The hot climate makes it possible to plant tomatoes outside in containers or in the ground as early as the end of March. transplanting seedlings with potting soil in containers or raised beds. The sandy soil of the Southeast can be difficult to work with, she says. In addition, the native soil in this area is rife with root knot nema-todes. These microscopic round worms can infect plants, leaving them stunted with yellow leaves, flower droppings and wilted, poor growth. Amelia, Celebrity and Better Boy tomatoes are nematode resistant. Take care of these details and let nature do the rest. Sun, soil and rainwater will produce the fruit that epitomizes the flavor of summer. Left: Tomato seedlings in the early stages of growth. Above: A variety of organic tomato seeds can be found at Progressive Gardens. 17 just don’t get enough light to grow strong plants.” To supplement the natural light that many homes lack, lights can help establish an indoor growing area. Olsen says that fluorescent bulbs are the most commonly used for home growing, and T5 bulbs, which are five-eighths inches in diameter, are most efficient for plant growth. A set of T5 tubes are easy to use, plug into a regular outlet, cost about $34 and will support as many as 72 seedlings. When using fluorescent lights, allow six inches between the bulbs and the tops of the sprouts. Once the seedlings have reached two inches in height, they can be transferred into larger pots and allowed to bask under the grow lights until the last threat of late winter frost has passed. While growing from seed does take a bit of patience, it allows the home gardener to try dozens of varieties that are not regularly avail-able in garden centers. For the beginning tomato grower, Glen says cherry varieties are the easiest. The smaller fruits mean they’ll mature enough for a good crop before the summer heat and humidity set in. Large varieties that thrive in North Carolina’s heat are Amelia and Primo Red. Both are resistant to Southern climate diseases like tomato spotted wilt virus, which Glen says is the most serious regional tomato plant disease. Glen rec-ommends www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
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