Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in home gardens—and gardeners throughout the country look forward to harvesting and eating that first sun-ripened tomato of summer. Gardeners can choose from different types of tomatoes, including slicing tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and paste tomatoes. Open-pollinated, heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties are available. When selecting tomato varieties, consider garden performance, disease resistance, flavor, color and yields. Tomatoes are usually started from seed indoors and then transplanted to the garden. These garden favorites grow best in full sun, in well-drained soil and with plenty of air circulation. Tomato plants usually benefit from staking, mulching and pruning.