Home gardeners and small-scale growers across the Missouri Ozarks will have an opportunity to sharpen their tomato growing skills through Growing Tomatoes 101, an educational program led by Joshua Dunn, Agronomy Specialist for the South-Central Region. May 1 at 5:30 p.m.
The presentation walks participants step-by-step through the entire tomato production season — from the history and origins of the tomato plant to modern best practices for planting, fertilization, pruning, pest management, and disease prevention. Designed for both beginners and experienced gardeners, the program blends practical, hands-on advice with research-based recommendations tailored specifically to Ozarks’ soils and growing conditions.
“Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops in the region, but they’re also one of the most misunderstood,” said Dunn. “This class helps growers understand why tomatoes behave the way they do — from blossom end rot to fruit cracking — and how to manage those issues with proper soil fertility, water management, and variety selection.”
What Participants Will Learn
The Growing Tomatoes 101 program covers:
- The history and domestication of tomatoes, including their relationship to the nightshade family
- Seed selection and variety choice, including early maturing options and disease resistant varieties
- Starting tomatoes from seed or plugs and avoiding common planting mistakes
- Soil fertility and fertilizer math, with clear explanations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium management
- Preventing blossom end rot, fruit cracking, and other physiological disorders
- Proper staking, caging, trellising, and pruning for determinate and indeterminate tomatoes
- Identification and management of weeds, insects, and diseases common in the Ozarks
- Practical irrigation strategies to support consistent growth and fruit quality
A key focus of the program is explaining why the Missouri Ozarks is especially well-suited for tomato production, highlighting naturally calcium rich soils and how proper pH and moisture management help plants access those nutrients.
Research Based, Locally Relevant
Content presented in Growing Tomatoes 101 draws on land-grant university research and Extension publications from Missouri and surrounding states. Attendees leave with a clearer understanding of how soil tests, fertilizer labels, and plant growth stages translate into real-world gardening success.
“This isn’t just about growing bigger plants,” Dunn added. “It’s about growing healthier plants that produce more consistent, higher quality fruit throughout the season.”
About the Presenter
Joshua Dunn is an Agronomy Specialist serving the South-Central Region, providing education and outreach in soil fertility, crop production, and integrated pest management. His work focuses on translating research into practical recommendations that fit local conditions and grower goals.
You can register for this online at: https://pears.io/events/mu/5637/
Or call 417-256-2391
Cost: $5 with door prizes and educational material provided
