How to Grow Beautiful Tomatoes

Here's a dilemma so many gardeners are facing lately!

Growing tomatoes is great, nothing beats the taste of a vine-ripened tomato. No store-bought tomato can quite measure up to that.

Tomatoes can be grown in the smallest of spaces and can yield a bountiful crop. All they need is good soil, water, and lots of sunshine - at least 6 to 8 hours of sun to bring out their best flavors. You will also need to stake the plants or make use of trellis, or a cage to keep them off the ground. It is a great idea to first decide on a support plan before you plant, then add that support directly after planting. Tomato
plants like room to grow.

Here are some common mistakes tomato growers make

Read on for general tips on growing great tomatoes

    - compliments from our friends at Miracle Grow

• Plant tomatoes in spring for a summer harvest. They take about 6 weeks before you can harvest.
• Grow tomatoes in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun.
• Improve soil nutrition and drainage by adding Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All-Purpose In-Ground Soil (in-ground), Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All-Purpose Container Mix (containers), or Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix (raised beds).
• Plant deeply by burying 2/3 of the stem.
• Support tomatoes by giving them a stake or cage to climb as they grow.
• Keep soil moist by watering when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
• Lay down 3 inches of mulch to help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.
• Begin feeding tomato plants regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules one month after planting.
• Harvest when fruit reaches the color shown on the plant tag.

Although growing tomatoes is not what we do, Shamrock Landscape can assist you with all your mowing needs. Each crew has an English speaking member to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstandings. We pride ourselves in offering reliable weekly or bi-weekly services to keep your lawn areas looking their best. Our service area is primarily Benicia, Vallejo, and American Canyon so we can focus on giving our customers the best service possible. When you call us you get me - Mike - the owner.  Don't delay, call us today at (707) 6947-2000 for a quote in a Covid-safety way.

How to Create a Year-Long Plan For Lawn Care

Looking for a year-long, easy to follow lawn care plan? A lawn care plan that keeps their lawn healthy over weeks, months, and years. Here are your key pointers for a healthy lawn:

In the Spring

Start mowing your grass as soon as it starts growing. Now is a good time to set the mower blades just a little bit lower than the recommended height and bag the clippings. This will minimize the chance of a winter-related fungal disease.  

Seed (or overseed) any bare spots created by drought, wildlife or pets. Cover with soil or paper shreddings and keep moist to achieve rapid germination and thick, healthy growth during the lawn’s active springtime growth period.

In the Summer

Let the weather be your guide to determine the frequency at which you water the lawn. A good rule of thumb is to water 1 – 1 ¼ inch of water per week for the lawn to remain green and vibrant during the summer months. 

Mid-July to mid-August, when the summer sun is at its hottest, it is recommended that you keep your grass mowed to a length that’s 1 – 1 ½ inch higher than normal. This will promote deeper root growth and slow water evaporation. It will also provide shade for the grassroots.

Fertilize the lawn every 4 – 8 weeks. The final fertilization to occur at least 6 – 8 weeks before the first frost arrives.

In the Fall

Consider seeding/overseeding once more. Fall is the ideal time for seeding/overseeding. This will repair, strengthen, and thicken the lawn in anticipation of winter.

Now that tree leaves are beginning to fall keep up on your leaf-raking duties so the grass blades can benefit from the sun and air they need to thrive.

Now is the time to aerate and detach your lawn. This accelerates recovery and rejuvenation.

If broadleaf weeds are present, treat them with safe, post-emergent herbicides in order to incapacitate them over the winter.

In the Winter

Winter is a great time for tool maintenance such as sharpening and cleaning the lawnmower and gardening tools. Give your mower an oil change too and retire it for the winter without gas in the tank. A gardener is only as good as his tools. Sharpened blades lessen the risk of grass damage and disease.

It is always a good idea to make a periodic sweep of your lawn during the winter month and remove any fallen leaves, twigs, and debris, etc. so it’s in good shape should spring arrive early.
Do minimize lawn traffic, since repetitive walking over the same spot can weaken even the strongest grass. For those of you that live in snow country, it helps to keep your driveway, walkways, and sidewalks clear of snow so these paths are always preferable to cutting across the lawn.

In Closing

A beautiful lush lawn is a source of pride and happiness for the entire family, and joy to behold. It will draw your family members outdoors to play and enjoy. Especially now during the Covid-19 shut-downs, a healthy lawn can be instrumental in maintaining one's sanity.