- 1). Clear grass and weeds from a site that gets full sun for at least eight hours a day, with adequate drainage. Biointensive tomatoes will grow in a rich, supportive foundation, but still require full sunshine and air circulation for growth, blooming and fruiting.
- 2). Mix quick-draining soil and organic compost in equal parts, then pile at least 24 inches of this mixture on top of your garden soil to create a raised bed. Dig the mixture into the top 12 inches of natural soil to create a loose, highly fertile bed that is 24 inches deep. This "double digging" encourages drainage, nutrition and healthy root development.
- 3). Plant tomato seedlings at 12 to 24 inches, in rows at the same distance. Although this is close planting by normal tomato standards, biointensive growing utilizes close spacing to promote space efficiency, maximize yields, protect soil micro-organisms and conserve water.
- 4). Plant companion plants like basil, oregano, thyme and rue around the edges of the tomato patch to naturally repel tomato pests like worms, slugs and aphids. Release beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewing moths in the patch to further prevent pests.
- 5). Water the biointensive tomato garden with 2 inches of water a week, and stake the tomato plants with stakes or veggie cages when they get tall enough. Tomatoes require the light, support and air circulation of elevated growing. Add compost to the garden once a month to maintain good soil nutrition.
- 6). Alternate tomato crops with compost crops like fodder radishes, mustard, crownvetch, peas, alfalfa and barley to replenish the natural vitamins and minerals in the soil and allow it to rest between demanding tomato crops. These rest and composting periods boost the nutrition of the soil, and produce quicker, more nutritious tomato plants.
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