The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Including Heirloom Tomatoes (Back-To-Basics Gardening) [Paperback]

Cherie Everhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010 | Series: Back-To-Basics

The average tomato farmer has more than 100 varieties of tomatoes, ranging from the sweetest, juiciest strains available to the smallest, easiest to grow options out there. Tomatoes are found in thousands of dishes across the world and they are notoriously expensive, especially in years when bad weather can destroy anywhere between 10% and 60% of the crops harvested in the United States annually. For all these reasons and more, many people have taken to growing their own tomatoes, setting up containers in their kitchens and digging plots in the back yard. But, effectively growing tomatoes is more than just a hobby for most. It is a challenge and without the right knowledge of how tomatoes grow and what they need, it can be downright frustrating. Growing tomatoes is a task anyone can accomplish and enjoy and this book strives to provide every possible resource and tip needed for you to become one of a growing legion of tomato growers. You will learn the fundamental basic aspects of all tomato plants that have helped growers around the world master their craft and create the largest tomatoes around. You will learn the basics of composting and fertilization and what each tomato plant benefits best from. You will also learn how to select your garden location and the seemingly complex but ideal task of starting from seed with your new tomato plants. You will learn what kinds of support systems are best for each kind of tomato plant, including the kinds of watering, cages, and nets that your plants might benefit most from. Tomato experts who have created a livelihood for themselves in growing and mastering the tomato plant have been interviewed around the country and their responses added to the book, helping you to know how to set the plants, prune them effectively, read a tomato plant at various times during the season and even to combat the various trials and tribulations of tomato growing, from pests and disease to frost and storms. Everything you could possibly need to know about tomatoes, how to grow them and how to effectively start a new hobby and possibly create secondary income, is included in this guide for you.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In this back to basics guide, the Georgia-based author offers tips to help gardeners maximize the quality, yield, and diversity of the tomatoes they grow. With an emphasis on organic methods, Everhart (PhD, chemistry) discusses heirloom vs. hybrid varieties, cultivation strategies, pest management, and how to extend the growing season. The guide includes case studies, illustrations, recipes, resources, a glossary, and garden log template. --©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR

Many people are turning to their agricultural roots in order to become self-sufficient by growing and preparing their own food. Atlantic Publishing has a Back to Basics series of books that teach you Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply. Three handy books out of several in the series include The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Including Heirloom Tomatoes, Growing Healing and Medicinal Herbs: and Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits and herbs from Containers. Growing Tomatoes by Cherie H. Everhart explains the juiciest to the smallest and easiest to grow strains of tomatoes as well as the benefits of growing heirlooms (more variety of colors, flavors, textures and shapes which is nice if you are a foodie as well as promoting agricultural diversity which helps protect food supply monoculture is a dangerous concept since a single insect or disease can wipe out an entire crop and even strain) to saving seeds and getting bigger yields. Natural and organic gardening tips are included like natural pest and disease control(insert a carrot into the ground close to your tomato plant and see if worms attack the carrot; diluting a solution of aspirin and spraying it on tomato plants helps fight fungal infections like blight). The information and tips in this book provides invaluable advice. --New Living Magazine August 2011 Edition

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Publishing Company (FL) (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601383509
• ISBN-13: 978-1601383501
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Much Missing August 31, 2012

By Ausie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The most surprising omission in this book is that related to fruit yield, quality and disorders even though these are primary concerns for both the commercial grower and home gardener. The most vexing fruit disorder is blossom-end rot, followed by misshapen fruit and low fruit yield and quality, subjects not at all addressed in this book. The discussion on "pruning" was difficult to follow, with vague instructions as to what and how to prune. The removal of plant leaves would have a significant negative effect on fruit yield. For indeterminate varieties, the removal of axial suckers is absolutely essential as they will develop into another fruiting stem, thereby reducing fruit size of fruit already set on fruiting clusters on the main stem as well as delay their ripening. Vegetative stems on flower clusters should also be removed. Another important task is to cluster prune, removing slow developing fruit, or fruit that are not normal in appearance when first observed. Fruit pruning is practiced in order to maintain high fruit quality and to standardize fruit size. Leaving slow developing fruit on a fruit cluster will reduce fruit set and delay fruit sizing as well as slowing ripening of fruit on other fruit clusters. Only one page was given to fertilization of the tomato plant, yet plant nutrition affects plant growth and fruit yield, with both excessive and insufficient nutritional conditions that will led to low yield and poor fruit quality. Excessive fertilization is not uncommon that promotes vegetative growth that, in turn, reduces both fruit set and fruit quality, as for example, the occurrence of blossom-end rot that has a significant nutritional aspect. Hydroponics is the most common greenhouse growing method, a subject that is not at all mentioned in the text. This book is not a "complete guide," as these omissions require the reader to look to other sources for guidance in growing tomatoes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom-A-to, Tom-ah-to - it's all good info! January 20, 2011

By Vicki Landes

Format:Paperback

"The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes" is chock-full of everything imaginable relating to tomatoes. Author Cherie Everhart begins with a history of the tomato and its gradual spread across the world. She walks the reader through a comprehensive list of the various types of tomatoes to include heirloom varieties with descriptions and recommended uses of each. For example, some tomatoes are better for using in sauces while others are better for slicing and eating fresh. Everhart also gives detailed information on how to grow tomato plants with soil, lighting, watering, fertilizing, and companion planting in mind for optimal results. She also gives specific state extension center resources to assist the reader in soil analysis and a garden log for easy recordkeeping. Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, "The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes" has something for you.

I had no idea there could be so much to learn about tomatoes! While they are relatively easy to grow, I found the additional information on tomato history and all of the different varieties and uses quite fascinating. Further, I thought her recommendations on growing specific plants nearby in order to enhance the growth or taste of the tomato to be a fun way to experiment if you already know the ins and outs of basic gardening. Everhart writes with an easy style that makes learning about this debated `fruit or vegetable?' quick and fun. You'll be ready to plant before you even finish reading!

"The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes" is the perfect read for the beginner as well as the experienced and even the large area, greenhouse, and container gardener. Easy to follow information makes starting the process extremely fast while case studies from the experts on their `tried and true' techniques can assist in avoiding unnecessary mistakes. I especially liked Everhart's inclusion of organic methods. Many people today grow their own gardens to provide healthier alternatives to chemically fertilized foods and a cheaper alternative to the expensive grocery store organic selection. Her valuable information helps the would-be gardener grow their own food while ensuring they maintain that `organic' distinction. A must read if you are even thinking about planting tomatoes!

Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal"

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a "complete" guide March 12, 2011

By Irene Watson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Imagine going out into your garden in the back yard or to your container garden and picking a warm sun-ripened tomato off the vine. Yes, it can be done regardless if you have an acre of land, a small plot, or a bunch of containers; all will give you the opportunity to grow tomatoes.

This book is perfect for a first-timer gardener or a novice. You will learn the difference between hybrid and heirloom tomatoes, how to select the proper site, how to start seedlings, how to plant outside, how to support the vines, what other plants companion with the tomatoes, all about pests and diseases, as well as how to care for the plants. For those that don't have garden space there is a great section on container and raised bed gardening. And, then there is the award - harvesting.

I've been a long time tomato grower and have yielded wonderful crops. Cherie H. Everhart covers every aspect you need to know and she does so in lay terms. This step-by-step guide is sure to yield a bountiful and delicious crop for you and the end result will be one to savor. It's time we return to basics and nourish our bodies with wholesome homegrown foods.