 Ask any veggie gardener what their favorite crop to grow is and you are likely to get tomatoes. 85% of the estimated 29 million gardeners grow tomatoes (NCG). Flavor is compromised, as well as variety, when you rely on store-bought, commercially grown tomatoes. They are also expensive, so it makes sense to grow your own.
Physical Description
- semi-tropical perennial vine or shrub that's grown as an annual in non-tropical areas(NCG)
- Originated in the Andean mountains, but the fruits were smaller than cherry tomatoes. They were ignored by the incas, but birds carried the seeds to Central America where it was cultivated for it's decorativeness by the pre-Mayan Indians. The Aztecs were the ones to start eating it as Tomatl or Xtomatl. Spanish conquistadors brought it back to Europe. Colonists brought it to the US. (NCG)
- Heat loving (GGC)
- Subject to many fungal diseases (GGC)
Timing:
- sow seeds in spring, transplant in spring & summer, harvest in summer & fall
Taxonomy
- Family: Solanaceae or Nightshade
- Latin Name: Lycopersicon esculentum
- Other Members: eggplant, peppers, potatoes (although they prefer different soil conditions), tobacco, ground cherries, cape gooseberries. Also includes some poisonous weeds (GGC)
- Tomatoes are categorized by growth habits and shapes/sizes.
See below for specific growing requirments, problems or symptoms, routine maintenance, harvesting, and storage information. |
