They are open-pollinated, meaning the seeds will produce plants identical to the parent plant.
Growing heirloom tomatoes with saved seeds means you will grow the same tomatoes the next year.
Keep in mind tomato plants are toxic to pets.
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Choose a sunny site with good, well-draining soil.
Heirloom tomatoes may needtall cages and trellis systemsbecause the plants can become large and robust.
They need full, direct, unfiltered sunlight all day long.
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Pay attention to any shadows cast by neighboring trees or buildings when you plan your tomato patch.
Soil
Healthy soil is critical for thriving heirloom tomato plants.
Water
Keeping your tomatoes well-watered is a must, especially once they set fruit.
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Watering deeply will encourage deep root systems.
Allowing the soil to vacillate between moist and dry causes problems in fruit development, includingcrackingandblossom end rot.
Use drip irrigation to further limit airbornediseases like blight.
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Temperature and Humidity
Heirloom tomatoes need warm temperatures to grow.
Humid conditions don’t typically bother heirloom tomatoes.
Fertilizer
Heirloom tomatoes are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing to bloom and fruit.
Organic and chemical-balanced all-purposefertilizersare both acceptable and a matter of personal preference.
Heirloom Tomatoes vs.
However, you cannotsave seedsfrom hybrids and expect them to grow true-to-punch in.
Check your plant or seed packet labels if you wish to save seeds.
Harvesting Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes areready to be pickedjust before their color begins to peak.
Leaving them on the vine too long encourages cracking.
The fruits will also soften as theyapproach their peak.
Use a large 12- to 16-inch pot for younger plants or an extra-large 24-inch pot for taller plants.
Heirloom tomatoesgrowing in containerswill need more frequent watering and fertilization than those growing in the ground.
Fertilize every two weeks with an all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer.
For the amount to use, read the product label instructions.
Remove suckers at the plant base to direct energy to produce fewer but larger fruits.
Prune side shoots that appear between the stem and branches, as well.
Heirloom tomatoes grow quite large and needstaking for support.
Propagating Heirloom Tomatoes
Tomato cuttings root readily.
Take these easy steps with the longer suckers that you prune.
Cover the seeds with the mix so they are secure in the dirt.
Put the pots in a warm spot with bright, indirect light or under grow lights.
Germination takes place in about a week if temperatures are between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use premium potting soil whenpotting and repotting tomatoes.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Pest and disease resistance vary between types of heirloom tomatoes.
Typical pests that tomatoes attract includetomato hornworms,aphids, andflea beetles.
Standard hybrid tomatoes are bred primarily for growing performance rather than flavor.
Tomatoes, including heirloom types, can grow successfully inhydroponic environments.
you might even try setting up anindoor hydroponic garden.
Tomatoes are frequently grown alongsidebasilas it is an excellent natural fly repellant, andchivesandmintare thought to improve flavor.
Potatoes, however, can also suffer from blight, so don’t plant them in the same space.
There may be some types of rare heirloom tomatoes, but not all heirloom tomatoes are rare.
