Totally Tomatoes!

More home gardeners -- 95 percent, in fact -- grow tomatoes. The average home gardener grows six tomato plants each summer, with each plant producing at least 40 tomatoes. Americans actaully consume an average of 80 pounds of tomatoes each year. Much of this is attributed to our passion for pizza, spaghetti, chili, soups and -- if my daughter has her way -- ketchup!

As we prepare another summer vegetable garden featuring tomatoes, here are a few basics Do's and Don'ts for success.

Rotate Plants. Don't plant tomatoes in the exact same spot as last year. Using the same space contributes to disease buildup in the soil. Rotating crops by planting something different in the same spot will help break the disease/pest cycle. Try to plant tomatoes in the same spot only once every three years.

Overplanting. Don't plant too many tomatoes to the point you get overwhelmed and have tomatoes coming out of your ears. As mentioned, the average home gardener gets along fine with just six tomato plants. Personally, I do fine with just two or three. However, if you do overplant, remember that local soup kitchens are always willing to take any excess to feed the hungry.

Planting Depth. Do set tomato transplants deep in the soil. I always pick off the tiny leaves lowest ont he stem, burying the plant right up to the uppermost leaves. This encourages root development as roots will grow all along the stem instead of just at the bottom.

Space Plants Apart. Do keep several feet, if not more, between plants. Probably the most common error among novice home gardeners is planting too many tomato plants too close together.

Go Up, Young Man. Do remember that vertical growing plants (staked or caged) ripen fruits faster than those left on the ground to sprawl. Caged or staked tomato plants offer both quality fruits and some freedom from snail and slug damage.

Heat the Ground. Do speed growth up, especially early in the season, by heating the ground. Black plastic spread over the soil with only a hole dug out in order to plant, will do wonders to heat the soil ine arly spring. The ground needs to warm for tomato plants to really start growing. Black plastic will attract heat and, just as important, trap the heat underground where the roots are. Additionally, black plastic or any of the new weed fabrics, prevent weeds from sprouting and competing with plants.

Water Well. Do water well and deeply. Don't sprinkle tomato plants. In fact, once plants are up and growing, they like to be kept fairly dry. When you do water, do so deeply, really soaking the ground. Deep watering encourages roots to grow down, while sprinkling encourages shallow-growing roots.

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