Planting, Fertilizing

Plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants where they will receive a maximum amount of direct sunlight. A fertile, well-drained soil is required for best results. If the soil is not naturally fertile, fertilize it, preferably with a combination of manure and commercial fertilizer. All three crops are moderately tolerant to an acid soil (pH 5.5 to 6.8), but strongly acid soils should be limed according to soil test recommendations.

Fertilize tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in about the same way. However, since it is more important that peppers and eggplants start quickly and grow rapidly after transplanting, give them a little more nitrogen and potassium. If peppers or eggplants start blooming and set fruit while the plants are too small, they will be stunted and fail to develop the plant size needed for a good yield.

On loam and heavier soils of fair to good fertility, 5 to 8 pounds of 5-10-5 fertilizer per 500 square feet should be mixed with the soil about a week before transplanting. On lighter or more sandy soils, 10 to 20 pounds of 5-10-5 per 500 square feet should be incorporated into the soil before planting. When the plants have set several fruits, apply a topdressing of the same type of fertilizer to prevent the plants from slowing down in vegetative growth. If the soil is very low in fertility, you may need to fertilize more frequently. Poor foliage color and stunted growth call for additional fertilizer.

Teaspoon of all-purpose fertilizer (5-10-5 or 10-6-4) applied to planting hole at planting time will give your tomato plants a good start.

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants need water in an amount equal to that provided by a 1-inch rain each week during the growing season. If rainfall is deficient or you live in an and area, soak the plants thoroughly once a week. If the soil is sandy, you may need to water more frequently. Heavy soakings at weekly intervals are better than many light sprinklings. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant respond very well to trickle or drip irrigation also.

Peppers particularly need abundant water during flowering and fruit set to prevent shedding of flowers and small fruits.

Transplanting

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant may be seeded directly into the garden in areas with a long growing season, but transplanting into the garden generally is recommended. Prior to direct seeding, work the soil into a somewhat granular condition. After planting, keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. If the seeds are sown thick to insure getting a good plant stand, thin the seedlings to the proper spacing by the time they have three leaves. When early tomatoes, peppers or eggplants are desired, or the growing season is likely to be too short for heavy yields, use purchased or home grown transplants.

Tomatoes can be safely planted outside on the frost-free date, but because peppers and eggplant are somewhat more exacting in their temperature requirements than tomatoes, they should not be planted in the garden until a week or more after the frost-free date. A good general rule is to transplant outside when the new leaves on oak trees are fully grown.

If there is danger of frost after the plants are put outside, protect them with paper or plastic coverings, newspapers, or boxes. Remove the covers during the day.

Set tomato plants into the garden at about the same depth as they were growing indoors. You don't need to remove the growing containers if they are made of peat or paper. If clay containers were used, knock the plants out of the pots before transplanting.

After transplanting, press the soil firmly around the plant so that a slight depression is formed to hold water. Then pour about a pint of water (to which fertilizer has been added) around each plant. Use 2 tablespoons of granular 5-10-5 fertilizer per gallon of water or a water-soluble starter fertilizer.

Plant peppers and eggplants in rows 30 to 42 inches apart and spaced 12 to 18 inches apart in the row.

Distances between tomato plants depend on the variety used and whether they are to be pruned and staked. Staked plants should be 18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Unstaked plants should be 3 feet apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart.

Staking or supporting tomatoes makes it easier to cultivate and harvest, and helps prevent fruit rots by keeping the fruits from coming in contact with soil. However, staked plants are more subject to losses from blossom-end rot than unstaked plants. Due to the woody nature of pepper and eggplant stems, you don't have to stake or support these crops.