Organic Principe Borghese tomato seedling

Seedling Tips:

• Your seedling will be 6-8 weeks old when you receive it. It will have been upsized once, creating a good root system.

• You can keep the seedling in its container for a further 2 weeks should you not be able to plant out on arrival.

• Harden off seedlings for 3 days to their new environment, i.e., place outdoors in full sun during the day and return under protection at night.

Growing Tips:

• Plant spacing in rows is 45-60cm and between rows is 90-120cm.

• Provide support for the plants as they grow, using tomato cages, trellises, or stakes to keep them upright and encourage even fruiting.

• Dig seedling hole twice as wide as container and just as long, maybe a touch deeper.

• Gently remove seedling from container and place in hole. Backfill hole and gently press soil around to firm up planting.

• Tomato plants generally need about 2.5-5cm of water per week, including rainfall. Water deeply so that the moisture reaches the root zone, about 15-20cm deep.

Feeding Your Plant:

• In my experience as a commercial grower, I have had success with well-prepared soil and also in last-minute soil prep. The main objective for plant food is that over a period of 2-3 years, you need to build the soil up with green manures and good animal manure. If you are starting out, simply apply good compost and organic all-purpose fertiliser to the soil 4 weeks before planting.

• Tomatoes will need help along the way in the form of calcium and magnesium foliar spray. Helps prevent bottom rot, etc.

Harvest Tips:

• Harvest when the tomatoes are bright red and have a slight softening to the touch.

• Use scissors to snip off the fruit, leaving a small piece of stem attached.

• Handle with care, as the fruits are delicate.

Happy growing! P.S These are great sun dried, shhhh, don’t tell the neighbour.