How do I Grow Tomatoes in the Caribbean?

Select a tomato that will thrive in the heat of the Caribbean. There are two basic types of tomato plants: hybrids and heirlooms. For Caribbean climate the heirlooms are most ideal.

Place the seeds or seedlings into 8-gallon clay flower pots filled with high quality potting soil and place in a sunny area that also gets some shade. It wouldn't be difficult to find a sunny area because the Caribbean has a tropical climate and mostly has warm, sunny weather.

Water the plants as soon as they are in the soil. You can move the plants into a mostly sunny area once they are 5 to 6 inches high. Water the growing seedlings daily or at the very least, every other day.

Measure the plants at about three weeks. Once they are 10 inches tall move them to the garden or a planter box large enough to hold the tomato vines.

Find a spot in your garden to make a bed or put your large planters where the plants will get full morning sun. Before transplanting them, dig a hole deep enough for the roots to sprawl in either the bed or planter boxes.

Lay the seedlings in the holes and surround with good quality potting soil. Remove any leaves that might touch the ground to help the roots get more sunlight and water. Leave 2 to 3 feet between each plant.

Water the plants every other day, using a fine mist from a watering can or a garden hose. Do not use a hard spray or it will kill the newly budding tomatoes.

Measure the plants weekly. When they are about 2 feet tall, use a soft cloth such as an old tee-shirt or ripped knee highs to bind them to stakes. Use 5- to 7-feet-long wooden 1-by-2s, old broom handles or bamboo and dig them next to the tomatoes about 6 inches deep.

Be careful not to cut through roots or stalks when placing the stakes in the ground. Tie them securely on places where there is no tomato growth.

Fertilize your tomato plants every two to three weeks. You should be able to harvest tomatoes in about three months.