More About Tomatoes
The tomato isn’t only the most popular crop grown in the home garden but is arguably the most versatile culinary used whether stewed, roasted, pureed, fresh, dried, or even smoked. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, low in calories, and a source of lycopene (the “red” in tomatoes), which has been tapped as a cancer fighting agent. Typically, the space requirements for tomatoes are minimal, with the fruit being easy to grow and adaptable to many climates.
How to Space Tomato Plants
When transplanting tomato plants, set the plant’s root ball a little deeper into a hole or trench dug into the garden than originally grown in its pot. The spacing of tomato plants is an important component for healthy, productive plants. The correct tomato plant spacing is dependent upon which variety of tomato is being grown. Generally speaking, the ideal spacing for tomato plants is between 24 and 36 inches (61-91 cm.) apart. Spacing tomato plants any closer than 24 inches (61 cm.) will reduce air circulation around the plants and may result in disease. You also want to enable light to penetrate to the lower leaves of the plants, so proper spacing is crucial. Large vine producing tomatoes should be spaced 36 inches (91 cm.) apart and rows should be space about 4 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) apart.
