Heirloom tomato plants are a wonderful addition to any garden. The flavor and nutritional value of this fruit far exceed anything you will find in your local supermarket. Whether you choose to grow your tomatoes from seeds or from already established plants, replanting is something you will need to be careful in doing to ensure your plants survive and flourish.
Heirloom Tomato Plants
If choosing to grow your heirloom tomato plants from seeds, it is best to begin seed germination about 8 weeks before the last frost is due in your area. If you are working with a time frame that won’t allow this, it is better to start with already established plants instead. Either option is going to require transfer and replanting at some point.
Soil quality is very important if you want plants to grow well. By adding compost or other nutrient rich ingredients to the soil you will be using, you are providing an adequate amount of nutrition for each plant to feed from. Heirloom tomato plants tend to yield better quality fruit when planted in organic materials, free from commercially produced chemicals.
Sunlight is something else you will need to provide an adequate supply of if you want your plants to grow well and bear fruit. The location you choose should have more than enough natural sunlight without any assistance on your part. This means artificial light should not be needed at anytime.
During the replanting process, make sure you put each plant deep enough into the soil for it to continue growing. It is best to bury the root system up to the first set of leaves so new roots can begin to grow. Space each plant about 18 to 20 inches apart, if you are planting in a single container. If you are replanting to individual containers, as the plants grow you may need to move them to even bigger pots as they outgrow the ones they are in.
After replanting, hydration is a critical step. Water each plant thoroughly, leaving the surrounding soil damp but not so much that water is standing on top of the soil. Only water your heirloom tomato plants as need. Over watering can draw bugs, bring about diseased or even kill the plant completely.
It is a good idea to place a stake next to each plant as soon as you have replanted them. This additional support from the beginning of the growing process will allow each plant to grow taller and stronger. Many gardeners choose to use a wooden stake with a string to tie the plant to it. Be careful when driving the stakes into the ground, however, since you don’t want to accidentally damage the root system. Once damaged, most plants will not continue to grow.
Heirloom Tomato Plants – The Conclusion
Tomato gardening can be a rewarding hobby as long as you take the time to properly care for each plant. By using the above suggestions, you should be able to successfully plant and grow as many strong and fruit bearing heirloom tomato plants as you would like.
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