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| Click here for the entire article 13 Do's and Do Not's of Growing Tomatoes |
I found SO much information that I wasn't sure what to do with it, and still want it handy to reference. So I thought I'd share it with you and still have it all here to reference later!
First tip! Don't stress. Are you feeling over run with tomatoes? Are you concerned about fruit flies in your kitchen? Simply wash some of those tomatoes off and toss them in the freezer. When you have time, thaw to use. A bonus: the skins will slip right off after defrosting.
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Complements of Gardening Jones.
I have found a formula that works wonders. Dig a hole twice as deep as normal, put a banana peel and ground up shells from 3 eggs in the hole, add half the dirt, then plant the tomato plant in what’s left, but “sideways” (so much of the stem ends up underground). Fill the hole with the rest of the dirt. Then cut the bottom out of a 2-liter soda bottle and plant it upside down next to the tomato plant, leaving about 1″ above ground. Use that to water the plant. They get good strong roots, lots of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and the roots - not the leaves and stems - get the water. Tons of fruit that is tasty and meaty, no blossom end rot, no other diseases, and they don’t need to be watered as often as we used to.
This year I tried adding a banana peel next to each tomato plant. I also use epsom salts which I sprinkle several several times during the year. I also sprinkle coffee grounds around my plants the grounds feed the tomatoes, and also keep slugs and snails out of my tomatoes. I also do the same for my roses. I live in Maine and I have more tomatoes than I can use some years. This year after adding the bananas I had my first tomatoes almost on month early.
I’ve heard of using epsom salts for roses as it encourages flowering. Soak your tired feet and then toss that solution of epsom salts around those flowering plants, including tomatoes. Epson salts can be added at any time.
The main reason (I’ve found) not to water from above is because your thirsty plant will open its pores to absorb that water. If the sun is out, that means, rather than watering your plant, you’re causing it to open up its pores, thus causing moisture to evaporate OUT of the plant. If you water under it, you don’t have that problem. However, you can alleviate most of the problem by simply watering your plants in the morning early enough they can absorb all the water BEFORE the sun is close enough to toast them, or (MY PREFERENCE) water in the evening, close to sunset. Then, they can soak up the water, let the leaves get a good drizzle, and not worry, because they have all night to guzzle it down before the sun comes up to suck it away again.
With the temperatures you have, the low temperatures should be fine, tomatoes can actually take some cold. I would be more concerned about them getting too hot. If the temperatures get to about 95F when they begin to bloom, you may experience ‘blossom drop’ which is exactly what it sounds like. Tomatoes don’t like real hot temps.
I was told to use calcium for the bottom/black rot. I didn’t have any last year and I used powdered instant milk. it works!
Snip off the lower leaves and plant them so only the top few inches of the tomato show. the stem will grow additional roots, increasing the amount of nourishment the plant can get.
You can try keeping cut worms away by using pieces of cardboard to foil around the base of your plants. I have heard many gardeners say they use paper towels roll cardboard around their tomato plants and it works great.
Unfortunately there is no way anyone knows of to stop blight. Since it travels by air, the best thing you can do is keep after it. Early blight can be controlled by using organic copper, apply as directed as soon as you see signs of blight.
The rot problem they are talking about is a lime deficiency correctable by using yard lime. You can get this at any garden center. We used to lose hundreds on our farm until I learned this in an AG class.
Also, some people use city water from a hose. This is not good because it has a lot of chlorine in it and that will kill plants if over-watered. Try to save rain water for watering.
Have one tomato plant with LOTS of blooms but no tomatoes. You do not need more than one tomato plant to pollinate, each flower has both the male and the female on it. What it needs is a little vibration, either from the buzzing wings of bugs,or light winds. You can help the tomato out by shaking it very gently. It also won’t pollinate if it gets too hot. If you see the flowers dropping off, that’s most likely the reason.
Black spots are a sign of a fungal problem. It’s possible it is early blight. You can treat it with any fungicide, such as Neem oil. Here’s more: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/Garden/02949.html
There is also info there on pest control.
I have always pinched off the sucker sprout at base of branches because I was told they do not fruit and only sap the nutrients from the fruitful branches. However this year a friend told me No let them grow and pinch off any branch that looks like it is dying. So I have done this and they are growing and blooming like mad! And look vibrantly healthy.I bought the plants when they were about 4 ft tall (my work schedule kept me from planting early this year) and could not dig a deep enough hole due to gravelly soil so I bought 2×3 ft tubs. I gouged holes in the bottom of the tubs. Mixed composted manure and Organic Miracle Grow Potting soil and used medium size cages. Looks like I may have to move in the next few months so this is a good thing. So far no bugs or diseases or squirrels.
Male urine keeps rabbits out of your garden. Cat hair also works to keep them out. I also have no squirrels in my garden and I think it is because of the urine and cat hair. I raise chickens and have an abundance of eggshells when I make angelfood cakes. I put the washed, crushed eggshells around my tomatoes.
I catch 3-400 small bluegills every spring ..spade 12″ deep holes where my cages will be. after a few weeks they decompose enough to add my tomato plants…they flourish.
Too much fertilizer will grow wonderful bushy and green, albeit unproductive, plants. Same goes for your peppers by the way.
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Also as they grow take the side shoots and slowly work them down and put a clump of dirt on their stalk where the leaves are. I use to fill my kitchen counter with starter trays, this way I have less work but get more plants. I wait about a month for it to root and transplant it.