A Short History of Tomatoes (And How to Grow Them)

Because they are members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), most Europeans and Americans thought for hundreds of years that tomatoes were poisonous. Native to the Andes mountains and cultivated by the Aztecs, tomatoes were introduced to the Old World by the conquistadors, who brought tomato seeds with them when they returned to Europe.

Each country in Europe seemed to have its own name for the tomato. In France, it was known as pomme d'amour, or apple of love. In Germany, it was called Wolfpfirsich ("wolf peach") because witches were thought to summon werewolves with nightshade, a plant associated with tomatoes. The Italians named it pomo dei Mori, or "Moors' apple." Then they changed it to pomi d'oro, or "apple of gold" (the varieties commonly grown in Italy at the time were yellow).

Because most people thought tomatoes were poisonous, tomato plants were grown primarily as ornamentals. However, that all changed on September 26, 1820 when in Salem, New Jersey, Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson stood on the steps of the courthouse and publicly consumed an entire basket of tomatoes. Because he survived this daring feat, everyone was finally convinced that tomatoes were not poisonous, after all. 

Tomatoes are very easy to grow. They exist in almost every color, and they can be a variety of sizes. A standard-sized tomato plant needs a three-gallon pot to accommodate its extensive root system. Dwarf varieties can be grown in much smaller pots. 

When choosing a variety of tomato to grow, consider whether it is determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomato plants are annuals; they grow to a certain height, produce fruit within a limited time span, and die. Most dwarf varieties are determinate. Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing and flowering until they are killed by frost. Both types can be grown in containers, but indeterminate tomatoes need to be pruned. 

Right now, I am growing a variety called "Micro Tom," which was developed in the 1990s by the University of Florida. It is the smallest tomato plant in the world, growing no taller than eight inches. Other compact varieties include "Tiny Tim" and "Lizzano," which is an All-America Selections winner. Micro Tom and Tiny Tim are both open-pollinated and determinate, and Lizzano is a hybrid and semi-determinate.

Here's how to grow them:

1. Plant one seed in each pot 1/4" deep in potting soil.   
2. Water carefully; if you water too much, the seeds may rot. If you don't water enough, the seeds will dry out and die. Water only when the surface of the soil has begun to dry-- I recommend using a spray bottle. 
3. After they have sprouted (usually within 4-10 days), keep them by a sunny window. 
4. If you're growing an indeterminate variety, you may need a stake or a cage such as this one to support it. To prune an indeterminate tomato plant, cut off the suckers that grow between the main branches and the stem. This will encourage fruit production. 

Tomato plants love heat, and they need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. They also require frequent watering. Since tomato plants are heavy feeders, they benefit from regular fertilization; a complete fertilizer administered every other week is best.