How to Grow Tomatoes {Garden & Recipe}

Tomatoes are a great thing to grow in your garden!  

Besides the fact that there is nothing better than a fresh tomato, they are easy to grow!   

You will definitely want to treat yourself to planting a few and if you have children, this is a great  and simple growing experience for them!

 Today I'm sharing some tomato growing tips with you to show you just how easy it is to grow your own and then... 

BONUS... 

I'm sharing 2 tasty tomato dishes that are easy to do on your own as well!

Here is a picture of one of my cherry tomato plants that I grow in a pot {near one of my herb gardens}.  If you don't have space for a large garden, or want an extra kitchen garden near your door, consider growing cherry tomatoes in pots!  Super easy to do!  Have good drainage {simply put some rocks in the bottom of the pot before you fill it with dirt}.  Tomatoes need sun, mine gets afternoon shade {which is a must in the desert}. Water once a day {if you over water your plant it will only grow leaves and never flower}.  You will want to feed them at least once when first planting with food {for sure if it is in a pot, as nutrients can drain out faster} I use Miracle Grow.

Here is one of my Roma Tomato Plants.  Notice how I have a Tomato Cage for the plant to grow up into for support.  I put these in my potted Cherry Tomatoes as well.  Here in the desert I have found that Cherry Tomatoes grow the best and seem to be never-ending all Summer long {we also have Fall as our second growing Season too}!  If you plant large Tomatoes you will want to choose a variety such as Early Girl that will bloom sooner before the severe heat gets the best of it! 

Tomato Flowers {that turn into fruit}

Tomato Leaves {do not feed them to your desert turtles as they are poisonous for them, maybe other animals}

My daily Cherry Tomato Harvest!   

There is nothing better than going out in the morning and picking fresh tomatoes for lunch! 

 I have NEVER tasted tomatoes any better than the ones that my Mother and I grow.  

She lives 3 doors down and has a great large raised planter full of tomatoes and other herbs. 

{I love it when she is out of town and I am forced get to water and eat all of her tomatoes!}

Now to the TASTY part... eating your own tomato harvest!

There is not much better on a HOT Summer afternoon, than a homemade BLT, 

with ingredients fresh picked from your garden!

1.  I started with some Rustic Bread {that I sliced thick}. 
2.  Now most would put mayo on the bread but I love it plain {less calories too}!
3.  Then I added some petite heirloom lettuce leaves {shared here in My Garden Blog Post}.
4.  I then placed on 3 slices of thick Smokehouse Sugar Cured Bacon {you could use turkey bacon if you are watching calories}.
5.  Next I topped the bacon with slices of my homegrown tomatoes!
6.  For an added bit of flavor I then topped my tomatoes with fresh basil leaves from my garden {this really adds so much to this sandwich}!

So now all that's left is to put your other slice of bread 

on top of your masterpiece 

and bite in to all of that fresh and fabulous goodness!  

You will notice how healthy this sandwich can be.  

I did not use any toppings and the flavors are so fresh that no extra seasonings were needed!  

How's that for healthy {well you could only do better with low fat bacon but I'm not telling}!

But wait!!!  There's more of my fresh tomato goodness to share, with one more recipe!

I have the perfect and Super Simple recipe for Grilled Homemade Croutons and Tomato Skewers!  

The perfect topper for a fresh Summer Salad!  

This is so easy that you can have them done in 5 minutes and everyone can be eating while your dinner is on the BBQ!

I simply cut my Rustic Bread into large squares and put them on my BBQ skewers along with my fresh Cherry Tomatoes.  

Then I drizzled with Olive Oil, sprinkled with Garlic Salt and Fresh Ground 5 Blend Pepper. 

 Next I grilled on my BBQ {medium heat} for about 5 minutes {while turning once}.  

It really couldn't be any easier!

Then I plated it on top of Fresh Spring Greens and drizzled with a favorite Balsamic Vinagrette {or simply Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar}!  I will have to say that I even impressed my self with how incredibly fabulous this one turned out!  I have visions now of mushrooms and onion grilled {or shrimp} with this as well and topped on a salad!  One of our favorite dinners has always been grilled shish-ka-bobs and now I have a new great salad.  WOW!  My mouth is watering again thinking about my delicious lunch {as I finish up and turn on my grill for dinner again, with yet another treat for my family}!  Did you know that I'm somewhat of a Master at the grill and have been grilling since I was a young girl?  I'll save that for another day!

So there you have it!  

My story started with a girl in a hat, growing tomatoes and turned into a tasty tale indeed! 

Have you ever grown tomatoes {or thought about it}?  

What is your favorite Summer tomato dish?  

Have you ever tasted ANYTHING better than a fresh tomato right out of the garden?  

I'm wondering!