1. Healthy Garden Soil – Growing bigger tomatoes it starts with your soil. I row garden on a 20 x 40 plot, so I till my garden and I till deeply. Many gardeners use the lasagna method, turned soil method or raised beds because they don’t require tilling. I proudly garden as my grandfather did. Before the garden is tilled, I recommend having your soil analyzed by your local County Extension Office, Agricultural Center. They determine what nutrients are needed before planting my garden. You can also purchase your own kit and analysis the soil yourself. Different vegetables deplete the soil of nutrients like calcium or iron during the growing season. Having the soil analyzed will help determine what you need to add to ensure you have a healthy garden. Also, have the soil analyzed before adding fertilizer.
2. Organic compost – I use organic material to grow bigger tomatoes in my garden. Many gardeners call it Black Gold. I mix the compost into the soil before placing my tomato or peppers in the hole and side dress the plant with a nice helping of the same compost. If you don’t have organic compost, use dried crushed eggshells, crushed calcium pills and/or Epsom Salt in the hole before planting along with a dose of manure. The eggshells, calcium pills and Epsom Salt provide calcium to your plants.
3. Plant deeply – Another key to growing bigger tomatoes is to remove the bottom leaves from the tomato plant. Only the top leaves should be exposed as shown above. You want your plant to have deep roots, so the deeper you plant the better.
4. Provide natural fertilizer – Coffee grounds are an excellent natural fertilizer for growing tomato and pepper plants. I mix a few tablespoons in with my organic compost, above, and side dress around the entire base of the plant. Coffee grounds attract earthworms. Earthworms are great for aerating the soil, and keeps away snails and slugs which are detrimental to your plants. If you don’t have organic fertilizer, purchase Miracle Grow tomato fertilizer and spread around the base of your plants.