Course Plan
Step 1 - Start right
Step 2 - Get proper ventilation
Step 3 - Irrigate better
Step 4 - The necessity of dehumidifying
Basic Concept
The square footage unit is easily replicable depending on the set up, and all the research is done with this unit.
One root system provides for two leaders. The number of leaders is what matters, not the number of plants.
The optimal spacing for beef tomatoes is 18 inches apart.
Tunnel grown tomatoes need more space than field ones. Plant your tomato rows 5 feet apart (counting the pathways). (figure 1)
For a 100-foot tunnel, that gives you 500 sq.ft beds.
Optimal spacing for beef tomatoes is 0.27 leaders/sq.ft.
0,27 leaders/sq.ft. means, for a 500 sq.ft bed, plants should be planted 18 inches apart on the row. (figure 2)
If you have smaller paths, increase the spacing. For a wider pathway, plant closer to each other.
Use this calculator if you cannot use the standard 5’x100’ bed spacing.
When the seedling reaches its third leaf, take the head off by pinching just above the 2nd leaf. The two suckers from the shoulder of leaf 1 and 2 will be your leaders for the whole season. (figure 3)
If you missed the opportunity to pinch at the 3-leaves stage, you can keep a sucker later on.
Which will become your second leader.
Tomatoes always follow the same pattern: 3 leaves, one cluster.
It is important to always keep the sucker that is right under a cluster. It is by far the most vigorous one. (figure 4)
The downside of the sucker-under-cluster technique is that the second leader will produce 2-4 weeks later than the first.
Growing two leaders per plant helps balance the vigor. A too vigorous plant is hard to control, and steer, toward fruit producing.
Having two leaders also reduces labor costs, as it cuts down on seed starting, potting up, transplanting, and half of the seed expenses.