About Homestead 24 Tomato Plants
Fruits of Homestead 24 tomato plants are firm textured, about 6-8 oz. (170 to 230 g.), and dark red with a globe shape. Typically, they mature in 70-80 days. Homestead 24 is an excellent tomato for growing in southern coastal areas, as they perform well in high heat and humidity. The heirloom plant is open pollinated, resistant to cracks and fusarium wilt. Those who grow this tomato plant regularly say it performs as a semi-determinate specimen, providing firm fruits following the main harvest and not dying back quickly as most determinate tomatoes do. Homestead 24 tomato plants reach about 5-6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m.). Foliage is dense, useful to shade the fruits. It is an appropriate tomato to grow in a container.
How to Grow Homestead 24
Start from seeds indoors a few weeks before the danger of frost is passed. Some information on growing tomatoes recommends starting seeds indoors instead of direct seeding into the garden. If you’re accustomed to starting seed outside successfully, by all means, continue to do so. Starting seeds indoors provides an earlier harvest and more fruit for those with short growing seasons. If direct seeding outside, choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. Homestead 24 produces in 90 F. (32 C.) heat, so no need for afternoon shade. Keep seeds moist as they sprout, but not soggy, as seedlings will damp off. If growing seedlings indoors, keep them in a warm area, mist daily, and provide airflow for a few minutes each day. Growing Homestead 24 tomatoes from small plants is another means to a speedy harvest. Check with local nurseries and garden centers to see if they carry this tomato plant. Many gardeners like this variety so well they save seeds from their Homestead 24 tomatoes to plant the following year.
Homestead 24 Plant Care
Care of Homestead 24 tomato is simple. Provide it a spot in the sun in loamy soil with a pH of 5.0 – 6.0. Water consistently and provide a side dressing of compost when fruits begin to develop. You’ll find the growth vigorous. Homestead 24 plant care may include staking the plant if needed and, of course, the harvest of these tempting tomatoes. Plan for an abundant harvest, mainly when growing more than one Homestead 24 tomato plant. Prune side shoots as needed, especially when they begin to die back. You’ll possibly get tomatoes from this vine up until the first frost.
