Knowing a few key tricks in growing tomatoes from seed will mean the difference between having ordinary tomatoes and tomatoes that knock your socks off. The question is, how? Grow tomatoes of certain types and under certain conditions to result in the best tomatoes you've ever had.

Trick #1: Select the Right Seeds

Commercial tomatoes have been bred to have certain characteristics that make them easy to sell. The average consumer in the grocery store looks for tomatoes that are symmetric and free of blemishes with a consistent color. The stores like to have tomatoes that will ripen predictably and stay ripe for a long time without spoiling.

These characteristics are reasonable to stress in plants in a commercial environment, but you will notice a characteristic that is suspiciously missing. That's right, flavor is less important for commercial crops than those other items listed above. That is why growing tomatoes from seed gives such a great opportunity to eat varieties that would be otherwise unavailable.

How do you know if a variety of tomatoes is more flavorful than another. In general, heirloom tomatoes are more likely to have great flavor than hybrid varieties. You can also review seed catalogs, and they should tell you everything you need to know about the characteristics of the variety which you are considering.

Trick #2: Companion Planting

Companion planting is the act of planting other complimentary plants next to your tomatoes in the garden to draw out the most from your tomatoes. This is very effective with a little know how. Grow tomatoes along side carrots to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes. Basil in your garden will repel flies and mosquitoes. Avoid growing tomatoes with potatoes or corn because they attract the same insects which can damage your crop.

Trick #3: Wide Beds

Understanding how tomatoes grow will make the benefit of wide beads instead of narrow rows apparent. Tomatoes require two things to be healthy: sun and water. The plant absorbs sunlight through its leaves and converts it into matter which makes the plant grow. Since the leaves are doing the work, the more leaves there are, the more surface area that the sun his hitting and the more the plant can grow.

Now the key. The tomato plant can only grow in proportion to it's root system. The roots gather water which is needed to feed the plant. If the roots are bound, in a pot that is too small for example, then the amount of water they can gather is limited and, thus, the size of the tomato vine is limited.

Tomato plants send their roots down to a depth of 2-3 feet and out from the plant horizontally as far as a couple of feet. If the tomato is planted in narrow rows, the roots are not able to go horizontally as far as they would like and the plant growth is limited. If the tomatoes are in wide rows, the roots have more freedom to go where they would like and will be able to support the huge tomato plant you are hoping for.

Your garden can be wildly successful with the right know how. Grow tomatoes that are flavorful in the right conditions to be thrilled with your crop. In the wrong conditions, you will be left disappointed with your garden. Have fun growing tomatoes from seed, and don't be afraid to try different things until you find something that works for you.