How to Grow Organic Tomatoes

Learn how to grow organic tomatoes at home: sun exposure, sowing, watering, staking and pest care.

There is no doubt that organic food is much healthier and that producing it is kinder to the environment. In fact, more and more people are joining this world through a very rewarding activity: growing their own food. Whether in a garden, at home in pots or on an urban allotment.

Tomatoes are one of the foods we eat most in our daily routine and, for that reason, one of the great challenges for anyone new to growing. Would you like to learn how to grow organic tomatoes? In this post, we share the best techniques for doing it.

Tips

Grow them in a sunny spot: tomatoes are a summer crop and need warmth to ripen. Clear the ground where you are going to plant and mulch the soil, to protect it from the sun and keep moisture levels steady.
Sow at the end of winter and the beginning of spring: the seeds should be spaced apart and covered with only a little soil. Afterwards, water when the surface is dry.
Tie the plant securely to its support: otherwise the stem may snap in strong winds or heavy rain. Tomatoes need a lot of water and should be watered generously.
Remove the new shoots (side shoots) that grow between the leaves and the main stem: this ensures a good harvest. But be careful! Tomatoes are prone to pests and diseases, so watch out for mould, whitefly and aphids.

Some curiosities

The first tomatoes in Europe were yellow, not red
For a long time it was considered a poisonous fruit
At first it was grown as an ornamental fruit
It is classed as a vegetable for tax reasons
There are more than 10,000 varieties
Its name comes from the Aztec language and means "plump water fruit"
It is 94% water
It contains a powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which protects our cells from the oxidative and inflammatory processes responsible for tumours

In short, tomatoes grow in almost every type of climate and soil, tolerating very low temperatures, and should be grown outdoors.

At Sementes Vivas we have a wide range of tomatoes. Take a look at our catalogue.