[Tomato Dirt #174] 3 Things to Look for When Buying Tomato Plants

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[Tomato Dirt #174] 3 Things to Look for When Buying Tomato Plants
April 11, 2019

Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 9, Number 8

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

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FEATURE: 3 Things to Look for When Buying Tomato Plants

Image: Tomato Dirt

Whether you want to know how to buy tomato plants through the mail or in person at a garden center, a few principles help you choose which varieties to buy.

For instance, you need to know what kinds of tomatoes you wish to grow: cherry tomatoes for snacking, beefsteak tomatoes for sandwiches, plum tomatoes for sauces and for drying? And you need to choose tomato varieties that will work well in your garden’s climate and growing conditions.

But when it comes to actually inspecting the plants to check their health (whether those in stock on the shelves or those that you ordered by mail), look for these three things:

Dark foliage. Pale green or yellow coloration indicates a nutrient deficiency. Curling, discoloration, or holes can mean disease, pests, poor lighting, under-watering, or over-watering.
Strong central stem.
No blossoms or fruit. It surprises gardeners that the best tomato plants to buy do not have blossoms or fruit already formed. Advanced growth in starting containers can be a tip off that the plant was over-fertilized as a seedling. If possible, avoid buying tomato plants with flowers or fruit, especially early in the season.

Discover what else to look for when you buy tomato plants

… and specifics about how to buy tomato plants through the mail.

FREE Kitchen Gardener Planner for Tomato Dirt Readers

Our friends at Gardener’s Supply offer this FREE Kitchen Garden Planner so you can use square-foot gardening techniques to create your own super-productive veggie garden, no matter how much or how little space you have. Customize a pre-planned garden or create your own using their cool online tools! Check it out here.