How to Grow Commercial Tomatoes
Grow tomatoes commercially if you have plenty of space and capital available for a high-profit crop. Tomatoes are warm-season crops that are difficult to grow, requiring constant care, maintenance and monitoring, but give sustainable results if grown correctly. With particular attention toward soil preparation and sowing seeds or transplants, trellising, watering, fertilizing and insect or pest control, you will have a healthy produce to sell commercially.
Select your planting site. Generally, you need 1 oz. of seeds for every 2 acres. Make sure the site has good drainage, good air circulation and receives full sunlight. Also make sure outdoor temperatures are between 50 to 80 degrees.
- Grow tomatoes commercially if you have plenty of space and capital available for a high-profit crop.
- With particular attention toward soil preparation and sowing seeds or transplants, trellising, watering, fertilizing and insect or pest control, you will have a healthy produce to sell commercially.
Prepare the soil to provide tomato seeds the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop. Rent a tiller to till the selected area up to 12 inches deep to aerate the soil. Turn it over with a shovel and add a mixture with equal amounts of this soil and organic compost over it. Also add a 10-52-17 starter fertilizer into the soil. Rake the area to ensure it goes deep down.
Plant tomato seedlings deep into the soil, so only four leaves are visible above ground. Space seedlings 18 inches apart, and rows 5 to 6 feet apart to provide tomato vines ample space to grow and spread.
- Prepare the soil to provide tomato seeds the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop.
- Rent a tiller to till the selected area up to 12 inches deep to aerate the soil.
Water the transplants after planting with a garden hose, until the soil is evenly moist. Water frequently to prevent the soil from going dry, as tomatoes need at least an inch of water every week. Also follow label directions for adding 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month with the watering session.
Stake your vines so they grow upright and produce good quality tomatoes. Insert wooden or aluminum stakes with wires running between them behind each tomato plant. Extend wire to the plant and tie it around firmly to train it to grow upward and along the stakes.
Tip
Always select hardy tomatoes for commercial growing, as you will not have time to check each individual plant and care for it accordingly.
Water the site at least two hours prior to planting seedlings there.
Provide consistent water to your tomato field by using a drip irrigation system.
Always water your tomato plants at soil level to avoid wetting the foliage, as it leads to disease.
Hand pick insects that feed on your tomato plants or spray an organic pesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis, esfenvalerate or carbaryl over your tomato field.
Harvest your tomatoes by hand when they are full and juicy.
Warning
Do not plant seedlings in the heat of day.
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References
Tips
- Always select hardy tomatoes for commercial growing, as you will not have time to check each individual plant and care for it accordingly.
- Water the site at least two hours prior to planting seedlings there.
- Provide consistent water to your tomato field by using a drip irrigation system.
- Always water your tomato plants at soil level to avoid wetting the foliage, as it leads to disease.
- Hand pick insects that feed on your tomato plants or spray an organic pesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis, esfenvalerate or carbaryl over your tomato field.
- Harvest your tomatoes by hand when they are full and juicy.
Warnings
- Do not plant seedlings in the heat of day.
Writer Bio
Tanya Khan is a freelance author and consultant, having written numerous articles for various online and print sources. She has a Master of Business Administration in marketing but her passion lies in writing.
