It may be hard to believe, but Americans once shunned tomatoes because they thought they were poisonous because they are in the nightshade family (along with potatoes, eggplant and peppers).

Tomatoes are native to South America where they have been grown since prehistoric times. Spanish explorers brought the plant from Mexico to southern Europe in the mid 1500s.

There are two broad categories of tomatoes, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate means the size of the plant grows to a determined height depending on the variety, in the 2 to 4 foot range. Once they grow to a certain height, they flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. Because of their compact habit they are perfect for growing in containers.

Growing tomatoes in containers is the perfect solution for people with limited space. Choose a container that has drainage holes and is about 20" in diameter and at least 18" deep. Choose a good, sterile potting soil that is lightweight and well draining.

Indeterminate types, on the other hand, keep growing and growing, often 8 feet or more. As you can imagine, these require more room to grow and they need to be staked. The plus side of growing indeterminate type tomatoes is that they produce fruit throughout the entire season. You can also find dwarf indeterminate varieties that produce the same amount of fruit, but as the name implies, are smaller in stature.

In our zone 5, it's safe to plant tomatoes when you hear on the farm report that the soil temperature and nighttime air temperature has warmed to 55 degrees. Tomatoes need full sun to thrive, at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. The soil should be medium-rich, loose and well drained.

How far apart you space the plants depends on the type of tomato you've selected. Dwarf varieties should be spaced about 12 inches apart in a row. If you plan to stake your plants, space them about 24 inches apart. Set sprawling, indeterminate tomatoes about 36 to 48 inches apart.

A commercially-raised tomato I just bought recommended planting 80% of the plant below soil level! This will help strengthen the root system and a better root system means healthier plants. Remove any leaves below the soil line.

It is important to support your tomatoes as they grow. A simple wooden stake or bamboo pole will work. Use twine, old hose, or some other soft material to tie the vine to the support. Tomato cages are also useful, especially for determinate and dwarf varieties. For the larger indeterminate types construct a cage out of concrete reinforcing wire. A 5 foot wide piece will usually do the trick. Simply bend it into a circle and hook the tines together where the ends meet. You want it to be about 16 inches in diameter. If my rudimentary geometry serves me right, that means you'll need about 4 running feet. As a final measure, clip nylon netting to the cages to keep pests at bay.

Once you have planted your tomatoes, keep them well watered until the roots are established. If it is hot and dry you may need to water every day. After the first few weeks, deep soak them every 4 to 7 days. When you water, take care to not splash soil onto the leaves and stem, as this promotes disease. And don't skimp on the mulch. A good layer of mulch, 2 to 3 inches, will help keep the soil consistently moist, cutting down on blossom end rot, as well as prevent weeds from taking over. Keep the mulch away from the stem of the plant.

A well-fed tomato plant will provide you with a high yield. Tomatoes respond best to frequent, light feedings. Timed-release fertilizer will do this automatically for you.

Plant tomatoes and members of the same family such as potatoes, peppers and eggplant in a different spot each year to discourage diseases and pests.

Potential problems and their solutions:

To discourage cutworms from taking out young transplants, cut the top and bottom from a milk carton, slit it and push it into the soil around the seedling.

Blossom end rot appears as a pale, brown spot and then turns black and flattens the bottom of the fruit. Causes: lack of calcium or inconsistent moisture. Water your plants on a regular basis and mulch to retain moisture. Spray the fruits with liquid calcium, available at garden centers.

POOR FRUIT SET can be due to multiple causes: Temperatures below 55 or above 90 degrees for extended periods, inadequate water (mulching helps retain moisture), inadequate sun (at least 6 hours/day needed), excessive nitrogen (correct with superphosphate or 0-10-10 fertilizer).

FAT GREEN WORMS with white diagonal stripes eating the fruit and foliage are hornworms. Hand-pick the worms or treat plant with Sevin. But if the worms are covered with white sacs resembling puffed rice, leave them alone. These sacs are the cocoons of "good guys" parasitic wasps that feed on and eventually destroy the hornworm.

IDEA GARDEN - With all the recent rain, the Idea Garden west of SBLHC is looking glorious. Of special note is the adorable new Children's Garden. It's worth a trip with the youngsters to see the miniature town which has sprouted.

GARDENING CLASSES FOR KIDS - All classes from 9:00 – Noon

Ages: 8 – 11 Cost: $10.50 To Register: Phone: 234-5434

On line: www.lakelandcollege.edu/summerkidscollege

Trees—Mother Nature's Giants

Tuesday, June 24, Lake Land College Fieldhouse

The Giant Sequoia is the largest living organism on Earth. Learn how you can measure the height of trees in your own yard. Learn how to identify trees by their leaves or bark and how to make a plant press.

Trees-Our Green Friends

Thursday, June 26, 4-H Extension Center on Coles County Fairgrounds

Find out how we benefit from our green friends and how we should care for them. Discover the money tree.

Coles County 4-Hers are co-hosting an Electronics Recycling Collection Day on June 21 from 9 am – 1 pm at 777 Windsor Rd (off 316 just NW of the fairgrounds). Items you can bring include radios, stereos, VCRs, cell phones, computers, TVs, microwaves, DVD players, and other electronic devices. There are disposal fees for computer monitors, microwaves and TVs (a sliding fee based on size). This is a chance to get rid of your electronic clutter while saving space our landfill. Call 345-3901, ext. 4 for more information.

News Flash! An unusual blessed event is about to occur in the EIU greenhouse! Follow this link to find out what it is: http://www.eiu.edu/~biology/news/titan_arum.htm#Photography

Fun field trip for adults to the Missouri Botanical Gardens Thursday, June 26 sponsored by EIU's Academy for Lifetime Learning. For details call 581-5114 before June 18.

If you have any horticulture questions, call the U of I Extension office 345-7034. Volunteer

Master Gardeners are in the office on: Monday—2 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday—9-11 a.m.

This column is based on information and materials at the University of Illinois Extension office, located at 707 Windsor Road, Suite A., Charleston, 61920; phone 345-7034; or web site: www.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/