Tomatoes!!
Tomatoes. So many choices! Rich colors, beautiful shapes, different sizes, different flavors, different uses. The luscious rich heirloom slicer or the tangy-sweet pop of a sun warmed cherry straight from the plant. No other plant offers the diversity of tomatoes in the garden.
As many differences as there are in the thousands of available tomato varieties, they share similarities in cultural needs and some simple advice to help grow amazing tomatoes applies no matter which varieties you decide to grow in your garden.
Sun and Warmth: Tomatoes are a warm season crop so choosing varieties that are suited to the length of our season then hardening them off and planting them out when nighttime temperatures are around or above 10 C in a location where they will receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct bright sunlight every day will get you off to the right start. Healthy bright green and unblemished transplants are what you are looking for and a great selection (including some of mine) will be available to buy at the HCP tomato day.
Water and feeding: Tomato plants are hungry and thirsty. Providing consistent water and using mulch to help maintain an even and consistent moisture level will help to prevent the development of blossom end rot. Using clean mulch under plants serves a second important purpose which is to prevent soil from splashing up onto the lower leaves which helps prevent fungal disease. Supporting plants upright by staking, caging or trellising will make them easier to manage and keeps them up off the ground promoting good airflow and allowing easier picking.
Feeding: Soil rich in nutrients is critical for optimal growth and production. Regular feeding of potted plants is especially necessary. My method is to start with a good compost-based potting mix enriched with a big handful of organic slow-release tomato food added at planting and then monthly. Additionally, I supplement every couple of weeks with a drink of soluble fertilizer with kelp extract. (Kelp is magic for tomato plants!).
Chinook
Karma Peach
Karma Pink
Tomatoes can be a little tricky to learn to grow well, especially the large slicers but the rewards are worth all that effort. A slab of luscious sun-ripe tomato on a slice of buttered toast is the ultimate gardener's reward and I hope that one day Canadian gardeners will consider one of the tomatoes I bred their special favorite.
With names like Tundra, Chinook, Midnight Sun and Oh Canada, my tomatoes are selected specifically to grow well in a Canadian Garden.
Tundra
Taiga
Cowboy
24 varieties (and counting!) from my Canadian Garden to yours. Have a wonderful season!
Karen Olivier,
Northern Gardener Canada
