Did you know that next to the potato, the tomato is the most popular crop grown in the U.S.A.? Fortunately, it's simple to set up your EarthBox to grow tomatoes. All you have to do is follow these instructions to produce a healthy, happy plant with lots of fruit.
 
First of all, prepare your EarthBox according to the directions included, and be sure to incorporate two cups of dolomite with the soil before planting your seeds or transplants. If you're not familiar with growing tomatoes from seed, we recommend you start with transplants from a reputable garden center.  
 
Plant Deep
If you start with transplants, be sure to pull several leaves off at the bottom of each tomato plant, then bury the denuded part of the stem. It will actually take root, creating a more extensive rooting system, so you'll end up with a larger, healthier plant. Note: this trick is only for tomato plants!
 
One Time Only
After setting up and planting your tomatoes, water them from above (through the cover) with about two cups of water, to help set the roots. Then press firmly around the plants and above the fertilizer strip. This will eliminate any air pockets around the roots, and ensure that all the fertilizer in the strip is making contact with the potting mix for best results.
 
Tomato Basics
Tomatoes come in two types: determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are shrub-like. They're best for people who can their tomatoes, or prefer many tomatoes at once. Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-like and produce more foliage; they produce fewer tomatoes at once, but will continue producing right up until the first frost.
 
You'll also need to know how many days it will take your chosen variety of tomato plant to reach maturity. Read the back of the seed packet, or check the insert that comes with your transplant. Either will provide valuable information about the variety, including its type and the number of days required for maturity. For the most effective use of your EarthBox, choose one early variety and one late variety. 
 
The March 2008 issue of Organic Gardening includes a feature on tomatoes that they've tested in the various 'difficult' regions of the U.S. They came up with the best varieties for various conditions, as listed below.
 
Short Season:
   Earthly Wonder (determinate)............. 55 days
   Fireworks (indeterminate)................. 60 days
   Glacier (determinate)....................... 58 days
   Stupice (indeterminate).................... 52 days
 
Cold Nights:
   Bush Beefsteak (determinate)............. 62 days
   Early Girl (indeterminate).................. 52 days
   Yellow Pear (indeterminate)............... 78 days
 
Heat and Drought Tolerant:
   Green Grape (determinate)................ 70 days
   Heartland (indeterminate)................. 68 days
   Porter (indeterminate)..................... 65 days
 
Heat and Humidity Tolerant:
   Brandywine Sudduth (indeterminate)..... 85 days
   Celebrity (determinate).................... 70 days
   Crimson Carmello (indeterminate)........ 70 days
   Homestead (determinate)................. 80 days
 
Any Questions?
Whether or not you're experienced at growing tomatoes, please don't hesitate to ask questions if you need to. You have several options for getting help:

• Join our free Forum and post your questions there. 
• Ask questions at your local garden center. They're usually knowledgeable about the plants they sell. 
• Contact your Local Cooperative Extension for information about growing tomatoes in your specific area, and about which varieties grow best. Your county extension agent can also help you identify a disease or insect and recommend a solution. Ask them for links to their website.

Happy and healthy harvests to you!

Sincerely,