It can be hard to figure out when to plant, prune, and harvest tomatoes. Here are some general timing of tomatoes to follow throughout the growing season.
Read More: An Easy Guide For Beginners To Growing Tomato Plants
- 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring, frost date, start seeds indoors.
- 7 to 10 days prior to the last spring frost date, harden-off seedlings.
- 1 to 7 days after the last frost, transplant young plants into the garden.
- 1 to 2 weeks after transplanting (and any time after), prune off any foliage that is touching the ground.
- 2 to 4 weeks after transplanting (when flowering begins), remove all small suckers below the first flower cluster.
- 6 to 8 weeks (or longer) after transplanting, remove errant long stems that escape your tomato support system of choice (e.g., cage, fence).
- 4 weeks before the first fall frost date, top the plant by cutting indeterminate varieties back to 5 feet or so.
- 1 to 2 days after the first fall frost, remove all green fruit to ripen indoors.
Read More: How to prevent blight disease on tomatoes
FAQ:
When should I start seeds indoors?
6 to 8 weeks before the last spring, frost date, start seeds indoors.
When should I harden-off seedlings?
7 to 10 days prior to the last spring frost date, harden-off seedlings.
When should I transplant young plants into the garden?
1 to 7 days after the last frost, transplant young plants into the garden.
When should I prune off?
1 to 2 weeks after transplanting (and any time after), prune off any foliage that is touching the ground.
Source: Fine Gardening
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