Tomatoes: Site and Seed Selection

Tomato field site should have well-drained soils free from flooding. Farmers should avoid selecting a site/field in which a crop of tomato family was grown before e.g. potatoes, eggplant, capsicum and tobacco. This is because they share common pests and diseases.

After selecting a suitable site, soil sampling and analysis is important. This will enable a farmer to know which soil disease to manage and the nutrients capacity of the soil.

Seed and Seedlings Selection

Always go for certified tomato seeds and seedlings. These are disease free and give higher yields.

Varieties preference may depend on where to grow (greenhouse or open field), target market and tolerance to fungal/bacteria prevalence.

Common varieties include:

1. Greenhouse - Uwezo RZ F1, Valouro RZ F1, Anna F1.

2. Open field - Jarrah RZ F1, Gamhar RZ F1, Ansal F1, Bawito Safa F1. To mention but a few.

Buying Seedlings

By buying mature seedlings you have saved a month’s work.

When you plant seeds only 70 to 80% survive to seedlings. If you buy 100 seedlings you will have 100 seedlings. The seedlings are the same size so you get even growth.

Buy certified and quality seedlings from a good seedling raiser like Kimplanter Seedlings & Nurseries. They are grown professionally with quality seeds free from pests and diseases.

This is where we will be ending our discussion for today. Remember to share your comments, views and opinions.

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