Growing Your Own Tomatoes
January 22, 2014
By Debbie Hughes, Horticulturist January is a great time to plant tomatoes in raised beds or large pots in Florida. Tomatoes have difficulty growing in the poor sandy soil laden with nematodes (microscopic worms that eat the roots of plants), it is best to grow in amended organic soils. Seedlings can be started in early August-October in peat pots then potted into larger pots. When the plants have grown to at least 1-2 feet in height, it is time to plant in the amended soil.
Seedlings are also available for sale ready to plant if you missed the seed stage. Many varieties of cherry tomatoes are grown in Florida because they take fewer days to mature, and are easier to just pop in the mouth.
Edison Ford Winter Estates sells heirloom seeds from Bakers Heirloom Seed Growers or look for interesting seeds from Tomato Growers Supply. Look forward to eating varieties this year of, “Snow White” , “Sun Gold”, and “Sun Sugar” during the springtime.
