2013 Tomato Plant Sale
Thursday May 9th 7-7 PM
Friday May 10th 7-3 PM
Sat May 11th 7-1 PM
e-mail for appointment
jackstomatoes@gmail.com
Thursday, December 30, 2010
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Techniques and Tips
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TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Hardening Off
This moving plants from the indoors to the outdoors to the outside environment without endangering them. This should take place one week to 10 days before planting them. You should start by subjecting them little by little to the cooler temps, direct sunlight and some wind. It very important that you keep a close eye on these the 1st few times that they are subjected to the outside elements.
TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Trenching
This is the practice of laying the plant horizontally along its stem. The additional roots will form along the buried stem providing the plant with more energy to produce tomatoes:
a. Pinch off yellowing or dying leaves on bottom of stem before planting.
b. Lay the whole plant in a shallow trench. Roots facing west, and stem facing east.
c. Cover the stem with 2-3 inches of soil and bring the top cluster of leaves above the surface.
d. Wrap strip of newspaper around the stem ground level (cutworms)
e. Place stake on east side where the stem emerges.
a. Pinch off yellowing or dying leaves on bottom of stem before planting.
b. Lay the whole plant in a shallow trench. Roots facing west, and stem facing east.
c. Cover the stem with 2-3 inches of soil and bring the top cluster of leaves above the surface.
d. Wrap strip of newspaper around the stem ground level (cutworms)
e. Place stake on east side where the stem emerges.
TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Dual Planting
This is planting two plants side by side. This has proven to produce more growth and more tomatoes than one plant alone. The plants grow faster as they compete against each other. I suggest that you set the plants at a minimum 4 inches apart.
TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Staking Advantages
1. This keeps the tomatoes off the ground. (cleaner fruit).
2. You can grow the plants in 1/2 the space than crawling.
3. Fewer disease problems because plant dries out quicker.
4. Earlier harvest. More of the plant energy into ripening of the fruit.
2. You can grow the plants in 1/2 the space than crawling.
3. Fewer disease problems because plant dries out quicker.
4. Earlier harvest. More of the plant energy into ripening of the fruit.
TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Pruning
Pinching off the shoots or suckers that sprout for the stem in a crotch right above a leaf branch. If you let the sucker grow it will become another big stem with its own blossoms, fruits, and suckers. If you pinch these suckers the energy of the plant will be directed to the main stems. If you want additional stems to develop, allow the suckers closest to the bottom above the 1st blossom set to develop. These will have more flower blossoms and are easier to train suckers that sprout higher up. It is important that you watch for suckers that grow out of the ground. Also it is important that this technique is applied primarily to Heirloom that are indeterminate.
TOMATO TECHNIQUES - Other Tips!
1. Spend the minimum of 5 minutes each day in your garden. You will spot details that need attention.
a. Cut off suckers
b. Correct Tomatoes that need traning.
2. Water thoroughly once weekly. Over watering will cause more problems than underwatering.
3. Use the tallest stake that you can buy. 5 ft. work fine but 6 ft. will work better. Remember that these plants are indeterminate (will continue to grow). 12-15 tomatoes at 1.5 lb. each will weigh 18-23 lbs. Plants with this much weight need support.
4. Pinch flowers off 30 days before anticipated frost. These will not ripen before the frost. This will channel the energy into the ripening tomatoes.
Ideally, a great tomato year is having the first tomatoes by the third week of July and the harvest continuing each week until frost which is generally the end of September or early October.
It is important to have all sizes and flowers of tomatoes. I can customize a selection for you that will achieve your tomato needs.
a. Cut off suckers
b. Correct Tomatoes that need traning.
2. Water thoroughly once weekly. Over watering will cause more problems than underwatering.
3. Use the tallest stake that you can buy. 5 ft. work fine but 6 ft. will work better. Remember that these plants are indeterminate (will continue to grow). 12-15 tomatoes at 1.5 lb. each will weigh 18-23 lbs. Plants with this much weight need support.
4. Pinch flowers off 30 days before anticipated frost. These will not ripen before the frost. This will channel the energy into the ripening tomatoes.
Ideally, a great tomato year is having the first tomatoes by the third week of July and the harvest continuing each week until frost which is generally the end of September or early October.
It is important to have all sizes and flowers of tomatoes. I can customize a selection for you that will achieve your tomato needs.