How to Grow Tomatoes: Basket Weave

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Question by Lucky: how to grow tomatoes?
i have no gardening experience at all! i live in illinois and the temp is around 40’s. when is it a good time to start growing tomatoes? im always buying them and i love them in salads and i just got the bright idea to start growing them myself and save some money. i have no clue where to start lol. any tips or advice? any books or websites that help?

Best answer:

Answer by Angela M
The best bet is to go to the local greenhouse and ask them when to plant. It varies from region to region (here in NC they’ve just started planting, and in CA they’ve been in the ground since late feb). A word of warning, though, the plant will fruit all at once, and you will spend most of the season waiting for them, and about two weeks eating nothing else…

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10 Comments

  1. Awesome advice I have been looking for a great Idea like this as I am planting a huge tomatoe farm this year 100+ plants. You still need to keep plants at least three to for feet apart? Or does this allow for closer plantings? Thanks!

  2. What does Determinant and Indeterminant mean?

  3. When pruning basket weaved tomatoes we typically only remove the lowest two or three suckers on the plant. Tying the string between the stakes tight does cause some abrasion to the tomato plant though in most cases the damage is insignificant.

  4. Exactly what I needed for my determinant row of ‘maters! You’re the bomb! Thanks!

  5. In which case, as the plant shrinks in size in one direction as you prune it, does the twine not become saggy? Then, as the plant grows, does the twine not become too tight, cutting into the plant and damaging it?

  6. – Pruning is optional. If you have the time pruning up to the first flower cluster is beneficial.

  7. Awesome technique. Do you ever prune the tomato plants?

  8. Interesting. Thank you.

  9. i would plant them in after the last full moon in May. that is when the last frost usually is. oh and i have my best tomatoes with tomato plants from WAL-MART!

  10. Seed germination requires 65 degrees at the lowest. You may want to start with plants from Home Depot or Lowes or Wal-mart (or who ever is local to you).

    Here is some good help:

    http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/easygardening/tomato/tomato.html

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