2 weeks Ago By Brian Dillon
Tomatoes are a seasonal plant that need a certain temperature to grow. March and April might be the time to start sewing your tomato seeds as temperatures rise and spring arrives . Spring officially arrives today, March 20, as we experience the equinox .
If you want ripe and juicy tomatoes from your garden in time for summer, then you need to act quick as we reach the perfect temperature. According to the gardening experts at The Spruce, soil temperatures need to be at least 15.5C (60F) to start growing.
However, you also need to consider what the temperature of the soil is at all times, not just during the day and sunlight hours. Nighttime soil temperatures need to be at least 10C (50F). This applies to people who plan to grow tomatoes outdoors where they cannot control temperatures.
So, how do youy make sure your soil is the right temperature? You will need to purchase a soil tester, which can measure the temperature. There are a range of options available from different retailers such as Amazon where the cheapest ones can be purched for just over £5. However, tomatoes can start growing inside, where the temperature of the soil is more easily controlled.
If you decide to do this, you will need to choose a spot in your home that gets plenty of sunlight and where you will be able to get plenty of air flow. Seedlings can be grown indoors before they are planted outside. For those wanting the best tomatoes this summer , then there are a few other tips that they need to know about .
Gardeners should plant their stems deep into the ground, water them deeply, don't crowd seedlings and prune leaves that form between branches as they will take energy away from leaves that will bear fruit. Experts have recently shared another handy hack for growing tomatoes. If you place a basil plant beside your tomato plant, you will ward off pests that could potentially destroy your crop.
Additionally, basil might even make your tomatoes taste better if they share soil..
