How to Plant Tomatoes: Burpee

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to plant in a garden. They are packed with nutrients, versatile in cooking, and delicious to eat. If you’re planning to plant tomatoes in your garden, there’s nothing better than using Burpee seeds. Here’s how to plant tomatoes with Burpee:

Step 1: Choose the Right Tomato Variety

The first step to planting tomatoes with Burpee is to choose the right tomato variety. Depending on your location, climate, and garden size, you may want to select different types of tomatoes. Burpee offers a wide range of tomato varieties, from small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes. However, you should also consider disease resistance when selecting a variety. For example, Burpee offers Tomato 'Celebrity' which is resistant to verticillium wilt, nematodes, and other diseases.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Before planting your Burpee tomato seeds, you need to prepare the soil. Tomatoes prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a pH level between 6.0 to 6.8. If your garden soil is heavy and clay-like, you may need to amend it with sand, compost, or peat moss to improve drainage. You should also add fertilizers and organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to provide nutrients for the plants.

Step 3: Plant the Seeds

Once you have prepared the soil, it’s time to plant the Burpee tomato seeds. You can either start the seeds indoors, about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area, or plant them directly in the garden after the last frost. If you’re starting the seeds indoors, use Burpee Seed Starting Mix and keep the seedlings under grow lights or near a sunny window. Transplant the seedlings into the garden when they are about 4-6 inches tall, after the last frost has passed.

Step 4: Water and Mulch the Plants

After planting the Burpee tomato seedlings, it’s crucial to water them regularly. Tomatoes require consistent moisture, especially during the first few weeks after planting. You should aim to water the plants deeply, about 1-2 inches per week. You can also add mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.

Step 5: Support and Prune the Plants

As your Burpee tomato plants grow, they will need support to keep them upright and prevent the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit. You can use cages, stakes, or trellises to support the plants. It’s also crucial to prune the plants regularly to remove the suckers and focus the plant’s energy on fruit production. Burpee recommends removing any side shoots that appear in the crotch between the main stem and side stems.

Step 6: Harvest and Enjoy the Tomatoes

After all your hard work, it’s time to harvest and enjoy the delicious Burpee tomatoes. You can start harvesting the fruit when it’s ripe, which means they’re red (or yellow, orange, or green, depending on the variety), fully mature, and have a firm texture. You can store the tomatoes in a cool, dark place, or use them fresh in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and more. With Burpee tomatoes, you can be sure you’re getting the best quality and flavor.

In conclusion, planting tomatoes with Burpee is easy and rewarding. Just follow these six simple steps, and you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes in no time.