How to grow a tomato plant

In this part of the country, Ottawa, ON, Canada, the weather has warmed up and it's time to start planting your garden. In the past most gardeners, including myself, just dug a hole and planted newly purchased plants in their native soil without any fertilizer. However, times have changed and we now collectively strive to produce a better tasting, bigger, healthier and disease free fruit by augmenting the soil with compost, fertilizer and loving care.

It starts in early April when gardeners seed their favourite varieties and nurture them over the next 7-8 weeks. Following a week of hardening off in the outdoors, they are ready for their long adventure in the summer garden.  We are happy and anxious, it's like the kids going off to college!  

A few weeks prior to planting work the soil with your shovel or garden spade and add organic fertilizer. If the soil is heavy with clay add some sand to loosen it up and facilitate drainage. If your soil is a sandy tilth add peat moss or  a Triple Mix Garden Soil containing humus, sphagnum peat moss and compost. Home Depot also has special pricing on Miracle-Gro Premium Potting Mix - 60.5 Litre that can be mixed 50:50 or less into your native garden soil. You can also add sheep manure or mushroom compost to energize your soil.

Take a look at the video below where I explain in detail how I fertilize and grow the beloved tomato plant. Let's get planting, my friend.