6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes

6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the essence of summer here in North Carolina. Their gorgeous red, orange, purple, and yellow skins, filled with juicy, flavorful centers, leave us craving those fresh tomato sandwiches and homemade sauces all year long. And those gorgeous fruits, while not in short supply here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, can be grown on your own. With a little guidance, we can help you grow the juiciest tomatoes that are full of rich tasting flavor and have your vines overflowing all summer/fall long.

But before we begin, let’s go over the basics. Tomatoes need three things to grow: LOTS of sun, consistent watering, and proper soil nutrition. Without one of these three things, unfortunately, your tomatoes will not yield the best results and might leave you disappointed this summer. So let’s focus on getting these steps right… and you’ll be golden.

Without further ado, here are Garden Valley’s 6 professional tips for growing delicious, tasty tomatoes:

1. Planting from Seedling (that you purchased at Garden Valley, of course)

WHEN? For zone 7b, which is central North Carolina, it is recommended that you plant your seedlings in late April or early May (a few weeks after your last frost).

HOW? Plant your tomatoes deep into the soil, up to the first leaf. This encourages new root growth from the stems. And the more root growth for your tomato plant means a strong and healthier stem that easily allows nutrients to pass through.

2. Pruning

Pruning is an essential step in growing healthy tomato plants. Tomato plants produce “suckers”, which is just a cute word for branches that grow between the main step and the branch. If allowed to grow, they can produce fruit, BUT they also make it more likely for your plant to develop a disease. Suckers will eventually overcrowd your plant if left to grow, which inhibits the sunlight exposure as well as air flow. 

It’s also important to prune any dead branches that may have been damaged via a storm or etc. This will allow the other healthy stems to get all of the nutrients, instead of the dead branch.

Image via Gardening Know How

3. Watering

When first transplanting your tomato plants, lightly water the top layer of soil and be careful not to drown them. We also recommend adding a layer of mulch around the plants to help act as a moisture regulator. 

WHEN? When watering, time of day truly does matter. Water your plants as early in the day as possible to prevent an increase of disease chance to your plant.

HOW? To properly water, slowly water around the stem of the plant, allowing sufficient time for the soil to soak it up. Do not drench your leaves, because unfortunately, wet leaves encourage disease. Watering around your stem, not directly on it, will also encourage outward root growth.

Your tomato plants will probably need a daily water check as well. If they look a little droopy/wilted, it’s probably time to water them.

4. Light

Full sun. Period. 

5. Feeding

Tomatoes need lots of help with nutrients, and your backyard soil probably doesn’t cut it. Tomatoes LOVE nitrogen, which helps them grow healthy, tall, and FULL of fruit. So adding a good compost mix to your soil before planting will help your plants out tremendously. We also recommend fertilizing with a tomato specific fertilizer throughout the growing period to give them an added boost of nutrients. 

FARMER’S TIP
Add a raw fish and crushed egg shells at the base of your tomato when planting. Your tomatoes will thank you.

6. Support

Tomatoes need lots of support due to the heavy fruits that they produce. These fruits will cause the branches to fall and lay on the ground, which will cause rot to your tomato. They are also susceptible to wind damage, so using tomato cages are the perfect way to protect your plants from themselves and natural surrounding elements. 

Image via HGTV

5 Potential Pesky Pests and Problems

1. Tomato Horn Worm- those green giant worms that love to eat your ENTIRE plant. You can just pluck these off and chuck them far, far, far away.  

2. Aphids- Can be controlled with ladybugs (which love to feast on aphids) or a homemade organic insecticidal soap (1 T castile soap : 1 qt. water)

3. Slugs- sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your plant to prevent them from entering

4. Blossom End Rot- black spots on fruit, which basically means your plant needs more calcium. Just add a good tomato fertilizer and that should help.]

5. Cracked Fruit- caused by inconsistent watering. Will usually heal over time.

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From Garden Valley:

We wish you nothing but the best growing season, and that your tomato plants produce fruit “coming out of your ears”. If you need ideas on how to use your tomatoes, you can, of course, try this delicious Tomato Tart. OR you could try out this mouth watering Sicilian Pasta Sauce made by our own Susan Laparra. OR you could just make a good ole’ fashioned Southern Tomato Sandwich.

Whichever way you choose to use your tomatoes, we want to see them. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket

Keeping Your Hanging Basket Beautiful

You finally have your GORGEOUS hanging basket that you hand picked from Garden Valley Farmers Market. You’re watering it and admiring its unique beauty and color that it brings to your home. With a little work, love, and the following tips, let’s keep your hanging baskets looking absolutely gorgeous and full of blooms all summer long.

Location

When choosing your hanging baskets, remember to keep location in the forefront of your mind. Needing a shade plant? We recommend Ferns, Wandering Jew, and Fuchsia!
Needing a basket that’s in a sunny location? Petunia, Million Bells, and Lantana are GREAT choices for you, and come in a beautiful variety of colors.

Fertilize… slowly

Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to fertilizing your hanging basket. Why? First, if fertilizing too much, the flower/plant can become stressed by growing too fast and cause it to go into shock. Slow growth is much better than the opposite in the long run. Second, its important to fertilize because the soil is not exposed to the same soil as a garden bed would be. It’s not getting the same organic compounds and nutrients from the earth when its hanging in the air, so regular fertilizing of your basket is recommended.

Watering

How and when you water your basket is secretly an important tip. Most baskets tend to dry out faster than a bedding plant or pot would because they are exposed to more wind, so watering once (sometimes twice) daily is recommended with most hanging baskets. However, be sure to ask your sales associate for your specific plant’s watering needs if there is no tag).
When is the best time to water, you ask? We recommend early morning. Early morning watering gives the plant enough time to absorb the moisture that is needed so that it can survive the heat of the day, but any time, as long as you’re watering, is a good time.

Regular Pruning and Deadheading

Once a week, cut back and remove any damaged leaves or flower buds from your basket. You will notice a huge difference in the longevity of life from your basket if this is done and kept up with. Doing this not only increases growth in your basket, but it also increases the bloom development. And we all want that, right?!

F Y I

MOST hanging basket from Garden Valley Farmers Market do not need to be repotted, as long as they are kept trimmed back and pruned. But on the off chance that the basket might need some saving… check out the next section on what to do.

Your Plant May Have Outgrown It’s Container

If your plant starts to look overgrown, it might be time for you to repot your basket. Hanging baskets can become root bound because the roots will have no room left to grow. If you haven’t kept up with the regular pruning of your basket, you can repot your plant into a hanging basket that is a size bigger. Wire baskets filled with a coconut liner are a great option because they increase air flow through the root of the plant.

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We would love to see photos of how beautiful your hanging baskets are this summer, so tag @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket in your posts, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #gardenvalleyfarmersmarket and show us your beautiful baskets!

Lastly, if you find this information helpful, we’d love it if you would support us
by sharing with your friends.

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. If you’re wanting to earn rewards and be easily connected with us, download our new App. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team

Heirloom Tomato Tart with Basil Sauce by Our Balanced Bowl

Heirloom Tomato Tart

I was so thrilled when Garden Valley Market reached out to me and asked that I develop a recipe using their product AND write a guest post on their blog! I moved to Burlington 4 years ago and have always loved popping in, being greeted by their friendly staff and always finding top notch produce.

I knew instantly that since it’s finally Summer that I wanted to develop a recipe using heirloom tomatoes. Fun fact: This is only the second Summer of my entire life that I have liked tomatoes! I always hoped that my taste buds would eventually change and lo and behold - they did! Another fun fact: In college, I worked at a produce stand in my hometown. I missed out on so many experiences to try the beautiful tomatoes while I was there - so you can bet that I’m making up for lost time now!

So what even are heirloom tomatoes?

According to some quick research I found on Bon Appetit, “The seeds are what make an heirloom tomato an heirloom tomato. They are passed down from season to season, taken by the farmers from the tomato plants that produced the best fruit. This process allows farmers to select for certain desirable traits like juiciness, size, shape, or color. Heirloom tomatoes are also often open-pollinated, which means that they are pollinated naturally, by birds, insects, wind, or human hands. No weird science-y genetic modification here.”

Basically, these are super cool, quirky tomatoes that don’t look like OR taste your regular ol grocery store ones. They might look super wonky but you can bet they will be extra juicy, most likely pretty large, and full of delicious flavor.

Let me tell you a little bit about this tart:

• It’s baked on a pre-made puff pastry because it’s summer and no one has time to make puff pastry from scratch when you’re just trying to live your summer vibe life

• It’s loaded with fresh, juicy heirloom tomatoes (ranging from german johnson to cherokee purple!)

• Topped with the most insanely fresh basil sauce made

• Also topped with super creamy and tangy feta cheese

• Best part: you can eat it with your hands! Minimal cleanup required! Yes!

It’s insanely easy and the perfect easy weeknight dinner!

Let’s get into how to make it:

You begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. I used a specific brand of puff pastry that I loved called Wewalka. I love it because it’s European style, contains no lard, and you don’t have to thaw it like normal puff pastry. It also comes with parchment paper! If desired, you can roll out the puff pastry to make it larger or more rustic looking.

Once you get the puff pastry to your desired size, poke holes all in it! You want to do this to ensure that the air can help escape from the bottom and it doesn’t just “puff” up.

Next, place it directly in the oven to par-bake for about 12-15 minutes. It’s important to do this step because otherwise the bottom of the puff pastry could be soggy.

While this is baking, slice your tomatoes into thin slices and set them aside.

When your puff pastry is done par-baking, arrange the tomatoes on top of it to cover. Add a drizzle of olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper. Place back in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

While the tart is cooking for the second half, whip up the basil garlic sauce! Place 1.5 cups of fresh basil leaves into a food processor along with 2 cloves minced garlic, salt and olive oil. Pulse until it’s blended.

By now, your tart should be done! Take it out of the oven, add a generous portion of feta cheese on top and dollop basil sauce if desired (or you could also use the basil sauce for dipping!)

Eat while warm or at room temperature! Enjoy!

Haylie Abele shares mostly healthy, occasionally indulgent recipes on her fun and lighthearted blog, Our Balanced Bowl. For more delicious, easy recipes follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or find her on her blog!

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Heirloom Tomato Tart with Basil Sauce

Ingredients

Heirloom Tomato Tart
1 lb Garden Valley Market heirloom tomatoes (about 3 medium heirloom tomatoes, any variety)
1 Wewalka sheet of puff pastry
½ cup feta cheese (more if desired)
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Olive oil
Salt and pepper (for taste)

Basil Garlic Sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1.5 heaping cups of fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil (more if needed)  
¼ tsp salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare your puff pastry on parchment paper and large baking sheet. Roll out if desired to make it bigger. Poke the entire puff pastry several times with a fork to allow the air to escape. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

• While the puff pastry is baking, slice your tomatoes thinly. Set aside.

• Once the puff pastry is done par-baking, remove it and place the tomatoes on top of the pastry. Add a drizzle of olive oil on top of the tomatoes as well as a generous pinch of salt and crack of black pepper. Put back in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

• While the tart is finishing up, mince your garlic. Add this and 1.5 heaping cups of basil to a food processor along with ¼ cup of olive oil and ¼ tsp of salt. Pulse until fully blended into a sauce.

• By now, your tart should be done. Remove from oven. Sprinkle generously with feta cheese and fresh basil leaves. Dollop the basil garlic sauce on top as well or use it as a dipping sauce. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Sources: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-are-heirloom-tomatoes

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Haylie Abele is the creator of Our Balanced Bowl. Local to Burlington, NC, Haylie loves all foods, fresh ingredients, and creating new recipes. She’s also married to her forever love, Benjamin. If you ever get a chance to meet her, ask her about Ben, and see how her eyes light up. It’s darling.

Haylie has also struggled with an eating disorder in her life, and she shares a bit on her blog about how her thought process finally shifted. Thank you, Haylie, for sharing your story of eating all foods in BALANCE, and creating yummy recipes that inspire us all to eat healthy, while also inspiring us to ENJOY the indulgent foods we eat.

Haylie shares mostly healthy, occasionally indulgent recipes on her fun and lighthearted blog, Our Balanced Bowl. For more delicious, easy recipes follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or find her on her blog!