TRELLISING: Basket-weave by pounding 5-6’ stakes every 2-3 plants, using heavier t-posts intermittently & at ends of beds. For tall indeterminates, consider short extensions or pruning once they outgrow a manageable size for easy harvest. PRUNING: Indeterminates likely benefit by removing all suckers under the first strong branch directly below the first flower cluster. The lower bottom suckers often miss trellis supports, set fruit closer to soil, take energy from upper parts, & encourage spread of disease from soil. If needed later in season, consider thinning out leaves to increase airflow or topping plants to help finish ripening last fruits. DISEASES & INSECT PESTS: Learn your common pests & options for control, including resistant cultivars & pesticides. Avoid wet leaves & handling when wet or using tobacco products. Manage plant debris & crop rotations. HARVEST: Fruits ripen gradually from the blossom end to shoulders & from the base of clusters to the tips. Harvest softer fruit unstacked into shallow, padded trays. Use fully ripe fruit only for local retail or home-use. To deliver sound fruit, pick less ripe the further the distance & the longer the time between field & customer. Any fruit breaking color will still ripen post-harvest. Calyx can be removed or kept to prove freshness. If staking larger fruit with calyx on, consider trimming below shoulders when harvesting. STORAGE: Store blemish-free, near-ripe fruit 4-7 days at room temperature in darkness. Store longer with proper variety selection, picking less-ripe, & keeping at cooler temperatures 45-60oF (7-16oC). Colder & picking too green will sacrifice end-quality. Tomato Green Tiger Organic Seed 15
