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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Various techniques are used for seed collection, depending on the growing and seeding habits of the plant. Choose seeds from healthy and productive plants that have that variety's typical - and desirable - characteristics. Don't just harvest from the first plant to go to seed. 

Sow tomato seed in boxes and let grow until minimum 30-45 cm ( 1 - 1 1/2 ft) before transplanting. Remove all leaves except the top three. Dig shallow trenches 60 cm (2ft) apart. Place roots towards middle of bed and lay with just 3 leaves protruding.

Cover with earth and the whole stem becomes the root system, giving at least and extra 40 percent growth. Suspend wires above tomato plants at least 2 m (7 ft) high as they will grow that tall. Tie the string to bottom of plant when it has reached 45 cm (1 1/2 ft) high. Tie the string to the wire. As bush climbs, guide it around the string occasionally.

To add magnesium to the soil, simply dilute epsom salts in water and sprinkle into the soil. One tablespoon of Epsom salts in 600 ml (1pt ) of water covers 1 square metre (10 sq ft). Epsom salt water sprayed on plants is harmless and may deter some pests.