The 7 mistakes to avoid when growing tomatoes

Now we’re well into spring, many of us can, once again, take to our gardens. And with the weather slowly warming up, there’s the opportunity to grow all kinds of vegetables. Anything from fresh potatoes to sweet strawberries is possible, but one such fruit which has proven to be more popular than most is tomatoes. Being quick as well as easy to grow, tomato plants are a common sight in the vegetable garden.  

However, while these plants are simple to raise — check out how to grow tomatoes from seeds for guidance — there’s still several mistakes which can easily be made. These can happen anywhere during the process, from seeding all the way to the final stages, when your tomatoes are ready to pluck. Should you slip up, it can impair the plant’s growth, ruin the harvest and even kill it in extreme conditions. That’s why every care should be taken to avoid these 7 mistakes when growing your own tomatoes.

1. Choosing the wrong seed 

There are all kinds of tomato seeds to choose from, with different varieties producing alternative types of tomato. Make sure you do your research beforehand so you know which seed will best suit your preferences as well as the conditions in your yard. For instance, some tomato plants are more pest-resistant than others, while some will mature more quickly — ideal if you often face an early frost. If you’re tight for space, a smaller, more compact tomato plant may be best.