By Thiago Tadeu Campos
O tomato is a typical food of the American continent, originating in the current region of Mexico and spreading to the rest of the continent over time. After consolidating itself as a common food for all tribes, it aroused the interest of colonizers and was then taken to Europe in the 16th century.
Currently, tomato is a food present in most kitchens in the world, either to give a different flavor to sauces or even to be part of the main dishes.
The versatility of the tomato makes it an essential food in every home, not least because it is possible to find tomatoes of various types, such as long life salad tomatoes, round tomatoes, khaki tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, among others.
Today, the tomato that is purchased in conventional markets has little less than half of the nutrients present in a tomato from 30 years ago, this is due to mass farming methods and the exacerbated use of pesticides and agricultural inputs.
One way to combat this difficulty is to opt for the consumption of organic tomatoesor even perform the home planting of small tomato plants. Want to know how to plant this delicacy at home? Who teaches is the specialist in Organic Agriculture Thiago Tadeu Camposcheck below.
How to grow organic tomatoes
Space
Tomatoes can be planted in small pots and flower beds, not requiring large areas for the plant to develop healthily and vigorously. In the case of planting in small vegetable gardensit is possible to produce larger tomatoes and in large quantities, but for that it is necessary to pay attention to some basic guidelines on how to plant organic tomatoes.
Climate
Tomato is a food sourced from hot areas, therefore it does not support very cold temperatures. The ideal temperature for growing tomatoes is between 20°C and 26°C, from 15°C it is already possible to grow tomatoes and obtain beautiful fruits and the maximum temperature should not exceed 35°C.
In regions that do not meet these thermal requirements, tomatoes can be grown in greenhouses. In the case of the urban producer, it is possible to use small vases, keep them in the inner region of their homes and even build small greenhouses, so that bad weather does not afflict the plant or harm its development.
brightness
Regarding the incidence of light, the tomato plant requires a little more attention. The plant needs to be exposed to high luminosity and receive direct sunlight for at least six hours every day.
Ground
For large-scale plantings, it is recommended to take care of the soil at least five months before planting the crop and that these areas have not received plants from the family Solanaceaesuch as potatoes, scarlet eggplant, peppers, paprika and eggplant.
O ideal soil To plant tomatoes, it must have a pH between 5.5 and 7, with good drainage. The surface layer of the soil must always be well irrigated and must not be soaked to avoid the proliferation of diseases and other pests. A fertile soil makes all the difference in plant development.
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Irrigation
The tomato plants must always be well irrigated, however the overwatering impairs plant development. Scheduled irrigation can be a good alternative for those who cannot monitor the plantation full time.
As the tomato plant will always be exposed to sunlight, the rate of soil evaporation and water transpiration is high and the tomato plant requires constant irrigation.
Planting
When planting tomatoes, the producer needs a lot of attention. It is recommended to perform small seedlings of the tomato plant before placing it in the soil. In a seedbed, place two to five seeds in each hole, about 1cm deep.
If you choose smaller or dwarf tomatoes, plant them directly in the chosen pot or planter, in which case there is no need to transplant.
seedling transplant
The seedlings will be ready for transplanting when they have approximately 4 consolidated leaves and after the small tomato plants have strengthened, it is necessary to transplant the seedlings.
The spacing will vary according to the variety of tomato, and the recommended minimum spacing between each plant is 50 cm, reaching up to 1.6 m. In the case of dwarf plants or cherry tomatoes, spacing of 30 cm is sufficient.
Cultivation
It is possible that as the tomato plants grow, their foliage becomes irregular and the plants begin to lose their vigor. In this case, the staking technique is used, where stakes are placed so that the plant has a growth orientation.
With that, just prune the branches that are hindering development and free up space for new, healthy branches to grow in their place.
Harvest
The harvesting period will vary according to the type of tomato planted and its form of development. Regularly growing tomatoes of the determinate type, which grow in clumps and bear fruit in less time, can be harvested in 7 to 8 weeks.
Larger tomatoes with indeterminate growth can take between 10 and 16 weeks to mature. The harvest will depend on the fate of the tomato. If the tomato is resold to nearby regions, it is important to harvest it already ripe, with a greater amount of nutrients.
But if the tomato needs to travel long distances, it is recommended to harvest the tomato at the beginning of ripening so that it does not spoil until it reaches the final consumer.
Why learn how to plant organic tomatoes?
In case of diseases or weakening of tomato plants, just look for organic maintenance methodssuch as adding organic matter to the soil so that the plant is always well nourished.
By eradicating the use of chemicals you will have a much healthier and more nutritious plant, you will be consuming health and will not affect the environment. The organic form of agriculture, in addition to being able to be reproduced in small environments, is more accessible and ensures a closer relationship between the consumer and their food, an indispensable link in a society of industrialized and chemically altered foods.
Opt for organic consumption and discover a ratio of balance and gratitude with the environment. Now that you’ve learned how to plant organic tomatoes, it’s your turn to get your hands dirty and start planting your organic tomatoes in your house or rural property.
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