Let's Talk 'Maters

[plugger]

Nothing better than home grown tomatoes . I was in my mid 30's when I ate my first . I couldn't believe how good they were compared to store bought. Best of luck !

[Curmudgeon]

Tobacco horn worms decimated our plants. We're just trying to hang onto them and get some blossoms.

[Ibtsoom]

My fall tomatoes are looking pretty sad this year. Hopefully they'll perk up a bit but right now I'm looking at about half the yield that I normally get. Not sure whats up other that maybe I didnt pay as close of attention to them as I should have up to now.

[buoy37]

I am the proud father of new little walnut sized tomato. It is my first, so don't laugh. I feel like I caught my first slot red (shoutout to Bruce).

I hate to say, but I forgot what kind of tomato plant I planted.

[Gilbert]

That makes three of us.

4 actually.

I hate the taste of raw tomatoes.

[buoy37]

I do not like tomatoes but I will eat anything with tomatoe sauce such as ketchup or salsa or whatever.

mjh I'm the same way

That makes three of us.

Sliced homegrown tomatoes topped with Hellmann's and a little black pepper was a side dish at Grand-Ma's house.

[Curmudgeon]

mjh I'm the same way

That makes three of us.

[fuzzy]

I do not like tomatoes but I will eat anything with tomatoe sauce such as ketchup or salsa or whatever.

mjh I'm the same way

[JT]

I'm still outta of town and can't find it......but if you want to know about gardening .....go find an article Kathy Huber of the chronicle wrote on about may 29 or so, 1999....entitled a "A Garden of Eatin". The most informative gardening article written about a local gardening legend. The original print was a full page write up complete with pictures and informative about gardening.

[mjh]

I do not like tomatoes but I will eat anything with tomatoe sauce such as ketchup or salsa or whatever.

[buoy37]

Coe added a Gaden Forum!!!!!!!

http://www.fishwestend.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/119-The-Garden

[Muddskipper]

I like the idea of doing a forum for gardening .... I am big into organic gardening .... but Love to grow herb .... the kind you use in foods ....

But Granny always said ... "you can't smoke what you don't roll" ... seriously...she said that .... it tripped me out ...

I digress .... Either way now is the time to start talking about spring gardens

I just split a dump truck with 8 cubic yards of compost with my neighboor .... we spread it out on our yards .....

I still have bell peppers producing today

[WestEndAngler]

Back when I was growing peppers & "maters I hated the mess of soil. Also, it crowded my front patio area. In college a buddy grew tomatoes inside in a bucket he bought on ebay with a light bulb hanging above it. I did some research and made the switch.

I switched to a hydroponic system. The lack of room in my front yard, the sun was only good for 2 plants, the cats & squirrels were eating everything to quick etc. all led to my decision.

So, I experimented with growing under artificial light inside and found I could double my yield in 1/2 the time.

[Ibtsoom]

This is start to look like a fishing report. All photos, no report.

I've got a couple of questions.

1. I've got a raised bed garden that is 3' x 18', bed depth is 12 to 14". I built the bed last fall and filled it with landscape mix. Based on the performance of my winter garden, I need to juice up the soil. I planned to plant about half the bed in tomato plants. What can I do now to supplement the soil? My Dad says get some chicken manure. He's generally full of manure so I need some guidance.

2. Any comments on when to put the plants in? I see the comments above on varieties that do well here and I'll track some 'big boys' down.

3. Do you guys follow a spray schedule or anything to fertilize and/or manage critters or do you simply watch the plants and fix up as required.

Probably pretty fundamental questions to you guys, but I'm new at this.

JYC

Mine are raised bed as well -- My general rule is fowl manure one year and cow manure the next.


As far as when to plant -- most old-timers say that if you plant anything before good Friday it's bad luck. Down here we have to start as early as we can though because it gets hot so fast -- I have some things planted now (put onions in on the first part on Nov) and the potatoes will go in this month by the 15th if it stops raining long enough. As far as the spring garden I'll put mine in in march as soon as we get a weather break and just baby it until there's no more danger of frost. If you're starting plants from seed indoors -- do it now. Otherwise you can just buy em at the nursery in march or april. Maas nursery over off Todville road has a great variety for all of the garden seasons.

Having a raised bed it's really easy to lay down that roll out black landscape cloth and plant through it. This will greatly cut down on weeds and bugs and the water and fertilizer will go right through. I use a good standard fertilizer like 13-13-13 to begin with and till it in. After that I spray about once a week with the miracle grow stuff that you can fit on your hose. As far as bugs good old seven dust goes a long way but ortho makes a good fruit, flower and vegetable insect killer in a spray bottle for about 6 bucks. -- use as needed. Don't vary your watering too much and dont over water -- especially when it gets hot. If you miss a day watering when it's 105 outside it's not necessarily terrible but don't overwater the next day to make up for it. Good consistant soil moisture is very important.

All of the pics I posted above were from my fall garden -- I put those tomatoes up on Dec 24th.

[SUPER SPOOK]

corndog knows whats up,been eat'n maters all winter!!! thanks ray