening Made Easy” issue of Food Gardening Magazine! There’s nothing quite like the first bite of a sun-warmed tomato fresh from your own garden. That perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, the juice running down your chin, the aroma that transports you to summer even in the… READ MORE
I'll admit it, I've been that person scrambling to the local farm stand in May, desperately seeking tomato transplants after my seedlings failed. Again. But after years of bringing home potentially diseased plants (and once, a horrifying infestation of spider mites), I finally committed to mastering the art and science of growing tomatoes from seed.… READ MORE
That's not entirely true. There are several ways to determine which tomatoes are the sweetest tomatoes to plant. Taste tests just happen to be my favorite, for probably obvious reasons. But you can also ask around, read blogs and articles like this one, or explore something called the Brix rating, which I'll get to shortly. … READ MORE
Tomatoes are a beloved summer crop, but growing them during a particularly rainy season can be challenging. Last summer was particularly wet all over the USA, and it's been a bit muddy for some regions this summer too. Excess moisture can lead to various problems, such as waterlogged soil, fungal diseases, and fruit splitting. However,… READ MORE
Tomatoes are a staple in home gardens, and when paired with the right companion plants, they can thrive like never before. Companion planting is an age-old technique that enhances growth, deters pests, and even improves the flavor of your tomatoes. With 2025 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan for a… READ MORE
Tomato plants are self-pollinating, because their flowers have both male and female parts. Most plants aren’t routinely exposed to natural cross-pollination, however, if a bee or other insect were to access some of the flower, cross-pollination could occur between two differing varieties of plants. Even the wind or a strong breeze can cross-pollinate tomatoes that are located near one another. READ MORE
If you're new to vegetable gardening, you might see the six-pack of tomato sprouts at your local gardening center and think, "Wow, what a deal!" What you might not realize is just how big tomato plants grow. I'm 5'6," and my indeterminate tomato plants are usually at least as tall as me. Letting your tomato… READ MORE
Do you love salsa? If so, you're definitely not alone. This delicious Mexican dish is enjoyed by millions of people all around the world. And if you're looking to make the best salsa possible, it's important to use the right ingredients. In this article, we will discuss the best types of tomatoes for salsa and… READ MORE
When the summer starts to wind down, and the early frost warnings start to kick in before you settle in for a long winter's nap, you probably have a few fledgling tomato plants left. If they're like mine, they're probably not pretty; a bit of disease starts to crop up, leaves are beginning to change… READ MORE
Can you eat green tomatoes? Raw? Cooked? Diced into a salsa? Oh, this question is as old as time. What else would we bicker about at our gardening clubs, if not green tomatoes? I don't know if you've ever been a part of a social media group for gardening where a thread turns into something… READ MORE
One of the fun things about tomatoes is that you can harvest them before they’re actually ripe; those are the green tomatoes that you so commonly see in southern cuisine, battered in cornmeal and fried, or pickled, or even turned into salsa. Every tomato starts off green and then ripens to its intended color like red, yellow, orange, and sometimes even green, like Green Zebra. READ MORE
Grocery store tomatoes don’t stand a chance compared to the fresh homegrown variety. From cherry tomatoes grown in containers to heirloom and hybrid beefsteak varieties, nothing beats a tomato grown at home. That is unless you’re unlucky and find yellowing leaves on your tomato plants. Before throwing in the proverbial towel and sending your tomato… READ MORE
I don't like to write about vegetable blight. Usually, when someone starts asking about it, it's already too late. That's especially true in smaller gardens where you may only have a few tomato plants, which could be infected before you realize it. Fortunately, there's more than one kind of blight. I know that sounds strange.… READ MORE
The end of summer signals the beginning of tomato season! So many delicious tomato recipes. And consider canning tomatoes if you have an abundance. But for now, celebrate the fruits (yes fruits) of your labor and the fact that you’ve made it to harvest season. You can’t wait to get your hands on some heirloom… READ MORE
Deep in the volumes of garden lore, there are mysteries and codes, surprises and stories. Many have fascinated gardeners for years. Yet one remains mysterious: Why do tomatoes split? Your vines are growing tall and green, the flowers bud, and little round tomatoes appear. They're perfect tiny green spheres at first. Slowly they grow and… READ MORE
Let's be honest – we've all been there. One day your tomato plants are the picture of health, and the next they're doing a convincing impression of plant zombies with mysterious spots, curling leaves, and a generally distressing appearance that sends you panic-googling "tomato apocalypse causes???" at midnight. But what if I told you your… READ MORE
