https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/4449998b-f793-4535-a137-2c185468354a In today’s 2 minute tip, I share our keys to tomato growing success. If you shop on Amazon, you can support OYR simply by clicking this link (bookmark it too) before shopping: http://www.amazon.com/?tag=oneya-20 Our Keys to Tomato Success: start tomatoes indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date (mid-March here in zone 5) and 7 to 8 weeks before transplanting them outside;, starting earlier doesn't provide a significant advantage;, start hardening off tomatoes after the last frost when nighttime temps are in the 40’s or above (early May) by placing them in the shade;, gradually move tomatoes from shade to full sun over the next week or two;, transplant tomatoes when nighttime temps are mostly in the 50's or above (one to two weeks after the last frost or around mid-May here in zone 5);, plant in full sun;, don't plant tomatoes where tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or other related crops grew the prior year;, plant tomatoes deeply, leaving only 4 to 6 inches above the ground, and snip branches as needed;, to maximize production per square foot, plant 1 indeterminate tomato plant per square foot and prune suckers to prevent overcrowding;, grow tomatoes vertically on trellises;, when plants are a few feet tall, prune lower branches to reduce blight;, weave plants through trellis as they grow and top them off when they reach the top of the trellis (8 feet);, water moderately to heavily during growth and lightly during harvesting;, mulch tomatoes when soil is warm to reduce watering requirements, reduce soil splash, and reduce blight risk;, compost, worm castings, and mulch from free local resources provide all the nutrients our tomatoes need., OYR is all about growing a lot of food on a little land using sustainable organic methods, while keeping costs and labor at a minimum. Emphasis is placed on improving soil quality with compost, mulch, and compost tea. No store-bought fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, compost activators, etc. are used. Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:21:26 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://stream.echo6.co https://stream.echo6.co/client/assets/images/icons/icon-512x512.png https://stream.echo6.co/videos/watch/4449998b-f793-4535-a137-2c185468354a All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://stream.echo6.co/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.