What tomatoes are you growing this year?

[DrVos]

Originally posted by: nerp

Originally posted by: DrVos
I'm growing an Early Girl, a Yellow Pear, and some heirloom variety that is supposed to fruit through December! :Q

Where do you live?

Sacramento, CA...Our winters are generally pretty mild, it doesn't really get that cold til jan/feb.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: uli2000
Im doing some green zebras, yellow plumbs, cherokee purple, brandywine, and San Marzano. Love them tomatoes.

Ever had the San Marzano? I think I've got one this year, They should be excellant for Dullard's request for a paste tomato.

I checked my list and I have a "Striped Roman".
http://www.southernexposure.co...tlist/prods/49211.html

OP - look out for these guys, they can decimate an entire plant in a day or two, about as big as your middle finger.

hornworm

 

[gsellis]

Brandywine, Grape, and Tamina. For small tomatoes, I highly recommend Sugary

Sugary at TM Seed

 

[jEnus]

What's the word on Brandywines? I see alot of people growing them, anyone want to comment on them?

 

[FelixDeCat]

Heres my humble tomato garden.

 

[Homerboy]

tomacco

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: jEnus
What's the word on Brandywines? I see alot of people growing them, anyone want to comment on them?

They're pretty much the classic heirloom. Big, lumpy, a deep almost purple color and explosive tomato flavor. Very sweet and meaty and delicious. Perfect for slicing and serving straight up as a tomato salad. They're a little harder to grow than other varieties, but they're pretty sturdy and shouldn't give you much of a problem as long as they get plenty of sun.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Heres my humble tomato garden.

Those look pretty close together. Are you concerned about them crowding each other out and their root systems battling it out underground? I'd also take care of some of that grass around the plants. All plant roots release chemicals to deter/ward off root growth of competing plants. I'm still a novice gardener so I might be making it out to be more of a concern than it really is, but since reading steve solomon's book, I'm paranoid about giving all my veggies plenty of room for their roots.

 

[zebano]

Roma (for pasta) and cherry (for salads). I'm also growing strawberries for the first time ever.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Originally posted by: nerp

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Heres my humble tomato garden.

Those look pretty close together. Are you concerned about them crowding each other out and their root systems battling it out underground? I'd also take care of some of that grass around the plants. All plant roots release chemicals to deter/ward off root growth of competing plants. I'm still a novice gardener so I might be making it out to be more of a concern than it really is, but since reading steve solomon's book, I'm paranoid about giving all my veggies plenty of room for their roots.

I never considered the role of roots. Your description sounds like an epic battle for survival of the fittest. I will take your advice under consideration.

 

[SagaLore]

I'm growing heirloom varieties this year.

- Cherokee Chocolate
- Black Cherry
- White Wonder
- Green German

 

[troytime]

i have my tomatoes in a planter, is that ok or do they need to be in the ground?
also, do i need to have cages or anything when they get bigger?

i suck at plants

 

[spidey07]

If the planter is a pretty good size you're fine. Most tomatoes are indeterminate and will just keep growing and producing fruit reaching 6-7 feet high, you absolutely need some kind of support system for them. They're vines, they want to grow on the ground but all that gets you is rotten fruit.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Originally posted by: nerp

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Heres my humble tomato garden.

Those look pretty close together. Are you concerned about them crowding each other out and their root systems battling it out underground? I'd also take care of some of that grass around the plants. All plant roots release chemicals to deter/ward off root growth of competing plants. I'm still a novice gardener so I might be making it out to be more of a concern than it really is, but since reading steve solomon's book, I'm paranoid about giving all my veggies plenty of room for their roots.

I never considered the role of roots. Your description sounds like an epic battle for survival of the fittest. I will take your advice under consideration.

Yeah I've been lead to believe you want them about 24-36 inches apart. I haven't been doing this long enough to know how much of an impact or how different the yield will be depending on the spacing. There are so many variables, like soil quality to throw into the mix so you might have amazingly good soil and perfect moisture and sunlight and your crowded plants will flourish while someone with poor quality soil and tons of spacing will have meager results.

I've also been reading about how marigolds near tomatoes provide awesome help in reducing pests etc. I sowed a lot of marigolds nearby before reading that, so I'm pretty happy about that.

 

[spidey07]

nerp, I specifically have marigolds near mine this year to combat hornworms, because if I had them last year I'll probably have them this year. Also basil is a very good companion plant.

This year I plan to help the plant out with pollination and use a electric toothbrush to shake the plant. Giving the cage a good rattle helps as well.

 

[Minerva]

Growing tomatoes in the ground is so 1980's.

Grow them upside down in these!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...mpost-20&linkCode=as2&*****&*****&creativeASIN=B0001WYNP0

Perfect for those tight on space and you never have to worry about cages, stakes, or them sitting on the ground EVER!

 

[sao123]

we usually grow...

roma's
early girl's
big boy's
and occasionally
juliet's

 

[Oceandevi]

http://i13.photobucket.com/alb...eandevi/Picture427.jpg

11 POUNDS. for serious. I pick 3 times a week. I have over 20 lbs now and don't even need them. I also compost a third of the fruit due to bugs. Organic gardening is a pain sometimes.

But the experiment worked and I will improve the garden for next year. It is fun when you have it irrigated lol.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Oceandevi
http://i13.photobucket.com/alb...eandevi/Picture427.jpg

11 POUNDS. for serious. I pick 3 times a week. I have over 20 lbs now and don't even need them. I also compost a third of the fruit due to bugs. Organic gardening is a pain sometimes.

But the experiment worked and I will improve the garden for next year. It is fun when you have it irrigated lol.

AWESOME! I've been meaning to post pics of my harvest. Let me know what bugs you're dealing with and I may be able to help.

Big update for me is I don't have any hornworms. Marigolds seem to be doing their job.

 

[Oceandevi]

Squash beetles!! They are a menace and scary wasp-like when flying. I also had cucumber beetles but fought them off.
I am letting the bugs destroy a few plants to keep them busy. Something is eating the bugs also. The numbers are dropping.

So the marigolds are a trap crop?


also why do my tomatoes split like that at the top? Is it a water/ferts issue? I will have to find out.

 

[spidey07]

Oceandevi - ygpm

The split is from periods of wet and dry or inconsistent water uptake (same thing). Could be high nitrogen as well, but almost always water. Mulch would help.

Marigolds put off a stink/chemical that many pests do not want. Look up "companion plants", marigolds are your best friend. For your beetles you want wasps, it attacks their larvae.

If you have more questions call your local Agriculture Extension, they are very happy to help and they know what is going on in your area. Take them a soil sample as well.

 

[Oceandevi]

I have wasps everywhere back there. If they nest by my front door then I nuke them, otherwise they are golden.

Marigold seeds are 10 packs for a buck at this local shop. thanks for the info.

 

[CKent]

If I tried growing anything the deer around here would snarf it in a heartbeat. I would say they're like an ant colony, but ants aren't that numerous :Q

 

[Chaotic42]

My tomatoes are red and for some reason when I came home today, they look like chunks were taken out of them. I didn't see any bugs, but it just looks like someone came and scooped out little bits with a tiny fork.

Any ideas?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
My tomatoes are red and for some reason when I came home today, they look like chunks were taken out of them. I didn't see any bugs, but it just looks like someone came and scooped out little bits with a tiny fork.

Any ideas?

Need pics, I'll help.

Sounds like deer, your best recourse is to kill the fawn with a shovel and dump the carcass in the garbage for pick up. Really depends on the bit marks, if you've got rabbits, you know what to do.