Tag: Tomato

Green tomatoes contain the poisonous alkaloid solanine. This ensures a deterring, bitter flavor and if, despite the taste, the unripe fruit is eaten in large amounts, the symptoms of poisoning soon begin to show. Are unripe tomatoes safe to eat? Unripe (traditional red) tomatoes will not be as good a source for nutrients dense since […]

Both are present in tomato leaves, as well as in the stems and flowers. Poisoning from tomatine and solanine can include many grisly symptoms like stomach pain and cramps, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, heart arrhythmia, and more. Is tomato leaf poisonous? There appears to be no risk in consuming tomato leaves in moderate quantities, so it’s […]

While it’s true that tomatoes are members of the nightshade family, they actually produce a slightly different alkaloid called tomatine. Tomatine is also toxic but less so. However, when ingested in extremely large doses, it may cause gastrointestinal problems, liver, and even heart damage. Why were tomatoes considered toxic? Tomatoes – Lycopersicon esculentum – are […]

Now we’re talking about the leaves of the plant itself, not the small leaves attached to the stem — those are generally too fibrous to eat. But the leaves of the plant are tender, fragrant and, yes, completely edible. Contrary to popular opinion, you can eat tomato leaves just like any other garden green. Are […]

solanine. Tomatoes are member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and, as such, are related to eggplants, potatoes, and of course, deadly belladonna or nightshade. These cousins all produce a toxin called solanine. How do you remove solanine from tomatoes? Additionally, frying the green tomatoes in hot oil diminishes the solanine content, rendering the green tomato […]

A bowl of tomato soup every day can help boost fertility among men, scientists have claimed. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have revealed that lycopene, which gives tomatoes their bright red colouring, can improve male fertility and turn sperm into super-sperm. Does tomato soup increase sperm count? Lycopene – a nutrient found in tomatoes […]

ANSWER: A tomato plant will only last a year in most vegetable gardens. As soon as it gets cold and freezes, the tomato plant will die. In places where the temperature never falls below 60 degrees or when indeterminate tomatoes are grown indoors, they are short-lived perennials that will last for two years. What is […]

Aspirin Increases Plant Size And Yield The tomato plants were sprayed with different concentrations of foliar salicylic acid four times at 10-day intervals, two weeks after planting. There were improvements in plant growth, early yield, and total yield. Aspirin may help the plant deal with the stress and grow well. How do you apply aspirin […]

Before planting tomatoes, check your topsoil to ensure that it is well draining and has lots of organic matter. For tomatoes and other vegetables, you want good topsoil from 6 to 10 inches deep. Adding bark, compost or aged manure will lighten clay or hardpan soil and help sandy soil retain moisture. What kind of […]

Tomatoes can be grown easily in hanging baskets, window boxes, planters, and many other types of containers. To successfully grow tomatoes in pots or containers, simply match the variety you want to a suitable container and provide the proper care. How deep do containers need to be for tomatoes? All kinds of tomatoes are appropriate […]

Starting seeds indoors is optional with many vegetables, but tomato seeds need a constant soil temperature of at least 60 degrees, and preferably 80 degrees, to germinate. Can tomato seeds be started outside? So, can you plant tomato seeds directly in the ground? You can plant tomato seeds directly in the ground if you live […]

To germinate tomato seeds on a paper towel, wet the paper towel until it is damp (not soaking wet). Then, lay out the tomato seeds so that they are separated (not touching). Be sure to keep the paper towel and seeds in a warm place, to encourage faster germination and higher germination rates. How long […]

Seeds don’t need light to germinate, although after germination, you should ideally give the seedlings 14 or more hours of light a day. If you’re growing indoors on a windowsill, be sure to place pots in a warm, sunny spot that gets a good amount of natural light. Should tomato seeds be kept in dark […]

Several days of nighttime temperatures above 70 F and or daytime temperatures above 85 F will cause the plants to abort flowers. Under these temperatures the pollen becomes tacky and nonviable, preventing proper pollination from taking place. At what temp do tomatoes stop setting fruit? Pick fruit early When temps consistently hit the 95-degree range, […]

Horizontal String Trellis Best for determinate varieties (because this system makes pruning difficult), this method sees string running horizontally across a frame, forming a string support on either side of each plant. What is the best trellis for tomatoes? You can use cotton twine or commercial-grade, polymer twine to trellis tomatoes using the “Florida Weave”. […]

Know Temps for Fruit All Summer Another temperature to keep in mind: tomato plants will not survive in temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and will not thrive at temperatures below 50 degrees. What temperature is too cold for tomatoes? Low Temperatures Although tomato plants can survive temperatures down to 33 degrees Fahrenheit, they show problems […]

With a little practice, you can expect great results growing tomatoes from seed. Tomato seedlings that enjoy stress-free lives with no serious setbacks quickly adapt to garden life, and few things are more rewarding that harvesting sun ripened tomatoes from plants you started as tiny seeds. How long does it take to grow tomatoes from […]

between 3 and 4 feet tall. Sizes of Vine Tomato Plants Typically growing between 3 and 4 feet tall, determinate tomato plants are suitable for container or indoor growing. Even smaller, some determinate tomato plants are also dwarf varieties growing only 2 feet tall. Determinate tomato plants stop growing once they produce flowers. How tall […]

A: You can leave your grow lights on 24 hours for your tomato and pepper starts but you shouldn’t. More better to give these upstarts 6 – 8 hours of darkness. Position the lights ~2″ from the plant tops to guard against them getting leggy. Can you give tomatoes 24 hours of light? Yes, tomatoes […]

It is true that your seedlings need bright light to grow healthy and strong—but, too bright a LED light could actually damage them if it’s too close – plus, seedlings also need a period of darkness in order to thrive. Generally, pepper seedlings should receive roughly 12 to 16 hours of light a day. How […]