| I would suggest growing an indeterminate variety (grows into a big plant and bears until frost) with good disease resistance (look for letters VFNT on the label or seed packet.) Tomatoes grow best in a location that is sunny all day long. You will need to prepare the soil by removing existing grass/weeds either by digging them out or with an herbicide containing glyphosate. Read and carefully follow the directions on the label. Before you plant, prepare the soil. Loosen it down about ten inches deep. Work in some organic matter such as compost. Plant the tomatoes about three feet apart. Plan on staking or caging each plant. Install this at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later in the season. Mulch over the root area with half finished compost, straw, or other organic material. Water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist like a wrung out sponge. To fertilize, I would suggest a general purpose granular fertilizer or a slow release granular fertilizer with an analysis of 10-10-10 or similar. Read and follow the label directions. Enjoy those tomatoes! Flowers would be planted and cared for basically the same way. Some easy sun loving annuals include petunia, marigold, salvia. Annuals must be replanted each spring. Easy, long lived and sun loving perennials include purple coneflower, daylily, black eyed Susan, and sedum. |
