Common Problems When Growing Tomatoes

Common Problems When Growing Tomatoes

Love growing tomatoes? Almost every gardener leaves some space for tomatoes. Once you get to taste the freshness of homegrown tomatoes, you’ll know why you must plant some.

Homegrown tomatoes are sweet, luscious, and sharp as opposed to most watery tomatoes in supermarkets.

While tomato growing is fun, there are a few problems that farmers face. Problems vary from the tomato plant not setting a fruit to multiple tomato diseases.

Keep reading below as I discuss common problems when growing tomatoes.

Blossom End Rot

Blossom End Rot (BER) is a problem that makes the tomato bottom show ugly black patches. This is by far the most common problem facing tomatoes in gardens, greenhouses, home hardens, and especially tomatoes growing in containers.

The problem appears as dry, dark brown/black, and leathery near or at the fruit bottom. On a few occasions, BER can occur on the inside and the fruit side. When it occurs inside, the BER remains hidden until the fruit is sliced open.

Such tomatoes tend to ripen first than others with the spot sunken.

The major cause of BER is the lack of enough calcium in the soil. It can also be due to low pH levels. Tomatoes need at least 6.5 pH to grow.

Tomato Leaves Turning Yellow

Tomato yellow leaves are another common problem that affects tomatoes. There are various causes of yellow leaves: overwatering, change in environment, nutrient deficiency and various diseases cause the tomato leaves to turn yellow. Most diseases affecting tomatoes occur along with other symptoms like wilting and leafy spots.

If you need more information about this problem, I would suggest you follow Briana Yablonski from backyardgardenersnetwork.org, she did a great job of addressing why are tomato leaves turning yellow in this article.

Fruit Cracking

Tomato cracking is another common problem when they don’t get the best conditions. Most of these cracks start from the stem and are usually called radial. They radiate from the stem and end up affecting the fruit. Other types of cracks form rings around the stem and fruits.

The major cause of tomato cracking is inconsistent water supply to the plant. When you don’t water your tomatoes frequently, they will develop cracks.

But that’s not always the case, tomatoes can also crack due to excessive moisture that leads to rapid growth. This usually occurs after a prolonged period of high temperatures.

Big temperature differences between daytime and nighttime can also cause cracking.

While you cannot prevent all types of cracks, you can lessen the effects. This is done through mulching and maintaining a constant water supply. Make sure you also use an adequate fertilizer program. 

Misshapen Fruit

You can also have tomato fruits come in poor shapes. This is a common problem among garden farms. Tomatoes develop poor shapes when temperatures are too low. Low temperatures lead to a ridged fruit shape.

The ideal temperature for tomatoes is above 60 degrees F. Make sure you plant tomatoes when temperatures are high.

However, some varieties of tomatoes are prone to produce misshapen fruits. A good example is the older heirloom variety and the larger beefsteak types.

Catfacing

This is another common problem that affects the shape of the fruit. The fruit usually becomes malformed in an irregular shape. It creates brown scars at the blossom end. The scars might sometimes run on the fruit sides.

You’ll see fruit with deep crevices. It’s different from BER where you see sunken parts with dark brown bottoms. When it’s severe, catfacing makes the fruit bottom appear turned inside out.

The problem is common in cooler temperatures, affecting the earliest harvested fruits. However, fruits with such issues are still edible. You just need to cut out the affected part.

This is a problem caused by cool temperatures and early pollination. You can try resistant varieties and plant them later in the season.

Leaf Rolling

Ever seen your tomato plant with leaves rolling inward? If yes, then this is a common problem called leaf rolling. The condition can be mild or severe. It usually occurs once plants form a heavy fruit load.

The problem usually starts with older leaves but can sometimes affect the entire plant. It’s not a serious condition and does not affect fruit production.

When it occurs, try to avoid frequent pruning. You can also try planting tomatoes in well-drained soils.

Uneven Ripening

Lastly, we look at uneven ripening which is common in tomatoes. This happens due to high nitrogen levels, high temperatures, low potassium, infections, etc.

You can reduce this by maintaining proper balance when feeding your tomatoes.

Top 10 Veggies Sell Best at Farmers Market

Top 10 Veggies Sell Best at Farmers Market

Looking to sell some vegetables at a local farmers market? You need the best farm produce to enjoy the best sales. So, what are some of the best veggies to sell at a farmers market?

Growing your own vegetables is quite satisfying. You’ll be saving money on vegetable expenditure while also having more to sell. But you need to know the top vegetables that sell.

In the post, I’ll discuss 10 top veggies that sell best at farmers markets. Continue reading below.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes should be on the top of your list of the veggies to sell at a farmers market. Tomatoes are high-selling fruits and one to seriously consider growing. If you’re looking to make a kill, ensure you sell high-quality tomatoes.

You want to make sure the tomatoes have no blemishes, or the skin is not wrinkled.

Secondly, you need to display the tomatoes the right way. Choose tomato displays that attract customers to your stall. You can also offer them free salsa recipes and preserves.

You also want to make sure the tomatoes are well-packaged and meet customer needs.

Read here for common problems when growing tomatoes.

Potatoes

Potatoes are also great and sell pretty well at farmers markets. They are usually sold by the pound. However, small potatoes can be sold in berry containers.

You need to harvest your potatoes the right way.  Fork them out and brush away the dirt, but don’t clean them. When stored properly, potatoes can last for months giving you enough time to sell.

Pumpkin

You want to make sure you have some pumpkins for at the farmers market. They are a favorite and work pretty well. Pumpkins are igly preferred for home processing and ornamental use.

After all, pumpkins are inexpensive and easy to grow. You can be sure of making a kill at a farmers market. But they do take a lot of space and require sun exposure most of the year.

Make sure you harvest them the right way, cutting them off the vine. Use sharp shears or knives that will not tear the pumpkin.

Sweet corn

Sweet corn is full of sugar and sells pretty well at a farmer’s market. Harvest the corn by pulling ripe ears from the stalk. Rip the excess stem and pack them in a cool container.

Keeping the corn under cool temperatures helps maintain the freshness of the containers. At a farmer’s market, you can also bring an ice-cooler to temporarily store the corn.

Lastly, you want to make sure you pick your corn a day before the market day. This helps retain sweetness when they are being sold.

Microgreens

Microgreens are becoming a favorite and a must have at a farmers market. These veggies are popular because of the nutrients and extra flavor they add to the food.

Young microgreen seedlings are quite easy to grow and fetch good amounts at the market. I consider them the best veggies to sell at a farmers market because they are expensive.

Apart from fetching you some money, microgreens can grow you a reputation at the farmers market.

Onions

We can never have a farmer’s market without onions. Onions are used in almost all dishes. They add the savory taste and every customer at a farmer’s market will be getting some onions.

Onions are ever in demand and should never miss on your list of best veggies to sell.

What’s more, onions have a pretty long shell life. You don’t have to worry about onions going bad as they can last up to six months on the shelves.

Basil

Basil is another excellent veggie that compliments most dishes. It’s a best-selling veggie at a farmers market and one to consider growing. Most customers want fresh basil.

You need to harvest your basil and sell it fresh. That means proper storage and packaging. Selling basil with a few local ingredients also works pretty well.

Broccoli

Broccoli is pretty rich in minerals and vitamins. It’s a favorite at a farmers market and one to seriously consider growing. Broccoli is pretty easy to grow.

The only challenge is retaining the freshness at a farmers market. You need to plan your harvest and sell right away.

Create the best displays and ensure customers have great access. You want your broccoli to sell pretty fast while they are still fresh.

Cucumber

Cucumber are pretty rich in natural nutrients and sell well at a farmers market. You can sell your cucumbers by weight to make more sales. Additionally, consider selling cucumbers alongside cucumber recipes.

They are a favorite and low in calories. Cucumbers contain a lot of  soluble fiber and water.

Lettuce

We cannot end our best veggies to sell at a farmers market without listing lettuce. Lettuces are among the best-selling veggies. Make sure you display them in a unique way that represents a bounty harvest.

Try and create an appearance of an overflowing basket. Fill them in the basket without causing damage to the leaves.

Sharing Experience - How do farmers grow tons of tomatoes?

Sharing Experience – How Do Farmers Grow Tons of Tomatoes?

Growing tomatoes is one of the best gardening experiences out there. If done in the right way, tomato growing can be quite profitable. Growing tons of tomatoes is quite exciting. But there are problems when growing tomatoes and you need to get it right.

The experience can be worse when diseases kick in, the weather gets worse or harvests are not bountiful. But overall, the experience is a great one. Tomatoes are a top crop for every gardener.

But ever wondered how farmers grow tons of tomatoes successfully? Join me as I share experiences from farmers on growing tons of tomatoes.

Choosing a tomato variety

You first need to choose a tomato variety. Farmers know varieties that grow faster and have big demands at the farmers’ market.

There are two common tomato varieties to grow, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are bush varieties that grow 2-3 feet tall. They are ideal when you want numerous ripe tomatoes at once.

Determinate tomatoes produce fewer leaves and produce tomatoes for a shorter period. They are perfect for growing in tomato grow bags, containers, and gardens with small spaces. Determinate tomatoes are ideal for making paste. They are also ideal for canning since they produce at the same time.

We also have indeterminate which experience more leaf growth. They are also called vining tomatoes and produce late-season up to early frost production. Most indeterminate tomatoes are cherry tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes.

Perfect period to plant

Next, you need to pick the right time to plant. Tomatoes are long-season plants that will take 60-100 days. They love heat  and most won’t tolerate frost. This means choosing a suitable period to plant so that you can harvest before frost. If the weather is too hot or cold for growing tomatoes outdoors, you can consider growing them indoors with the help of grow lights specifically designed for tomatoes.

Seedlings should be planted six weeks before the first spring-frost date. Tomatoes have a long-growing season. Timing should be done to ensure you plant your seedlings by the time the weather gets warm.

Apart from growing seeds, you can choose your seedlings from a nursery.

Soil Requirements – Fertilizing

Next, you need to understand the soil requirements for tomatoes. First is the fertilizer needed, Stephanie – master gardener and regular contributor to Backyard Gardeners Network said that tomatoes use different fertilizers for different growing stages. So start with a soil test to determine what fertilizer to add.

In the 2 to 3 months of growing, farmers can apply fertilizer 10 times. Before planting, farmers need to add well-rotted manure to the rows. Before planting, they also need pre-planting fertilizer. This is fertilizer rich in nitrogen.

As the tomatoes grow, farmers need to apply fertigation. This is the most common tomato fertilizer. It is a water-soluble fertilizer that is applied to the drip-irrigation system. The application provides tomato plants with gradual nutrients giving them time to grow.

After every three days, fertilizer with Calcium is added until you see the third inflorescence set. Afterwards, farmers can change the Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium ratio to 1-1-2. The ratio is again changed to 1-1-3 when fruits are mature.

Higher potassium is needed towards maturity as tomatoes need it to produce bigger and well-shaped fruits.

Most successful tomato farmers recommended creating a fertilization calendar. While every field is different and has different needs, you should know the tomato fertilizer needs.

During the growing season, tomatoes grown outdoors require up to 700mm of water. It’s crucial to water plants during the flowering season, when the fruits are setting and during the fruit filling period

Watering should be done early in the morning and late in the evening. However, when watering, make sure you avoid water touching the foliage. Excess moisture on the foliage can lead to disease outbreaks.

Pruning, Staking and Pinching

As the tomatoes grow, you need to prune and pinch the suckers. This is a great way to allow sunlight to access all parts of the plant and air to circulate properly.

Additionally, you need to tie the stems to stakes. You also need to trim lower leaves from as low as 12 inches.

Harvesting and storage

Most tomatoes are ready for harvesting from 7-10 weeks after transplanting them. If the tomatoes are intended for canning, they are harvested mechanically at once. This usually happens in late summer when they are fully ripe.

But tomatoes for local selling at a farmers market can be harvested by hand. Harvesting can be done in two stages towards the ripening season. Harvesting can be done 2-3 times a week.

Overall, you need to harvest tomatoes when they are red and firm. Most can have some yellow on the stem.

What happens when temperatures drop and the tomatoes are not fully ripe?

Pull the entire tomato plant from the soil. Then remove all foliage and dirt leaving the tomato fruits attached. Hang the plant upside in a  garage for a few days for the tomatoes to ripen.

Mature pale and green tomatoes can also be stored in boxes to ripen. You need to maintain cool temperatures. Never put the tomatoes on direct sun to ripe.

9 Reasons Why People Love Farmer’s Market

9 Reasons Why People Love Farmer’s Market

Most farmer’s markets are only open one day a week and sell locally grown food in season. Depending on the market size, some will sell locally-sourced meats, seafood, eggs, dairy products, and grains. Buying from local farmers and at farmer’s markets is good for our health, our community of farmers, and the environment.

It works out well for everyone involved. Over the past few years, more people have been going to farmers’ markets and buying food directly from farmers. People are also paying more attention to where their food comes from. Here are the nine most common reasons why people love farmer’s markets.

Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

You can learn more about your food than anywhere else at a farmer’s market. At a market, you can meet and talk to the farmers who grew the food you’re buying. You can find out how the food you buy is made, where it comes from, and much more.

The market’s atmosphere is also great for teaching kids where their food comes from and giving them a chance to meet the families who grow our food.

 Discover new foods

Most supermarkets don’t have as many different fruits and vegetables as farmer’s markets. This makes it more likely that you will find new and exciting foods while shopping at a farmer’s market. You’ll always find something new at your local farmer’s market, whether you’re looking at the food or talking to the farmers and other people there.

A sense of community

The sense of community that comes with shopping at my local farmers’ market is the main reason many people go there. You see, hear, and smell many different things on the way to the market. Guitars are being played, or a fiddler is singing a Cape Breton song as people talk and laugh in many different languages.

You’ll almost always run into a neighbor or friend at the market, and greeting and talking with them is more personal than you’d do on the sidewalk.

Nutrient-packed produce.

You can find the freshest food at farmer’s markets. Fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets are grown until they are perfectly ripe because they will only be sold down the road, sometimes just hours after being picked. Locally grown food tends to have more protein, vitamins, and minerals than food from the grocery store or supermarket. This means that it is healthier and of higher quality.

Support Local Farmers

When you buy food from your local farmers’ market, you are helping the local economy and family farms. 

For some smaller farmers, this typically means having more money in their pockets, which can support a family farm’s survival and expansion in an industry where fewer small, local farms are collapsing due to economic and societal pressures. 

Some vendors have said that locals’ participation in the market has created up to five jobs.

Shop Organic

Most of the vendors at farmer’s markets grow their organic food. In addition to being fresh, organic vendors’ food is free of synthetic pesticides and hasn’t been processed. 

On the other hand, a lot of the food in grocery stores and supermarkets has been heavily processed and grown using hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals.

Many farmers who sell at farmer’s markets are committed to taking the extra steps to grow the healthiest, most nutritious food they can using sustainable organic methods.

Get outside

Many farmer’s markets are outside, so you can enjoy the weather while you shop for food. It’s better than being stuck in a store for an hour! 

Just bring your duffle bag and reusable produce bags, and get ready to fill them with fresh produce. Feel the fresh air and get that sense of fulfillment as you shop outdoors. Leaving your house and walking to the farmer’s market is excellent exercise too!

Sharing of information and expanding knowledge

Local markets can help you learn more about food and cooking and inspire you to try new things in the kitchen. Whether it’s local rhubarb, brussels sprouts, a cut of meat you haven’t tried before, or something like dragon fruit or plantain. 

Even conversations with other shoppers can teach you new skills and information you can try out in your kitchen. The farmers at the market can also teach you new farming skills and give you excellent gardening tips if you plan on starting your own backyard garden.

Enjoy market events

Farmers’ markets are being increasingly used in menu planning and catering for events and meetings. But local produce bazaars are more than just places to get fresh food. 

They also represent sustainability and community, ideas many organizers want to connect with their brands. 

As you attend that event at your local farmer’s market, you get to enjoy meat and dairy, tasty brunch, hot and cold drinks, beautiful gifts, and some of the best free live music.