Spring is here which brings thoughts of all the wonderful produce for the avid vegetable gardener. Of course, of all the produce that can be grown here in the Central Valley, the tomato may be the most popular crop grown in the back yard garden. Tomatoes are botanically a fruit (berry), as they are the fleshy fruit produced from a single flower with one ovary. However, in 1893 the US Supreme Court ruled them a vegetable because they are not eaten as a desert. The USDA also recognizes the tomato as a vegetable.

Fruit or vegetable, there is no doubt to the popularity of the home-grown tomato, picked fresh off the vine and appreciated for its tasty flavor, health benefits and beauty. Growing heirloom tomatoes has recently become more popular, with the various colors, shapes, and sizes. 

The first year I started my tomatoes from seed, I was not sure how many seeds would germinate. I planted 3-4 seeds in each cell. To my surprise, most of them grew. I was challenged to thin them and keep the most vigorous ones, so I transplanted most of them into their own cell and grew about 450 tomato plants.  I was very popular that year with co-workers and family as I shared the bounty.

The great thing about starting your tomatoes from seed is how many varieties are available that may not be sold in the nursery. However, new gardeners are encouraged to purchase plants from the nursery to transplant into the garden with great success. Tomatoes need 4-6 weeks to grow from seed, so you'll probably want to purchase yours from transplants from a local nursery or garden center. Next year, you can start tomato seeds in winter to plant in spring.

Tomato plants are also an easy plant to grow in containers. The important thing to remember when choosing a tomato plant is its growth habit. The two growth habits are determinate and indeterminate. 

Determinate tomatoes grow to 3-5' tall, set fruit within 4-6 weeks and then begin to decline. They are a great choice for container gardening. Indeterminate tomatoes are more like a vine, as they grow, flower, and set fruit the entire season. They need a sturdy support and grow best in the ground. For more information about growing this tasty produce, join the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardener presentation, ‘Tips for Terrific Tomatoes” on April 20.

Where*: On Zoom. You will receive a link the morning of the class. 
When: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register at: http://ucanr.edu/tomato/tips2021
Master Gardener Instructors: Heidi Aufdermaur & Terry Harper