We asked two horticulture experts what they wished they knew before growing tomatoes for the first time.

By then, the deep roots of the mature plant can handle it, he says.

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Ripe tomatoes on vines ready to harvest

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He recommends regularly spraying with an organic preventative to keep some of these diseases from damaging your plants.

But if you live in a rainy, humid area, spray more oftenmaybe every five or seven days.

Tip

Various organic treatment options can help prevent diseases from developing.

Even regular applications ofinsecticidal soapcan help.

The flavor and nutritional profile are the same as if you left it to turn red on the plant.

He suggests removing the first four to seven suckering branches below the first flower cluster.

These are the extra shoots or branches growing from where the main stem and leafy branches meet.

Also, remove branches with no flowers lower down the plant and diseased leaves.

The humidity at night aborts the flowers, Masabni explains.

To prevent your carefully tended fruits from being inedible, Masabni recommends saving your eggshells.

The plant roots will absorb the dissolved calcium.

Maybe opt to plant alongside members of the mustard or lettuce family instead, she says.

It doesnt mean there arent some diseases that cross over between families, but its less likely.