Frugal Gardening - Get A Bigger, Earlier and Sweeter Bumper Crop of Tomatos

First lay down strips of aluminum foil with the shiney side up between your rows of plants and weigh them down (rocks work well) along the edges to reflect sunlight up under the plants and aid in ripening from the bottom to top. This will also discourage birds and pests from destroying your plants and give an inceased amount of sunshine on overcast days.

Note: The above works well with any vine type, fruit producing plant.

Second when tomatos begin to appear and are about 1 inch in diameter lightly sprinkle baking soda around each plant to make them sweeter. Repeat this process again when tomatoes are about half grown.

If your plants become weighed down pick the larger, green ones and place them in a brown paper grocery or lunch bag and store at room temperature to finish ripening.

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