10-Minute University™ is the trademark of short classes on essential gardening information. All presentations are free and each is accompanied by a handout. Oregon State University owns the trademark and Clackamas County Master Gardeners develop and manage the program.

This class is the second of a series, each perfectly timed for what you need to know. The first session (February 21) focused on how to choose among thousands of varieties and how to start them from seeds.

This session will cover:

• How to care for seedlings
• How to ‘pot up’ seedlings (a secret of tomato masters)
• How to choose a good tomato start at the nursery
• Which tomatoes are recommended for cool vs hot climates
• When to plant the tomato start in the garden
• Balcony or backyard: What techniques are good for growing success
• What structures can protect the plant and extend the growing season
• How to support a large tomato plant
• What are good “companion” plants and plants to avoid near your tomatoes
• Why it is important to rotate your crops, especially tomatoes

Class speaker Amelia Wilbur is an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener. She teaches for the award-winning 10-Minute University™ Program. She and her husband previously co-owned a tomato grafting business. They grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruiting plants on their 3.5-acre home garden and annually harvest more than 500 pounds of tomatoes.

Growing Tomatoes, Part III will take place on Monday, April 15. That class will cover planting out into the garden or container, supporting plants of various sizes, cultural practices (watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.), and disease management.

This online seminar is free with advanced registration. Even if you cannot attend live, register anyway. A recording link will be sent 2 days after the class.  Register here