PLANTING: Acclimate plants grown under cover to outdoor conditions by moving them outside for longer periods of time each day for two weeks in late spring. Transplant in early summer, once the risk of frost has passed, or in an unheated greenhouse in late spring. Vine tomatoes thrive in full sun when planted in fertile soil, grow bags or containers at least 9 in (23 cm) in diameter. Space them about 18 in (45 cm) apart and plant them deeply with their lowest leaves just below soil level. Add sturdy supports, such as canes or metal spirals, at least 5 feet tall for each plant and tie the stem loosely with garden twine.
WATER AND FEED: Outdoor tomatoes only need to be watered in very dry weather before flowering, and drenched weekly if conditions remain dry thereafter. In fertile soil they need little food, but benefit from a weekly feeding with liquid tomato fertilizer when the fruit clusters are forming.
Pick the fruit as soon as it ripens, breaking off its short stems where they join the vine. Tomatoes are damaged by cold weather, so be sure to harvest outdoor crops before the first frost and never store picked tomatoes in the refrigerator. Unripe fruit can be cut from the vine plant and brought indoors to ripen. Green tomatoes can also be made into chutney.
