1.
Select the Right Pots
Select a pot that is big enough to contain the plant. This will ensure that your container holds the adequate soil to provide water and nutrients for your plant’s growth.
2.
Select the right Soil
The ideal soil for beefsteak tomatoes should be loose, rich in minerals and should not have had tomatoes planted in it for at least three years before. The soil should have a pH ranging from 6 to 6.8.
3. Plant Your Tomatoes
There are two easy ways to plant your tomatoes: 1. Plant seeds that you have bought from a trusted seeds dealer. If you are short on cash, you could also opt to dry seeds from a previous crop. 2. Plant seedlings bought from a trusted dealer and transplant them into your pots.
4. Provide Support for Your Tomato Plants
Stake your plants to give them support since the stems are fragile and will not be able to carry the fruits without support. Staking has been found to aid in upward growth.
5.
Watering Your Plants
The best time to water your tomatoes is during the morning hours. While watering your tomatoes, try not to wet the leaves and stems.
6.
Spacing
Plant your tomatoes18 inches apart and if possible, leave a space of 24 inches from one row to the other.
7.
Pruning Your Plants
Pruning should start immediately after you transplant your seedling; any leaf touching the ground should be removed. Drooping leaves should also be removed.
8.
Manure
Before planting your crop, add organic manure and mix it well with your soil. Well decomposed organic manure is critical in amending both clayey and sandy soils.
9. Sunlight
The site where tomato plants are should at least have access to direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours. As an alternative to the full sun, you can also use LED lights to warm your tomatoes especially if you are growing them indoors.
10. Pest and Disease Control
Lack of crop rotation is a factor that facilitates the spread of pests and disease, but since you are using pots to grow your tomatoes, that may not be a major problem. Having said that, do not reuse potting soil. Discard the old soil and use fresh one whenever you want to plant new tomatoes.
11. Harvesting Your Tomatoes
Harvest your fruits when they are pink in color, but you can also harvest them just as they start changing color, especially when the temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As you harvest your tomatoes, remove the calyx and stem to reduce the rate of fruit breakage and mishandling.