Tomato plants will have 'strong roots' if you do this 1 thing

Tomatoes are one of the nation's favourite crops to grow for various reasons. The first being the incredible difference you get from homegrown tomatoes and store-bought ones. Homegrown tomatoes offer a superior taste that just can't be beaten by the ones you buy at the store. This is because you can pick them at their peak allowing you to enjoy the fresh flavour and ripeness immediately.

The plants are also easy-to-grow ones making it a great option for beginners. Fortunately for those considering to grow their own tomatoes, a gardening expert has revealed one thing that gardeners must do when planting the crop to ensure it has strong roots and grows well.

Lisa Howard, founder of Midwest Garden Gal blog, advised gardeners to plant their tomato plants deep.

She wrote: "This is a hard one to grasp at first (as it is unique to tomato plants), but for the best results, it's a must to plant your tomatoes very deep. Far deeper than they are planted in the pot from the nursery.

"You should plant your tomato plants so that the stem is buried and only the top few leaves are above the soil. Planted this way, your tomato will develop strong roots all along the stem."

Strong roots are crucial for tomato plants as they act as an anchor that provides stability and plays a vital role in nutrient and water absorption.

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the main nutrients that tomatoes need to thrive, while calcium and magnesium also contribute to healthy growth, flowering and fruit production.

Tomato plants are also heavy feeders meaning they need a significant amount of these nutrients to grow and produce good crop. Therefore, strong roots couldn't be more important.

Another thing Lisa shared is that once the tomatoes have been planted deep, it is crucial that the plants are also watered deeply and regularly.

She explained: "Irregular watering can lead to blossom end rot, a calcium deficiency, along with cracking and splitting. Ideally, tomatoes should recieve one inch of water per week, provided by watering at soil level if not provided by natural rain."