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A tomato plant doesn't have to be ordinary, it can be grown as a highly-productive giant with a little knowledge of how it grows. You don't need any special equipment or mail-order specialty plants to grow good tomatoes, either. I grow spectacular plants every year, using techniques I have stumbled on through trial and error.

If you are growing from seed, you need to get them started 6 to 8 weeks before time to set them out in the garden. This will mean starting them indoors, or in a hot-house, which is a separate issue altogether, so we will assume you have your plants in hand and ready to plant. Bigger is better when choosing plants, for you need to make the whole plant a root system. Tomatoes will grow roots from any part of the plant that touches the ground, this makes for the opportunity to grow Super-Plants.

The more root you have, the more portal for water and fertilizer, resulting in rapid, and unlimited growth. The end result is a spectacular harvest of large, delicious tomatoes. So, what I am going to tell you to do will seem harsh and frightening to most people, especially after purchasing nice bushy tomato plants!

Strip all the branches off, leaving only the top of the plant intact, this takes courage, but it will be alright in the end. Bury the plant all the way to the top, with just the top remaining above ground. Everything under-ground will become part of the root system, resulting in a high-yield plant. It will accept all the water and fertilizer you can throw at it, becoming a growing machine.

You can use compost, or other organic fertilizer around the base of the plant, but I tend to favor liquid fertilizer. Some are formulated for tomatoes, but I use an all-purpose(mix with water)powder fertilizer. Follow the directions, and apply about every two to three weeks. Also I spray the plants with calcium chloride every three to four weeks. This prevents blossom-end rot, and also increases the blossom-set, resulting in more tomatoes.

Tomatoes require full sun, and at least an inch of water a week, regular watering is critical to keep the plants healthy. They will need support, wooden stakes or wire cages are the two most common, however, you can invent your own method, if you desire. Some people pinch the suckers from their tomatoes, and I used to be one of these people. I have found that it is unnecessary, and decreases the yield substantially, so I leave them alone.

Mulch your plant(s) with a good layer of straw to help retain water, and also to control weeds. Keep an eye out for pests and disease, early detection is crucial to eliminating problems. If you follow these guidelines and tips, you should be enjoying tomatoes all summer long.

Learn more about this author, Marty Alan McGill.
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