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Spring 2020
Growing tomatoes in four steps By Beth McMahon
T
omatoes are the favored vegetable for growing at home. They aren’t difficult to grow either, provided you know how.
Step One: Pick the Best Spot Tomatoes require eight to 10 hours of sunlight. They will grow if they get less, but the plants will be leggy and not bloom much. Wind circulation isn’t something that is normally considered for a vegetable garden, but it’s important for getting tomatoes. Tomatoes need the wind to gently shake the flowers to allow them to pollinate. If your tomato plants are in a location that is too sheltered, your production will likely be low. Bumblebees can visit tomato flowers, but are unlikely to be a major pollination source. Good soil can be hard to find but get your tomato plants started off right with a soil that is at least one foot deep (not counting caliche). If you don’t have this, you can grow tomatoes in four- to five-gallon sized containers. Plant one plant per five-gallon container and See TOMATOES ▶ 26
Ripe “Black Krim” heirloom tomato. — Photos courtesy Beth McMahon Elizabeth McMahon is the Gillespie County Horticulture Agent. Questions and comments can be sent to elizabeth.mcmahon@ ag.tamu.edu.
O Construction Inc.
Serving the Hill Country Since 1982 If you are dedicated to creating a unique new or remodeled home, custom built to your specifications, you will want a home built or remodeled by Curl’s Construction, Inc. We have been building custom homes using the latest in material technology applied with old German craftsmanship since 1982.
curlsconst@ctesc.net
Although homes are our specialty, we also do light commercial construction. Curl’s Construction, Inc. offers nothing less than perfection. Family Owned & Operated by David, Cathy, Kevin & Keith Curl
1798 South US Hwy. 87 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 • 830-997-9397 fax 830-997-9185
