Once a garden curiosity the tomato has now become one of the most popular vegetable crops. The tomato can be grown in many areas under many different conditions. Because it is well adapted, and because people get a great deal of satisfaction from growing tomatoes this vegetable is grown in almost every home vegetable garden on Long Island. Adequate sunlight is one of the most important requirements for a good vegetable garden.
Tomatoes require a great deal of light especially for setting fruit.
For this reason a garden should be located in an open area away from shade-producing trees and buildings. If the garden must be located near a shaded area, it is best to place it so that the plants are exposed to the south. In this way, the plants can receive the direct sunlight for the greatest length of time. In addition to having adequate light, the site should also be well drained with soil that is easy to work. In the natural state, Long Island soils are very acid and require liming to raise the pH. To be sure, especially if the garden is in a new location, a pH test is necessary.