RISON - The go-to guy on tomatoes in Arkansas must be John Gavin, cooperative extension agent for Bradley County, the state’s top grower and home to the annual Pink Tomato Festival in Warren.
That’s growing tomatoes on an industrial scale. What about people with backyard gardens - especially folks in town?
Gavin has four tips:
First, gardeners should take a sample of their soil to their local cooperative extension office. The free test will tell what the garden needs. As Gavin said, “get the lime right.”
Second, gardeners should know what they’re buying. Tomato plants are either determinate or indeterminate. The growing height of the former is known; not so much on the latter, whose top will keep growing. An indeterminate plant will need to be pruned and may be fertilized later in the season to keep it producing.
Third, monitor for insects and disease. If the plants aren’t disease-resistant, it may be necessary to spray.
Fourth, make sure the plants are uniformly watered. Don’t let the garden get dry. The soil should be moist to the touch all season.
HomeStyle, Pages 42 on 04/26/2014