[TOPIC: TOMATOES]
COMPLETE GUIDE: GROWING TOMATOES

STEP 1: CHOOSE VARIETY
- Determinate: Bushy, fruits at once, good for containers.
- Indeterminate: Vine-like, fruits over time, needs staking.
- Recommended for beginners: Cherry tomatoes (e.g., Sweet 100, Sungold).

STEP 2: START SEEDS (INDOORS)
- Timing: 6–8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Germination: 5–10 days.
- Process: 
  1. Fill seed trays with seed-starting mix.
  2. Plant seeds 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep.
  3. Water gently from below or mist.
  4. Cover with a plastic dome or wrap to retain humidity.
  5. Place in a warm area (70–80°F / 21–27°C).

STEP 3: PROVIDE LIGHT AFTER SPROUTING
- Timing: Immediately after seeds sprout.
- Temperature: Day 65–70°F (18–21°C); Night 55–60°F (13–16°C).
- Process:
  1. Remove dome/plastic.
  2. Place under grow lights or a south-facing window.
  3. Keep lights 2 inches (5 cm) above seedlings.
  4. Run lights for 14–16 hours per day.

STEP 4: THIN & TRANSPLANT SEEDLINGS
- Thinning: When the second set of true leaves appears, cut weaker seedlings at the base. Keep 1 per cell.
- Transplanting: When 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) tall, move to 4-inch pots with potting mix. Bury the stem up to the first leaves.

STEP 5: HARDEN OFF SEEDLINGS
- Timing: 1 week before planting outside.
- Schedule:
  Day 1: Outside in shade for 1 hour.
  Day 2: Shade for 2 hours.
  Day 3: Morning sun for 2 hours.
  Day 4: Morning sun for 4 hours.
  Day 5: Full sun for 4 hours.
  Day 6: Full sun for 6 hours.
  Day 7: Full sun overnight (if no frost risk).

STEP 6: PREPARE GARDEN BED OR CONTAINER
- Location: Full sun (6–8 hours direct sun daily).
- Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.8.
- Soil Amendment: Mix in 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) of compost or aged manure.
- Container Minimum Size: 5 gallons (19 liters) with drainage holes.

STEP 7: PLANT OUTDOORS
- Timing: After last frost, soil temp above 60°F (15°C).
- Spacing: Determinate 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart; Indeterminate 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) apart.
- Planting Depth: Remove lower leaves. Plant deep so 2/3 of the stem is underground. Roots will grow from the buried stem.

STEP 8: INSTALL SUPPORT
- Timing: At planting time (to avoid root damage).
- For Indeterminate: Stake, cage, or trellis 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall.
- For Determinate: Cage or short stake 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) tall.

STEP 9: WATERING SCHEDULE
- Rule: Water at the base, avoid leaves to prevent disease.
- Frequency: First week water daily lightly. Then 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) water per week.
- Check Moisture: Insert finger 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) deep. Water if dry.
- Mulch: Apply 2 inches (5 cm) of straw or wood chips after soil warms.

STEP 10: FERTILIZING
- At Planting: Mix balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) into the soil.
- Later: When first fruits set, switch to low-nitrogen (e.g., 5-10-10) and repeat every 3–4 weeks.

STEP 11: PRUNING 
- Indeterminate Only: Pinch off suckers (shoots between main stem and leaf) when small. Remove lower leaves touching the soil. Top plant 4 weeks before first frost.
- Determinate: Do not prune except for yellow/diseased leaves.

STEP 12: PEST & DISEASE MANAGEMENT
- Hornworms: Handpick. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
- Aphids: Spray with water or insecticidal soap.
- Blossom end rot: Maintain even watering and calcium levels.
- Early blight: Mulch, water at base, remove affected leaves.

STEP 13: HARVESTING
- Timing: Pick when fully colored and slightly soft to touch. Pick regularly.
- Method: Twist gently until fruit snaps off the stem. Pull up entire plant before first frost and hang indoors to ripen green fruits.

STEP 14: AFTER HARVEST
- Storage: Room temperature (55–70°F / 13–21°C) away from direct sun. Do NOT refrigerate unless fully ripe.
- Next Year: Rotate crops. Do not plant tomatoes in the same spot for 3 years.