Treat yourself to one of the most sought after pleasures of summer: homegrown tomatoes fresh from your tomato garden.

If you have been lucky enough to taste a tomato fresh from the vine you will agree with the lyrics of Guy Clark, “There’s only two things money can’t buy. That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes”. Tomatoes not only taste wonderful, they provide many vitamins and nutrients as well, such as

Vitamin C ( boosts immune response, gingival health, produces collagen which strengthens muscle and bone, as well as an excellent antioxidant).

Vitamin A ( promotes eye health, prevents skin and tissue damage, excellent lubricant – provides moisture where needed).

Lycopene- Tomatoes are the absolute best source of lycopene you can eat ( has shown a reduction in prostate cancer, protects the heart, aids in hypertension and strengthens bones).

Studies have shown that the more tomatoes people ate, the lower their risks of many different kinds of cancer. Your tomato garden will produce much more succulent tomatoes than those available at your local grocer. This is largely due to the fact that the juiciest varieties cannot be shipped without damaging the fruit.

Fruit, you ask. In a botanical sense tomatoes are a fruit. A fruit is any edible, fleshy material covering a seed or seeds. A vegetable is the edible stems, leaves, and roots of the plant. So the tomato is a fruit. However, the Supreme Court decided in 1883, that the tomato is a vegetable instead of a fruit.

The tomato has a heritage of misunderstanding. The tomato plant itself is a perennial. However, tomatoes are grown as annuals in most of the United States since they cannot endure fall frosts. A member of the nightshade family, their origins have been traced to South America. Early European explorers’ notion that tomatoes were poisonous subjected them to mere decorative use. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Americans to discover the delectable possibilities. Now, on average, every American consumes roughly 90 lbs of tomatoes per year.

Since a humble start, tomatoes have rebounded as the most widely planted garden crop in the United States. Simple to grow, very healthy, and have a wonderful taste, tomatoes are a fabulous inclusion for any garden.

With over 40 years of tomato gardening under his belt, Michael McAfee composes articles about Tips On Growing Tomatoes in your very own Tomato Garden. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Fresh homegrown tomatoes! Sound like summer? Your tomato garden will provide this summertime treat for you.

If good fortune has provided you the opportunity to taste a vine ripened tomato, you should have a clear understanding of Guy Clark’s lyrics, “There’s only two things money can’t buy. That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes”. Tomatoes have much more to offer that just their delectable taste. They are loaded with essential vitamins such as

Vitamin C ( strengthens immunity, oral health, aids in collagen production for stronger muscle and bone, also a superb antioxidant).

Vitamin A (from beta carotene-promotes eye health by helping your eyes adjust to changes when coming in from outside, has antioxidant properties which neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular and tissue damage, and keeps the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes moist).

Lycopene- of all the foods you eat, tomatoes are the best source of lycopene anywhere ( lycopene reduces the risk of prostate cancer, and is proving to protect the heart as well as decrease blood pressure).

Studies have shown that the more tomatoes people ate, the lower their risks of many different kinds of cancer. Your tomato garden will produce much more succulent tomatoes than those available at your local grocer. This is largely due to the fact that the juiciest varieties cannot be shipped without damaging the fruit.

Fruit, you ask. In a botanical sense tomatoes are a fruit. A fruit is any edible, fleshy material covering a seed or seeds. A vegetable is the edible stems, leaves, and roots of the plant. So the tomato is a fruit. However, the Supreme Court decided in 1883, that the tomato is a vegetable instead of a fruit.

The tomato has a heritage of misunderstanding. The tomato plant itself is a perennial. However, tomatoes are grown as annuals in most of the United States since they cannot endure fall frosts. A member of the nightshade family, their origins have been traced to South America. Early European explorers’ notion that tomatoes were poisonous subjected them to mere decorative use. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Americans to discover the delectable possibilities. Now, on average, every American consumes roughly 90 lbs of tomatoes per year.

Since modest beginnings, tomatoes have become the most popularly grown garden plant in America. Easy to care for, good for your health, and great to eat, tomatoes make a wonderful contribution to any garden.

With roughly 40 years of tomato gardening experience, Michael McAfee composes articles about How To Grow Tomatoes in your own Tomato Garden. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

A good vegetable garden can give the homeowner immense satisfaction and pride. What can surpass the flavour of freshly-cut asparagus, garden-fresh peas, a bowl of freshly picked strawberries or corn on the cob boiled and eaten within minutes of picking from the garden? Only a home gardener or a true gourmet really appreciates the difference in flavour between “store bought” produce and garden-fresh vegetables.

Plan to grow the vegetables which your family enjoys. Consideration of family preferences will go a long way towards making the vegetable garden a success.

Locate your vegetable garden where it will receive at least six hours of sunshine during sunny days.

A few crops can be planted in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. These include peas, onions, lettuce, radish, spinach, parsnips and beets but in general, it is not advisable to plant your vegetable garden until after danger of frost is past.

The soil should be well dug and fertilized before planting. For root crops such as carrots, it should be free of hard lumps or stones. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach and cabbage do best if a high nitrogen fertilizer is used.

Buy good seed from a reputable dealer. Plant varieties suited to your locality. If you purchase plants to set out in your garden, examine them carefully and do not buy any which are diseased – watch for spots on stems and leaves or galls on roots.

Transplanting – When setting out plants like the snapdragons in the garden, choose a dull, sunless day if at all possible. If plants are set out on dry, sunny days or when the wind is strong, the newly set snapdragons plants may dry out before the roots become established, causing severe stunting or even death of the plants. For best results, water the plants immediately after transplanting with about 1 pint of water-soluble fertilizer solution such as 1 tablespoon of 20-20-20 dissolved in a gallon of water.

Spray or dust regularly during the summer to keep down insect pests and diseases. A Multi-Purpose Flower and Vegetable Spray is an excellent all-around treatment for most common insect and disease troubles. Cabbages and other related cole crops will require frequent treatment to keep them free from insects. After edible portions of crops appear, or if insects are present just before harvest, use a non-toxic type insecticide such as Neem oil which is all natural and organic.

One tip from a Lazy Husband: Do not plant any more than your wife can keep weeded.

Find out more as Marshall Clewis shares his experiences on indoor plants, landscaping and gardens at http://www.plant-care.com. It’s time to clear things up on the subject of snapdragons.