The
tomato
is the edible berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known
as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America,
Mexico, and Central America. The Nahuatl word tomatl gave rise to the
Spanish word tomate, from which the English word tomato derived. Its
domestication and use as a cultivated food may have originated with
the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
It is easy to grow tomatoes at home, even if you do not have a
greenhouse, you can grow them on balcony or on your porch. Tomatoes
grow well in containers, but remember to
fertilize
them more often when they are grown in containers. Check out these
awesome tomato growing tips
here.
I grow my tomato plants from seed each year, but if you are just
starting your tomatoe growing journey, I would suggest to buy tomato
plants from your local plant nursery.
Tomatoes
do need some attention to grow well, including protection from frost,
and regular watering and fertilization. Tomatoes are tender and need
to Gradually acclimatising tender or indoor-raised plants to outdoor
conditions, to toughen them up and prevent a check in growth. Place
plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day then bring indoors
at night for a couple of weeks. Or place in a coldframe, opening the
lid during the day. harden off before being planted out. Do this by
putting them in a Cold frames are glaze box-like structures made from
brick or wood with a hinged or removable, glazed, sloping lid. Useful
to protect plants from cold weather over winter or acclimatise (harden
off) young plants in spring and provide extra warmth for tender crops
in summer. Mulch news cold frame for a week. If you don’t have a cold
frame, place them outdoors during the day, then bring in at night for
a week, then the following week, leave them out in a sheltered spot
all day and night.
Tomatoes are usually planted in large containers or growing bags in a
greenhouse or outdoors. They can also be planted in the ground, either
in a greenhouse border or outdoors. When grown outdoors they need a
really warm, sunny, sheltered location. Plant tomatoes deeply, so the
first set of leaves is just above the soil surface. Firm in, then
water well. Space plants 45–60cm (18–24in) apart, depending on the
eventually size – check seed packets for exact spacings.
Over the years, I have been perfecting my tomato soup recipe, please
see it below. It is a crowd pleaser! You will also find a begginers
check-list for all the tools you will need to grow your first
tomatoes.
My awesome tomato soup recipe 🍅🍅🍅
- 1 kg ripe tomatoes
- 1 large fennel bulb
- 2 large red bell peppers
- 2 yellow onions
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 small summer squash
- Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 l of good quality vegetable stock
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Basil
- Garlic bread
- Parmesan cheese
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Wash and chop tomatoes, fennel, bell peppers, summer squash, onions. Chop the top off your garlic, drizzle with olive oil and add a little bit of salt, then wrap it in aluminum foil.
- Place your prepared veggies in a roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil, add salt and pepper. Add parsley, rosemary, and half of the basil. Put the aluminum foil wrapped garlic in the roasting pan with all the veggies.
- Roast in the oven for about 40-50 min. Toss halfway through.
- Place your roasted veggies and herbs in a heavy bottom pot, squeeze in your roasted garlic. Do not forget to add the juices from the bottom of your roasting pan. Add vegetable stock and simmer for 15 min.
- Before blending the soup, add the rest of the basil. Blend with immersion blender until smooth. Serve with garlic bread and grated parmesan cheese.