UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Almost every gardener, from Martha Stewart to the' fic tional Don Corleone, has grown tomatoes. The trick to growing them effectively, according to a Penn State gardening specialist, is proper care and preparation. Plant tomatoes by Memorial Day. If temperatures dip to frost levels after planting, icover the tomato plants with paper or cloth coverings. Plastic covers will cause freezing if the plastic touches the plant. Here are some tomato growth tips: • Planting. Tomato plants should be planted in early evening, to reduce stress and heat injury from the sun. Tomatoes need cool, moist condi tions after transplanting. Set the plant into the ground up to the first set of leaves so the roots will be more stable. • Stakes or cages. Stake or cage the plants as you are plant ing them. 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About the time you’re running out of patience, that’s when the plant has had enough water.” • Tying. Two weeks after planting, the stems should be tied to the stake with soft twine, strips of cloth or yarn. • Add nutrients. Because TWIN/DOUBLE 1 FUTON BUNK BED 1 , Trailer Load'Dealer Refusal I with 8' Futon Mattress , Red - Black - White 1 Reg Ret $B9B 95 #2 * 1 Armolre/ ■SOFA & lOVESEAT CLOSEOUT | OONTMIISS J C^S^T^ R L CE I |_ S2lOO _ _595.95 #2J IBEDROOM p^" SE " oUT Oygt^, I Arm., Greater, Mirror, Nlghtatand, I & Headboard. Get 2nd Nlghtatand ■ HoißglLai FREE WHILE THEY LAST I $ 369.04 IP® 7 ' ; BED CLOSEOUT i l Full Size * Brass or White 1 I Headboard & Footboard 1 Reg. Retail $619.00 ( 1 UNDER WHOLESALE , 1 OUR PRICE | $149.95 1 1 Rails Extra Pennsylvania has calcium-rich soils, gardeners should add mag nesium to the soil. Tomatoes require high amounts of magne sium, which can be added by applying high-magnesium lime stone, or the even more magne sium-rich dolomitic limestone. The bottom leaves of the plant will turn yellow if it needs magnesium. When the plant is in a weakened state, Early Blight, a disease that attacks tomato plants, can develop and hurt the tomato crop. •Insect and disease control. Gardeners can control pests in small gardens by breaking off leaves with evidence of disease of insects. Seal the affected leaves in plastic bags and throw them away. If conditions are too far gone, spray. About 40 days after the flow ering or 65 to 80 days after transplanting, the first tomatoes should appear. For the best fla vor and aroma, gardeners RECLINER l Reg. Ret. I $329.95 , OUR CASH PRICE 1 $129.95 | WITH COUPON . *89.88 #2 | - 1 Reg. Retail ' $1899.95 #2 I should wait for the tomato to reach full color before picking. The tomato should be slightly firm, not mushy. Any tomato showing even a trace of color will ripen as long as they aren’t refrigerated. How long it takes to ripen depends on size, variety and other factors. TTie plants will continue to produce tomatoes until the first frost. If you know the frost is coming, go out and pick every thing. Those showing color will ripen and the green ones can be fried, or cooked into relish. The following tomato vari eties are known for superior taste and aroma: • First Lady VFNTAs (The VFNTAs means this variety is resistant to Verticullum, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes, Specializing In Fibered Roof Coatings (Over 2000 Colors To Choose From) w**y Roofs Houses