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What’s more satisfying than eating a juicy, home-grown tomato in the summer? Produce will be ready for peak picking in August, and you’re probably already dreaming up ways to put the literal fruits of your labor to good use. (Tomato, mozzarella, and basil, anyone?) However, gardening maintenance is essential before that, especially if you expect delicious results for your salads and pasta dishes. Water, fertilize and harvest key areas for tomatoes in July.
Any gardener learns How to grow tomatoes Ready to rock and roll once summer rolls around. The fruit needs temperatures between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit, a strong root system that you get by deep planting early in the year – and regular maintenance and nutrition. Although tomatoes thrive in the warm weather months, temperatures that go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will be a cause for concern. If you are experiencing a heat wave in your area, be sure to have a cover like this Happiness garden shade cloth On standby for burning ones.
How to properly water and feed tomatoes in July
You’re not the only one who needs hydration in the summer. Continuous, deep watering is necessary from July Protect tomatoes from cracking and splitting If the soil becomes too dry. Although locations and zones will have different care requirements, Houses and gardens States that tomatoes typically need about one to two inches of water weekly and benefit from a regular schedule. Consider purchasing an accessory such as Lemonrod Watering Ring For help with compatibility. Additionally, make sure you’re wetting the soil and not the greenery, as that can potentially lead to fungal problems. Keep in mind, tomatoes in pots or containers will require more maintenance because they will dry out faster than tomatoes planted in the ground.
Just as important as a consistent watering schedule is consistent access to nutrition. The best tomato fertilizing tips Gardeners recommend providing potassium — which is key to fruit and flavor — and phosphorus-rich compost and tomato feed once you notice them flowering. You don’t need to worry about nitrogen-rich fertilizer, as it focuses more on green foliage than fruit, which is certainly not on gardeners’ minds at this time in the season.
How to properly harvest tomatoes in July
Come July, you’re dreaming of a delicious tomato slice on your BBQ burger. To get there with your homegrown produce, you’ll need to make sure you’re paying attention to the tomato sap that appears weekly between stem and branch. They’re little attention seekers who want to steal the flavor from the fruit, and all the recipes you’ve prepared, you don’t have, so brush them off with your fingers – decide that tomatoes don’t need as much pruning as indeterminate tomatoes. If the stems crowd the rest of the tomato plant, they may be susceptible to fungus because air flow is restricted, so keep a close eye on when you’ll need to start pruning.
Another word of advice during this growth phase in July: be careful about support. You want to make sure your stems don’t bend or the flowers fall off, so if you don’t already have something like bamboo or hemp stakes to keep them straight, now is the time to invest. With careful and consistent maintenance, you’ll be ready to enjoy those delicious tomatoes.
