Many people are going organic these days. From cosmetics to cleaning solutions to food, consumers are making the switch from ordinary products to organic ones. The main reason for this trend is the fact that consumers can enjoy so many health benefits from using organic products. As for food, a lot of people are deciding to grow their own vegetables instead of buying produce from the grocery store. They believe that homegrown produce are a lot safer and a lot healthier compared to commercially produced ones, which usually undergo multiple stages of processing. If you want to have your own organic vegetable garden, there’s no better way to start by planting some tomatoes. Organic tomatoes are very popular with families across the country because the plants are quite easy to grow and the fruits are useful for many different types of dishes.
Health Benefits
In a farming experiment conducted by the University of California, Davis, it was discovered that tomatoes that were organically grown have more flavonoids than tomatoes that were conventionally grown (source: NPR.com). Flavonoids are natural phenolic compounds that occur in plants and are known primarily for their ability to neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause all sorts of health problems, including heart attacks and strokes. Flavonoids are also said to lower the risk of dementia and certain types of cancers.
Getting Started
One of the wonderful things about growing organic tomatoes is that you don’t need to have special skills or own specific pieces of equipment to have a successful harvest. You do have to choose from several types of tomatoes, and your choice may be limited by the type of soil you have and the climate in your area. A popular choice for organic tomato gardening is the organic heirloom tomato. It’s hard to find organic heirloom tomatoes in regular grocery stores, so it’s a good idea to plant them in your own yard. Besides, many professional chefs agree that organic heirloom tomatoes are not only more nutritious, they are tastier and more aesthetically appealing too. Whichever type of tomato you do choose to grow, however, you’ll be happy to know that practically all tomatoes are easy to grow. You can start with either seeds or seedlings, both of which you can get from your local nursery.
Organic Tomato Gardening Tips
To produce the best organic tomatoes possible, first plant the seeds or seedlings in a greenhouse or other similar structure. When the seedlings are about six weeks old, you can safely replant them to their permanent spot in your garden. Make sure there are approximately 1 1/2 feet or 36 inches of space in between seedlings so the roots and the plants don’t compete for space. Tomatoes are not high-maintenance plants at all, although you do need to provide them with organic fertilizer from time to time. Don’t water them too frequently as tomatoes tend to drown easily. One to three times a week should be enough, depending on the humidity in your area. If you do everything right, you will be rewarded with plump and juicy organic tomatoes in no time at all.
Resources:
How to Grow World Record Tomatoes: A Guinness Champion Reveals His All-Organic Secrets
