Tomatoes: Home Hydroponic Vs. Store Bought

We've all seen those beautiful clusters of red ripe tomatoes in the produce section of the store. They look uniform in size, bright red and blemish-free with bright green stems holding them together. However, if you grow your own hydroponically, there is a much higher chance that your crop will taste far better than those on the rack.

So, why is this?

Remember, tomatoes are big business. Although a vast percentage of tomatoes are for making sauces, fast food meals and more, the hydroponic tomato business is flourishing. However, the tomatoes that the commercial hydroponic greenhouses produce are usually special hybrids they breed for color, uniformity of size and the uncanny ability to all ripen at the same time. Unfortunately, these qualities add up to nothing but profit for the hydro farmer, and bland-tasting fruit on consumer’s tables.

Why isn't taste the first consideration? You would think that would be a top priority, but it's all about presentation. Think about it. Would you rather buy tomatoes that are irregular in size and color, with bruises and spots, or perfectly-shaped and brightly-colored fruit? Taste aside, I'm sure you would go for looks. Remember, they pick those juicy fruits when they are half green and half orange so they can make the trip to the store, which could take weeks. 




MyPotsandPlanters- Best Selection, Lowest Cost.

When you grow your own, you can control some or all of the process; from picking the seeds to controlling the growing medium. You even have some control of the temperature and light levels, along with fertilization, all of which makes for a better tasting tomato. Not having to pick them weeks early, or all at once allows them to mature the way Mother Nature intended, with all the juicy goodness we crave.

In taste tests, most consumers found it difficult to tell the difference in taste between tomatoes grown in soil versus those grown hydroponically. This is because, with the right basic ingredients, such as high-quality seeds, ample water, proper fertilization and plenty of light, nature can make it work.

So, don't worry about competing with the grocery stores. With hydroponics, your tomatoes will win the taste test every time.

Finally Time to Start Working Outside

I've been busy finding supplies for the many garden projects I want to do. I'm very good at shopping and finding materials, but I need to get better at the follow through. This year I feel motivated for a few reasons. I need to get more exercise, I need to eat better quality and organic food. We had a brutal winter. At first, we had almost no snow on the ground at all until late January, then it snowed like we lived in Buffalo NY for over six weeks straight. Boston broke the all time record at over 108". We had close to that as well. Here it was three weeks into it on February 22nd:

The green outlines are where our gardens are in spring. As you can see, we do not have a lack of white. It snowed again throughout the next week after then after a few above freezing days, it started melting.
I have big plans and we need warm ground to plant anything. Lettuce has t have soil temperatures above 50 to germinate while most mid season crops such as peppers and tomatoes prefer 70 degrees or higher.

Now you can see the garden fence so the snow is receding quickly. As of the first of April, all that was left was the larger piles that don't get much sun.