Last week we had taken delivery of our healthy, hardened tomato plants. As Mr Cuthbert says ‘ All is now ready for …’
Planting
First, mark out the position of each plant at intervals of 2 feet and insert a strong 4-foot stake or cane. It is important that these supports should be sturdy since they will have to carry a surprising weight when the plants are fully developed with their trusses of fruit. At the same time, if you are planting against a wall or fence, it is an excellent idea to bury a 5-inch pot to soil level beside each stake. These will help to carry water down to the roots of the tomatoes.
Now remove the plants from their pots or boxes and soak the ball of soil containing the roots in the water.
After soaking the roots, take out a good-sized hole beside each stake and set each plant in position, about 2 inches deeper than its previous soil level in the pot or box. This will help the roots to get a firm hold and start making good growth. Tread the soil firmly around the collar of the plant and secure it to its support with raffia, making sure that the tie does not injure the stem. Finally, water each plant generously.
So that’s a full 24 inches between each plant. Growing in pots, I don’t have the same concerns as the plants aren’t sharing soil and so aren’t competing which each other for nutrients and water in the same way. However in a growbag they will be – and even planting only two to a bag there is still less than 2 feet between each plant. I must remember to add spacing to my tomatolover interviews to see what difference today’s growers think spacing makes.
Next week : After-care
