TOMATOES

WHEN TO PLANT: Early spring, after all danger of frost is past

DEPTH OF PLANTING: 1/2" deep

PLANTS APART IN ROWS (AFTER THINNING): 24" apart

DISTANCE BETWEEN ROWS: 36" apart

RAISED BED PLANTING GUIDE: After thinning, plants should be 24" apart throughout bed.

SOIL TYPE RECOMMENDED: rich composted, well drained soil.

NOTE: seeds may be started indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Seedling transplants should be 4-5" tall. Trim the bottom leaves and plant the lower stem in the soil either straight down or on its side. This will allow the tomato plant to grow strong roots along the buried stem. Direct seeding produces healthier, stronger plants but does not allow you to get a jump start on early planting.

TUCSON PLANTING INFORMATION: Tomatoes do extremely well in Tucson. Start plants indoors in late December or early January. Early planting gives yields before the summer heat causes blossoms to drop. Tomatoes begin production again during summer monsoons and into the Fall. Tomatoes need some shade in the summer. Grow vining beans or cucumbers on a trellis located on the southside of the garden to shade the plants. Plant seeds indoors from December 20 to February 15 and a second crop July 15 through September 15.