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MAY 2013 HOMES PLUS 9 Grafted tomatoes for the home garden 231869002 You're probably familiar with the grafting of fruit trees for height and better production. It's a practice that's been around for a long time. But what about the grafting of vegetables? It has actually been around for some time, as well, but has been mainly used in commercial vegetable operations, especially those who specialize in growing heirloom plants and hydroponics. Grafting is done with plants in the tomato family, which also includes peppers and eggplants. These plants are now making their way to the home garden. You may ask why, what's the difference? The anatomy of a grafted tomato plant is what makes it special. It contains two parts: a special root stock picked for its resistance to diseases, pests and other stresses, and the top section, called a scion, of a specific variety of tomato wanted. The resulting plant exhibits the best of both worlds. It gives you the specific variety of tomato you want with exceptional vigor and health. If you've ever grown heirloom tomatoes, you know how hard it can be to get a good harvest. Disease and environmental conditions normally lead to a disappointing harvest some years. But with grafted tomatoes, this can all change. The hearty root stock helps fight off these pressures and improves your chances for a better harvest. This works for other varieties, as well. So, what are all of the advantages of growing grafted tomatoes? They tolerate temperature stresses better than traditional tomatoes, which would have been helpful last year during our drought. They tolerate water issues better, as well, especially excess water like we sometimes have in the beginning of the season. They fight off soil-borne diseases better. The plants grow larger and faster and normally have anywhere from a 40 to 60 percent better fruit yield. The fruit itself also tends to be larger on these plants. These healthier plants also require less pesticide use and are why they are the choice for many organic gardeners. There are some cultural practices to follow to ensure success though. First, and most important, don't plant them deeper than what they are when you buy them. You don't want to bury the graft, which you'll easily see. This nullifies all of the advantages listed above. Unlike regular tomatoes, where you bury them as deep as you can, you don't want to do that with these. Also, it's important to pinch off suckers, just like you do with regular indeter- MICHAEL TIMM minate tomatoes, which grow between the trunk and the regular branches. This greatly increases productivity and plant vigor. Lastly, keep them evenly moist throughout the growing season. They are tolerant to drought, but they're not supernatural; they still need water. If you've ever had problems growing tomatoes, and you're ready to give up, don't. Even if you've had disease problems in the past, give these a try. You'll be surprised at the results. Everybody deserves the taste of fresh tomatoes straight from the garden, and now you can. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is the head horticulturist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia. He can be reached at mtimm@ebertsgreenhouse.com.) 231708002 FULL SERVICE LAWN CARE • Spring Clean-Up • Fertilization • Lawn Reseeding Free Estimates Competitive Pricing 262-337-2600 Cabinetry for Every Room, Every Budget! SAVE BIG! CLEARANCE SALE Selected displays on sale! Great for Basements & Rec Rooms! All in-stock cabinets on sale! Get this green and gold display for only $1,795, includes the granite top and sink!! We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment Kitchens | Baths | Dens | Cabins | Offices | Rec Rooms Work With Experienced Design Professionals 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 231818006 www.kitchencreators.com