Do you know about the Tennessee State Fruit? Keep on reading to find all the information and how to grow it!
If you don’t know about the Tennessee State Fruit and how to grow it, then we are here to help you!
How can you grow tomatoes from tomato slices? Find here
Tennessee State Fruit
- In 2003, Tomato was designated as the official Tennessee State Fruit.
- Arkansas and Ohio recognize this fruit as their state symbol, too.
- Although Tomato is considered a vegetable but botanically, it is a fruit.
- Tennesseans take pride in their tomatoes and express their respect for the fruit each year during the growing season from June-October.
- The tomatoes from the Tennessee heirloom are juicy, meaty, and delicious. Each fruit weighs around 1.5-2 pounds.
Check out the top technique to grow the sweetest tomatoes here
How to Grow Tennessee State Fruit
1. Where to Grow?
Tennessee State Fruit loves to be in plenty of sunlight, so pick a spot with a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sun daily. Avoid growing it in the shade.
2. Best Soil
Tomatoes grow best in loamy and well-draining soil. Amend the growing medium with plenty of organic matter and compost. The Tennessee State Fruit loves high phosphorus & potassium content and a soil pH between 6 to 6.8.
3. Watering
It is best to water the plant at the bottom while avoiding spilling the water on the foliage. Water only when the topsoil feels a little dry to the touch. Also, watering Tennessee State Fruit daily is not advised.
4. Fertilizer
To increase the size and yield of the Tennessee State Fruit, feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer once in 3-4 weeks. Dilute it to 1/2 of its strength.
Alternatively, banana peel tea, compost tea, and Epsom salt can be a good choice, too.
5. How to Prune?
Prune side stems to ensure all parts of the plant get equal sunlight exposure. Remove all the decaying, old, damaged, and diseased parts of the plant from time to time.
6. Pests and Disease
Leafminers, spider mites, tomato hornworms, bugs, flea beetles, and aphids can pose a problem. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap solution to get rid of them.
To keep potential diseases at bay, avoid overwatering the plant. Also, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight and proper air circulation.
