Being a nutritious vegetable rich in vitamin, the quantity and quality of tomatoes product is determined by the type and level of technology used.
Growing organic tomatoes reduce on health risks and is flavourful and the cultivation processes include climate, land preparation, planting, irrigation, pruning and harvesting. Tomatoes require higher light intensity of 20-27 degrees centigrade for germination.
Tomato management
Tomatoes grow well in soils with appropriate drainage mainly in sand- loam with a pH of 6-7 and always avoid land previously planted with tomatoes, pepper and egg plants as this land may cause diseases and pests to build.
Continue by preparing field 2-3 weeks before transplanting and apply fertilizer a month before planting and spread and mix animal manure with soil. Shape land into beds of 1 m wide by 30cm high leaving 1 m wide between beds and apply multiple types of fertilizers through out growing season. Tomatoes require NPK, Mg, Ca, potash.
Additionally, plant seeds in starting trays and water once daily for 6-8 weeks and maintain temperature of 20-27 degrees centigrade for proper seed germination. After germination, pull out seedlings gently from tray and transport at 50cm between plants.
Mulch plants using organic mulch such as grass clippings, hay, leaves, sawdust to retain moisture and provide food for micro organisms in soil and then stake growing plants to provide support to the plants to grow upwards. Newly transplanted tomatoes need daily watering of 1-2 weeks and once in 10 days until drop is harvested.
Similarly, prune suckers and dead branches on stems to prevent delayed plant maturity in order to improve on fruit size, air circulation, reduced foliar diseases and allow early maturity.
Finally, harvest in morning when there is less transpiration and moisture loss of fruit and avoid fruit injury by proper handling and dont mix damaged with non damaged fruits.
