Tomatoes: Tips & Trivia From a Clay County Master Gardener℠

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Tomatoes

By Eleanor Moyer, Extension Master Gardener

Ripe tomatoes in a pile.

It was 87⁰ at my house the other day, driving my tomatoes to almost cheer out loud! By now you have your plants squarely stowed in the dirt and I bet they look grand. The hot, sunny weather is just what they need. They thrive on heat and water as they are about 90ish% water themselves. While prospects are looking good, there are a few things to do.
-Make sure your tomato vine is well staked. There are many interesting DIY ideas such as a trellis table made from sticks you can explore online.
-Mulch around the plants to keep in heat and moisture and to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing up.
-Once they reach about three feet cut off the bottom leaves to about a foot up the stem, again to help prevent diseases.
-Keep track of when and how much it rains so you can supplement with irrigation.
Tomatoes require a gallon of water every 5 days. The Master Gardeners invested in a water meter at the Discovery Garden, as just looking at the soil was not an accurate measure. You definitely want to water before the plants are too parched as stress weakens the plant inviting insects and disease.
-Companion plants can do some good keeping pests at bay. Basil and marigolds are two good choices as both attract pollinators and deter even bunnies (except at my house where I have at least a million super rabbits!)
-Perusing the garden daily is another good way to nip problems before they mushroom into disasters. On your walk, you can enhance pollination by gently blowing on the flower clusters.

I have my salt, pepper, white bread, and mayonnaise all ready and have been sleuthing new tomato recipes when I came across some internet ad about tomato skins causing stomach issues. Although my mother insisted that tomatoes be peeled, I never have and here I am, hail and well. Tomatoes are a new world fruit originating in central South America contributing greatly to the diet of the Maya and Aztecs. Seeds were brought to Europe in the early 1500’s where they were considered an exotic ornamental as they were thought to be poisonous. Actually, all the green parts of the plant contain poisonous alkaloids (except of course to tomato hornworms.) Eventually the Spanish and Italians adapted tomatoes to their cuisine. Even though Thomas Jefferson cultivated tomatoes and served them at his dinner parties, it took canning in the late nineteenth century before they took off in America. Joseph Campbell began his fortune on condensed tomato soup.
Now they are one of the most popular garden vegetables in the world.

So, what about the skin? It turns out that tomatoes contain antioxidants-all four major carotenoids: alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. They are high in potassium, folate and vitamins C and K. In fact, a single tomato gives you 40% of your daily requirement for vitamin C. They are low in carbs and high in fiber. Most of this necessary nutrition is found in the skin! So, I guess mother isn’t always right!

For more information about tomatoes (including growing & diseases), visit our website or stop by our office at 25 Riverside Circle, Suite 2, Hayesville, NC. You can also give us a call at (828) 389-6305.