That looks great. I'm on my fifth year of backyard gardening after a 20 year hiatus. I'm loving it. I have found that tomatoes do better if watered from underneath so the leaves do not get wet. For pest control all my tubers, carrots, onions, etc are in large above ground planters (containers) so the varmints can't get to 'em. YMMV
BTW: do you think there is enough spacing between toms? Also, for all veggies plus roses and citrus, I use a home made concoction of pulverized egg shell, coffee grounds, banana peels, iron filings stewing in water. Every third watering is that home brew.
do you think there is enough spacing between toms?
Not sure. How far apart do you space them? =============== Also, for all veggies plus roses and citrus, I use a home made concoction of pulverized egg shell, coffee grounds, banana peels, iron filings stewing in water. Every third watering is that home brew.
Interesting and maybe we might try that but what are iron filings?
Last year I spaced my toms 15". That made a heck of a tangle which stunted my best Big Beef plants. This year I have gone a full 24". Plus, this year I am trying the single branch for my bigger tomatoes like Early Girl and Big Beef. Already my Cherry toms are crowding.
You know, like when you use a file on iron. I avoid any metal which is contaminated with cutting fluid, etc. I dunno know, antique iron nails or hardware might work. The filings are for iron. Maybe it's overkill. I thought it a cheap way to prevent stunted fruit in citrus and blossom end rot in tomatoes. After a full month of using the home brew I do not see any deleterious effects although I do notice a lot less yellowing leaves.
Since I have been using this brew I am amazed at the growth of my toms and pepper plants. One Cherry tomato plant has over 100 good sized fruit (many already turning red) and a heck of a lot of budded flowers. A lot more than any previous year. That plant is less than two months old.
I feel like what have I stumbled onto? I'm having to prune toms nearly every day. Last year I had 48 lbs for canning and about that amount for cooking through the season from ten plants. This year I have 20 plants, all Cherry & Roma except four, and think the yield will be much larger per plant. I'm excited.
Thanks and we did't plant big tomatoes but we shall prune away, if need be! ============== After a full month of using the home brew I do not see any deleterious effects although I do notice a lot less yellowing leaves.
We definitely have old nails here and this is very interesting. ============= I'm excited.
Ya know, before you do anything like moving your plants, consider how you prune your plants. I know some folks - like very active gardeners or full on-commercial growers - use far less spacing. But they prune rather heavily. Airflow through the plant is vital. I reckon that can be gotten through spacing or by aggressive pruning, or both. I think that sorta points to the idea that no two growers are alike and there is no one right way and that your methods may change from year to year. Sorry if I caused great concern.
That looks great. I'm on my fifth year of backyard gardening after a 20 year hiatus. I'm loving it. I have found that tomatoes do better if watered from underneath so the leaves do not get wet. For pest control all my tubers, carrots, onions, etc are in large above ground planters (containers) so the varmints can't get to 'em. YMMV
ReplyDeleteBTW: do you think there is enough spacing between toms? Also, for all veggies plus roses and citrus, I use a home made concoction of pulverized egg shell, coffee grounds, banana peels, iron filings stewing in water. Every third watering is that home brew.
Rick
do you think there is enough spacing between toms?
DeleteNot sure. How far apart do you space them?
===============
Also, for all veggies plus roses and citrus, I use a home made concoction of pulverized egg shell, coffee grounds, banana peels, iron filings stewing in water. Every third watering is that home brew.
Interesting and maybe we might try that but what are iron filings?
Last year I spaced my toms 15". That made a heck of a tangle which stunted my best Big Beef plants. This year I have gone a full 24". Plus, this year I am trying the single branch for my bigger tomatoes like Early Girl and Big Beef. Already my Cherry toms are crowding.
ReplyDeleteYou know, like when you use a file on iron. I avoid any metal which is contaminated with cutting fluid, etc. I dunno know, antique iron nails or hardware might work. The filings are for iron. Maybe it's overkill. I thought it a cheap way to prevent stunted fruit in citrus and blossom end rot in tomatoes. After a full month of using the home brew I do not see any deleterious effects although I do notice a lot less yellowing leaves.
Since I have been using this brew I am amazed at the growth of my toms and pepper plants. One Cherry tomato plant has over 100 good sized fruit (many already turning red) and a heck of a lot of budded flowers. A lot more than any previous year. That plant is less than two months old.
I feel like what have I stumbled onto? I'm having to prune toms nearly every day. Last year I had 48 lbs for canning and about that amount for cooking through the season from ten plants. This year I have 20 plants, all Cherry & Roma except four, and think the yield will be much larger per plant. I'm excited.
Rick
This year I have gone a full 24".
DeleteThanks and we did't plant big tomatoes but we shall prune away, if need be!
==============
After a full month of using the home brew I do not see any deleterious effects although I do notice a lot less yellowing leaves.
We definitely have old nails here and this is very interesting.
=============
I'm excited.
As would I be! By the way, where do you live?
Ya know, before you do anything like moving your plants, consider how you prune your plants. I know some folks - like very active gardeners or full on-commercial growers - use far less spacing. But they prune rather heavily. Airflow through the plant is vital. I reckon that can be gotten through spacing or by aggressive pruning, or both. I think that sorta points to the idea that no two growers are alike and there is no one right way and that your methods may change from year to year. Sorry if I caused great concern.
ReplyDeleteRick
Sorry if I caused great concern.
DeleteThanks and not at all. Susan has her grandmother's hoe which is well worn and I'll take a picture of it.