Ketchup is a staple, nay a requirement, when it comes to burgers, hot dogs and French fries. But if you think about it, the average household is spending far too much for this famous condiment. Instead of purchasing bottles upon bottles of this delicious topping each year, why not grow your very own in your garden?

The great thing about tomato plants is that very little goes very, very far. While this is a good thing (more bang for your buck), you need to exercise caution when planting your tomato plant. Tomato seeds can be grown in your home initially, if you can provide the right atmosphere. Tomatoes, like most plants, need heat and sunlight. Seedlings should be kept in between seventy and eighty degrees, with direct access to the sunlight. Soil should be moist, but not overly watered.

Tomatoes will be ready to be transferred into the ground or into planter pots once the stems have sprouted a few (one to five) leaves. Once transferred to the ground, depending on the size of your tomatoes (cherry, plum or beefsteak, to name a few), you will need to provide enough space between each plant, especially for vine tomatoes that will need stakes for support. Typically, twenty-four to thirty-six inches between plants is adequate enough space for these tasty treats to grow. While the tomato plants are growing, you should maintain its environment and provide plenty of water and access to sunlight. For those that go the extra mile, adding compost or fertilizer to your soil will only increase the quality of your tomatoes.

Picking your tomatoes is the easy part! Once the tomatoes begin to turn red, you should know that they are ready and ripe. You can also test tomatoes by their firmness. Gently squeeze the tomato; it should be firm. Otherwise, leave the tomato on the vine until it reaches ripeness. If left on the vine too long, tomatoes should be used immediately and not considered for stored usage.