A: (Ask DIY gardening expert Joe Lamp'l) Cutworms can do some serious damage to a lot of different plants in the vegetable garden, but for some reason they really seem to love to pick on tomato plants. They strike usually early in the season when the seedlings or transplants are trying to gain strength, but they will also feed off the leaves of mature plants as well. Here's a good way to recognize cutworm damage: the plants look like they've been 'cut down.' To help discourage these pests, try placing newspaper, toilet-paper rolls or foam cups around the base of the plants.Q: I have a large patio that gets quite a bit of sun. I want to take advantage of this by doing some container gardening. What types of tomatoes can be grown in containers?
A: Growing tomatoes in pots is a great way to take advantage of a sunny area. Although dwarf tomatoes work best, you can really grow almost any tomato variety in a pot -- you just need to make sure the pot is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system, and you need to water often.
Q: I plan to put tomatoes in my garden. I know I'll need to stake them as they get a little taller. What is the best way to do this?
A: Staking tomatoes is very important. If the plant breaks, or if the weight of the fruit drags it to the ground, you won't have a good harvest and you'll experience some rot on the fruit your plant does bear. Staking is easy, but you have to use the right material, such as strips of soft cloth or pantyhose. Don't use twine or wire – it will cut through the plant
Money-Saver Tip: If you are trying to grow stronger and healthier tomato transplants without expensive chemicals, try dissolving one tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water and spraying it onto tomatoes transplants. They'll be greener and more productive.
