Bring on the Heat!

It is no secret that this year’s weather has shown uncharacteristically high temperatures. The good news for gardeners is that it means a longer planting season! Without the threat of frost, tomatoes can thrive in this weather – making now the ideal time to get started on your edible garden.

While it may be closer to the end of seed harvesting time, Mighty‘Mato tomato plants have already been started. They come in a specially designed container, ready to be transplanted into your home garden or a pot.

Aside from current optimal weather for tomato-planting, Mighty ‘Mato tomato plants have a greater tolerance to stresses of extreme temperature or poor soil. This resistance creates a much larger harvest window for Mighty ‘Mato plants, so the yield over the season is abundant – they produce three to four times the number of tomatoes.

The current weather trend has presented an incredible opportunity for gardens across America; more time to plant tomatoes means better harvests and fresher meals.

There couldn’t be a better time to plant your Mighty ‘Mato tomato plants. You’ll have plenty of delicious tomatoes by summer to add to your favorite dishes. Check out our recipes for some ideas on how to incorporate Mighty ‘Matos into your home cooking!

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12 Tips on Growing Better Tomato Plants

So you purchased your Mighty 'Mato plants. You've scoped out the perfect, sunny area to plant them in, purchased some organic fertilizer and found some nutrient-rich soil. Now what? While Mighty 'Mato plants' grafted properties help make the plants easier to grow, there are some best practices to ensure the highest yield of tomatoes per plant. Here are 12 tips to keep your Mighty 'Mato tomato plants healthy and happy:

1. Preheat Your Soil. Tomato plants thrive in warm environments. 2 weeks before planting, cover the area in which you wish to plant with black or red plastic. 
2. Plant Your Tomato Plant on their Sides. Tomatoes are able to develop roots all along their stem, and will naturally start to grow upwards towards the sunlight. 
3. Plant Below the Graft Line. Your Mighty 'Mato plant will have a noticeable graft line. Be sure to plant below the line in order for your plants to grow and thrive.
4. Avoid Laying Down Mulch. While mulch can be beneficial to many plants, it can also cool the soil. Avoid putting mulch near growing tomatoes to keep the soil warm.
5. Remove the Lower Leaves of Your Tomato Plants. When your tomato plants are about 3 feet tall, remove the lower leaves since these can be the first to develop fugus issues. Once these leaves are removed, your tomato plants can put more energy into growing stronger.
6. Water Often Yet Properly. Make sure to water only the base of the plant and not the leaves. This way, you can avoid airborne spores that can attach to wet plants and cause infections.
7. Pinch Out and Prune Suckers. The suckers that grow between two points should be pinched out or pruned. They won't bear or grow any fruit and will take up energy that can be used by the rest of the plant.
8. Create a Cutworm Barrier. Cutworms are a common pest involved with growing tomatoes. Place a ring of cardboard (you can even use an empty toilet tissue paper toll) around the new plant to prevent cutworms from chewing on the leaves and stems.
9. Cage Your Tomato Plants. With the proper care, Mighty 'Mato plants will grow tremendously.  Be sure to place a large cage around young tomato plants–the larger, the better!
10. Use a Good Organic Fertilizer. Be sure to use a good organic vegetable fertilizer every 3-4 weeks, such as E.B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food.
11. Send Snails Packing. Do you have a problem with snails snacking on your tomato plants? Lay 100% organic coffee grounds or egg shells on the soil. This will prevent snails from getting to your plants.
12. Get the Most Out of Your Tomatoes. Tomatoes are so versatile. You can use them for breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks–even desserts! Follow our Pinterest boards for recipes, how-tos and gardening tips.

Do you have any more tips? Comment below so we can share them with our tomato-loving community! Also, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips and tricks!

Saturday Morning Tomato Progress

I've checked out my Mighty 'Mato plants this morning, and I can almost see them grow.  With the weather getting warmer and more sunshine (although it's overcast again this morning) in San Diego, CA, both plants seem to be thriving.

I have two plants (got a combo pack but gave one plant to a friend).  One I planted in the ground in a good sunny location, the other I put in a very large pot on the deck in another sunny location.  I probably focused on the soil more with the one in the pot, since I had to start from the beginning there.  Then to my dismay this morning, I discovered I wasn't being fair because I had put a large cage with 4 tiers around the potted plant, and only a 3 tier cage around the one in the ground.  Fortunately, they're still young enough I could change that, so I did.  Now I can be more unbiased about the size, and the one in the ground is definitely still larger. These plants like room to grow.


From all I know of 'Mighty Mato plants, the larger cages are important, because they grow so large.  I'm hoping now that my 4-tier cages will be enough, because the plants are growing like crazy.  On the "grounded" one, I had picked off some early blooms, but now I'm seeing some in the "potted" plant.  I think I'll leave those, as the plant seems to be strong and growing well.

In Southern California we're having a late spring, so everything is a bit behind where it would normally be for May 12.  But these mighty little guys are surpassing the rest of the garden!

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Mom Deserves the Best!

Few things make me happier than seeing my mom walk out from her garden with a bowl-full of cherry tomatoes and a smile from ear to ear. Holding a delightful red one proudly for all to see, she’ll talk about each tomato as if it has a special place in her heart. I’ll attest to the fact that her tomato garden is successful because she gives the plants ‘love’ to grow on, which is exactly how she raised me.

When Mother’s Day rolls around, I cannot wait to show this wonderful woman how lucky I feel to have been hers. In terms of gifts, I always choose a plant because she loves to garden. She loves to water, pick, prune and showcase my ‘gifts.’

For the past few years, I’ve given her tomato plants. Mother’s Day is the perfect time of year to plant small tomato plants in the ground and watch them evolve into a beautiful full grown tomato plant.

My mom loves tomatoes in her salads and entrees – part of what makes her home cooking so delicious! No matter how many times she’s used the tomatoes that come from the plants I have given her, she never fails to mention that they are from her ‘favorite’ Mother’s Day gift.

Mighty ‘Mato tomato plants are easy to order, plant and care for, which makes them the perfect gift. Even when I’m on the opposite side of the state, I can have them sent straight to my mom. Now is the perfect time to order, they’ll get to her just in time. Place your order now by following this link.

Mighty ‘Mato tomato plants start small so a mother can do what she does best, nurture and help them grow. Your mom will love her Mother’s Day gift and be proud as she watches the little plant grow from the ground… up. 

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What Are Grafted Tomato Plants?

You may have heard the term "grafted plants" once or twice. But what exactly does that mean, and why is it so special? Recently, I went to the Mighty 'Mato growing grounds and was able to see the grafting process first hand. Essentially, grafting works by fusing the stems of two plants together. A superior rootstock is picked for its ability to resist infection and its unique ability to increase vigor and fruit yield. The upper part of the plant is selected for its variety and quality characteristics. The scion (fuse) is held together by a special clip that will slip off as the plant grows.

Using a special blade, the two plants are carefully sliced and placed together with the clip. The fused plants then sit in a greenhouse until they're matured enough for your garden. Once planted, the grafted plants will grow larger, juicier fruit with more yield per plant, truly making it a Mighty 'Mato plant!

When you receive your Mighty 'Mato plants, the grafting clip may still be on the plants. If so, carefully remove the clip or let it slip off naturally as the plant grows. Here are some more quick tips to get you started:

• Use a good organic fertilizer
• Be sure to plant below the graft (or fuse) line
• Trim away any initial flowers so plant can put all its energy into growing strong and producing better fruit
• Use a large tomato cage-These plants will get BIG!

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