By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County
Tomato planting is the moment many gardeners wait for each spring. Tomato transplants thrive best planted after the first of May when the soil temperatures are warm and the danger of frost has passed. Successful planting tips can lead to a summer of success.
How to properly plant a tomato transplant is often a topic of discussion. It seems that everyone has his or her own formula for success. Some recommend planting the tomato plant deeply in the soil so strong roots develop along the stem, while others prefer to lay the plant on its side. Both methods will work, but the laying on the side may be better according to research. Planting deeply may restrict the valuable oxygen needed for quick growth. Plants respond better if the same oxygen conditions can be maintained when they are set out. For this reason, it is best to plant in a more horizontal direction keeping the root system shallow. Vigorous roots soon develop along the stem for added growth.
Should you use a starter fertilizer or transplant solution for quick establishment of tomato transplants? Recent research has shown that starter fertilizers for transplants may be unnecessary. Research has found that plants grown in fertile and warm soils in the spring respond the same with or without the transplant solution. Avoid the use if planting under good conditions. On the other hand, if the transplants are stressed coming from the garden center, then a quick boost of a starter solution may be helpful.
In addition to the different planting methods, tomato gardeners have very strong opinions about which variety to grow. Many use the old standbys for continued success. Kansas State University, along with other regional universities, conducts variety trials to determine the best of the best. K-State has recently updated its list of recommended varieties for Kansas.
Early season varieties include:
Main season recommended types are:
Cherry types with good yields include:
Paste types are:
Tomato planting is the moment many gardeners wait for each spring. Tomato transplants thrive best planted after the first of May when the soil temperatures are warm and the danger of frost has passed. Successful planting tips can lead to a summer of success.
How to properly plant a tomato transplant is often a topic of discussion. It seems that everyone has his or her own formula for success. Some recommend planting the tomato plant deeply in the soil so strong roots develop along the stem, while others prefer to lay the plant on its side. Both methods will work, but the laying on the side may be better according to research. Planting deeply may restrict the valuable oxygen needed for quick growth. Plants respond better if the same oxygen conditions can be maintained when they are set out. For this reason, it is best to plant in a more horizontal direction keeping the root system shallow. Vigorous roots soon develop along the stem for added growth.
Should you use a starter fertilizer or transplant solution for quick establishment of tomato transplants? Recent research has shown that starter fertilizers for transplants may be unnecessary. Research has found that plants grown in fertile and warm soils in the spring respond the same with or without the transplant solution. Avoid the use if planting under good conditions. On the other hand, if the transplants are stressed coming from the garden center, then a quick boost of a starter solution may be helpful.
In addition to the different planting methods, tomato gardeners have very strong opinions about which variety to grow. Many use the old standbys for continued success. Kansas State University, along with other regional universities, conducts variety trials to determine the best of the best. K-State has recently updated its list of recommended varieties for Kansas.
Early season varieties include:
- Sun Start
- Sunny
- Daybreak
Main season recommended types are:
- Mountain Spring
- Mountain Fresh
- Merced
- Celebrity
- Floralina
- Jet Star
- Sunmaster
- Sun Leaper
- Carolina Gold (yellow variety — give it a try!)
Cherry types with good yields include:
- Cherry Grande
- Mountain Belle
- Sweet Chelsea
Paste types are:
- Roma
- Plum Dandy
- Super Marzano
