Tomatoes - especially when cooked - have cancer-fighting
lycopene (an anti oxidant which gives tomatoes their gorgeous, rich red
colour), that helps remove free radicals from the body. Plus they are
packed with vitamins A and C.
Recent studies have shown that
eating five to seven serves of tomato-based meals a week may reduce the
risk of heart attack by half and reduce the risk of prostate cancer .
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)
is a soft stemmed, spreading plant which can reach 1.8metres (6foot) in
height when staked. The deeply lobed leaves are quite pungent. It has
yellow flowers, which are followed by soft, delicious fruit.
The
fruit is usually red or yellow, with some heirloom varieties coming in
greens, black, purple and stripes. The size and shape of the fruit will
depend on the variety you are growing.
Cultivation
Tomatoes need a long, warm to hot growing season. If you live in a cooler climate you will need to start your seedlings under glass so that the fruit will have time to develop before frosts return.
Tomatoes need a long, warm to hot growing season. If you live in a cooler climate you will need to start your seedlings under glass so that the fruit will have time to develop before frosts return.
Plant
in well drained, fertile soil, high in organic matter. The position you
choose will need to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Rotate your tomato crops in the garden to help control nematodes
organically, as they are found in nearly all areas.
If you are
planting varieties that need staking, position your stakes before
planting out your seedlings about 60cm (24inches) apart. You can plant
your seedlings as deep as the first true leaves - this helps strengthen
the young plant and allows more root development.
*My personal tip
- To stake your plants without damaging its tender stems, wrap cotton
ties or strips of pantyhose around the tomato stake first, then loop it
around the stem and tie it loosely with a knot or bow to the stake.*
Choose
strong varieties that grow well in your area, as tomatoes are prone to
several pests and diseases. Grow disease-resistant hybrids and reliable
heirlooms. Did you know that most heirloom varieties will usually
perform better the second season from seeds you have saved yourself?
Keep
the soil moist, but not wet. Mulch around your tomato plants once the
soil has warmed to keep weeds at a minimum and to keep soil temperature
and water levels more even.
Feed with organic fertilizer every
fortnight or so until the fruit sets, then again after each flush of
fruit. Use a balanced organic fertilizer or alternate with a liquid fish
emulsion in water - the steady release of nutrients makes for the
consistent, vigorous growth that is needed to keep your plants healthy
and productive.
Fruiting
Harvest tomatoes when they're just starting to ripen, to prevent birds from pecking at them and to avoid invading insects that follow them from destroying your fruit.
Harvest tomatoes when they're just starting to ripen, to prevent birds from pecking at them and to avoid invading insects that follow them from destroying your fruit.
Any plants that still have green
tomatoes on the bush as winter approaches can be pulled up by the roots
and stored in the shed. They will keep ripening over the next few months
as their stems keep feeding them for some time.
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