Is The Tomato A Vegetable?

The controversy as to whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable has been around for some time now. But did you ever hear the story as to why there was so much conflict as to how to classify it? Well, in order to get the real story you have to back back a few years. Actually you have to go back over a hundred years for the answers to this story.

Back in 1893 the United States Supreme Court made a ruling that tomatoes were to be classified as vegetables and that is the way that it’s been for over 100 years. But you might ask yourself, why was the very highest court in the United States asked to make a ruling on this controversial issue? The answer comes from an issue surrounding what else but taxes. In the 1890’s there were three fruit importers named George, John and Frank Nix who were in the business of importing and they just so happened to have a shipment of tomatoes arriving from the West Indies. It was this shipment of tomatoes that would create a huge controversy that to this day is still something that people argue about. During this time period in the 1890’s there were no taxes placed upon the imports of fruits but all vegetables had taxes levied against them. These fruit importers, in an effort to avoid the taxes on the tomatoes, wanted them classified as fruits so that’s how we got to the point of engaging the highest court in the land.

In the court’s decision it did in fact acknowledge that tomatoes were technically a fruit but in what the court called the “common language of the people” they should be classified as vegetables. In addition to tomatoes the court also ruled that peas, squash, cucumbers and beans should also be classified as vegetables because they are grown in the common kitchen garden and because, for the most part, they were normally served as part of a meal rather than as a dessert. It’s at this point where history wrote the book on tomatoes being classified as a vegetable.

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Growing Tomatoes From Seeds Start Now

This is a great way to get the tomatoes which you would like rather than the ones which are available at the garden centres. They don’t regularly have a wide range and with over 7000 to choose from you should be able to find one which you like.

You can buy seeds from many different outlets – on-line, garden centres, some Do it yourself stores and mail order. Often the mail order ones are small plug plants which are more often than not very good quality, although I have to say for me, there is just something about watching that first sprout push its way out of the compost which I find sadly, incredibly fulfilling.

Growing Tomatoes from Seed

If this is your first time at growing tomatoes from seeds it does not have to be a costly venture. Seedlings can be developed in any little pot or vessel which has decent drainage holes. Yoghurt pots are really good and usually readily obtainable. If you want to take this up as a sideline it is worth buying seed trays and a propagator, however, if you are just developing a couple of plants to have in a grow bag on your terrace, balcony or in your hanging basket. Plastic bags with an elastic band round the top of the tub can be just as good as a propagator.

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Growing Tomatoes Like A Boss

Do you simply not like going to the vegetable store and buying tomatoes? Would you much rather grow them on your own, in your own garden and be sure they are one hundred percent safe and organic? What are you waiting for then? Tomatoes are very easy to grow. In fact, they are one of the easiest plants to grow in your garden. There are simply a few things that you must keep in mind and that is it! Juicy, delicious tomatoes in your garden!

You must know that tomatoes need space to grow. They need to spread out. Grow your plants at a distance of two feet from each other. Once you see tiny leaves sprouting, you should transfer them immediately. After two weeks you can put them in a container that measures approximately 4 inches. You should grow your tomato seedlings for a good 7 weeks indoors before finally transferring them into your garden.

Your tomatoes seedlings will need copious amounts of sun light. You should place them directly under sunlight for about 8 hours each day. Even while choosing a place in your garden for them to grow, you should choose a place that receives the highest amount of sunlight. Good sunlight exposure ensures the growth of nutritious and delicious tomatoes. This tip may sound bizarre but it has been proven that fanning the plants for about ten minutes every day is very helpful. This will not only provide good aeration but will also keep your plant away from fungal diseases. Tomatoes need a ground that is warm.

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Learn To Plant Tomato Seeds Correctly

Tomatoes are one of the most popular ingredients in our recipes. Many people do experience tomato growing problems even though they are one of the common fruit vegetables that families can easily cultivate at home. In order to reap bountiful of luscious fruit crops make sure that you choose the right variety of tomato. The appropriate variety is dependent on where you intend to grow your tomato plants.

The constant mistakes frequently encountered by most people starting to grow tomatoes at home are incorrect choice of variety, when to plant, over planting, planting in the wrong area, growth of pests, and insufficient knowledge on how to successfully grow tomatoes in your own backyard.

All these problems can be avoided if you know how to effectively grow tomato plants at home. Let us discuss on each matter one by one. The first is what type of variety you should choose if you have limited garden space. There are two kinds of varieties, the determinate and indeterminate kind. If you have only a small space you may opt to choose the determinate kind which means they will grow only for about three inches in height. Pots or any containers are suitable for planting tomatoes with small places or having a patio.

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Our Guide to Growing Tomatoes Indoors

Tomatoes are very versatile plants. Not only are they very good for any meal, these plants also grow in any area regardless of their topographic condition. This is one good thing about the tomato plant. They are not just good to eat but are also very easy to grow. These plants grow very well outdoors but at the same time grow well indoors. Caring for these fruits is not burdensome that you’ll definitely enjoy your planting and growing.

But true to the fact, tomatoes naturally grow outside our gardens. This means that caring for the tomatoes that are grown inside your home requires proper attention. Like all the rest of the plants, your tomatoes would need soil, water, light and nutrients. And as a responsible gardener, it is your duty to give to your plant what they need. It is actually very easy to grow your freshest tomatoes as long as you have the right means to have the end that you want to attain.

You can actually begin with seeds, but making use of seedlings would definitely make your life a lot easier. However, if you prefer to use seeds, you simply have to work things earlier since they are still to be germinated.

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