Question
Okay, so I have accepted that I planted my transplants too close together.  
They are probably less than 1ft apart.  The plants are now about a foot tall
and growing strong and healthy.  Should I move the plants farther apart or
will this disturb the roots too much?  I have the plants in a 35 gallon
container.  What are the effects of growing the plants closer together other
than the mini jungle that is formed.  I'm a first time gardener and I need some
advice.  Is is okay to leave that plants spaced as they are or should I take the
lose and risk moving them?

Answer
Teadra, the primary reason tomatoes need to be spaced a  minimum of 2' apart is to maximize their intake of nutrients. When plants are spaced too closely, their roots will intertwine, causing them to compete with one another for nutrients. When they are spaced at the correct distances, they are able to get ample feeding and oxygen through the soil. This increases the harvest and the size of the tomatoes.

Secondly, plants require air circulation to remain healthy and avoid fungus diseases. Tomatoes are especially susceptible to a variety of diseases, so proper circulation is essential.

You can transplant them without doing any harm. Tomatoes actually thrive when transplanted, unlike most other plants. Always transplant tomatoes slightly deeper each time. The reason is the lower part of the stems will produce nodules that will form into more roots. The better the root system, the healthier the plant. Just be sure to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible when transplanting.

I hope this answered your question. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike