- 1). Purchase seedlings from garden centers or farmers' markets. Choose Bradley tomato plants that are bushy and deep, dark green in color. Avoid plants with spots or leaf damage. The ideal tomato transplant should be about as wide as it is tall. Tall, spindly plants will not produce the desired results. Two or three tomato plants will produce about all the fresh tomatoes a family of four can consume. Plant extra if you plan to preserve, freeze or can tomatoes.
- 2). Plant after all danger of frost has passed. Bradley tomatoes are very susceptible to frost damage, so be sure to protect them if there is any possibility of frost. Cover the plants with an upside-down 5-gallon bucket or inverted cardboard box if there is a chance of a freeze. Bradley tomatoes mature in 75 days and are best suited to southern regions. In northern climates they can be started indoors or in a greenhouse setting. Bradley tomatoes grow best in United States hardiness zones 6 to 9.
- 3). Plant the seedlings deeply in the soil, burying the bottom two or three leaves. New growth will sprout from the buried stems and help establish a vigorous root system.
- 4). Plant in a sunny location. Tomatoes do best if they receive six to seven hours of sunshine daily. Full sunlight is required for the plant to mature and fully develop solid fruits with optimum flavor.
- 5). Add organic compost to the soil. Sprinkle around the base of the plant and gently work in to the soil. Use only organic products on your tomatoes. Avoid pesticides and other toxic chemicals as tomatoes absorb all the chemicals and nutrients they are fed.
- 6). Protect your Bradley tomato plants from heavy, damaging rains and wind. If a thunderstorm is expected, cover with a inverted pail or cardboard box. Always water at the base of the plant. Avoid splashing water on the leaves.
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