| Author |
Garden Gate:  Question for tomato growers...  |
|
|
lovelady
True Blue Farmgirl
533 Posts
Toni
Indiana
USA
533 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 04 2009 : 11:59:04 AM
|
| For those of you that grow lots of tomatoes, how do you manage them? I mean, do you trellis them, use regular tomato cages, let them sprawl all over the ground? I usually grow about 40-50 plants and have been tying them up to twine that is run between steel posts along the row, but am looking to see what works for everyone else. |
|
|
Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2009 : 4:03:24 PM
|
Many people do it different ways, but this is what works best for us. And this is how my dad taught me. We always would straw the garden. Put it down thick - then run a string (Dads rows always had to be straight.)- dig a hole in the straw and plant your tomato plant. Then place a wire cage around them.
Just made more cages 2 years ago, got the roll of the wire from the farm supply store. It is actually the wire they lay down before pouring concrete. Has nice big opening for you to get you hand and arm in. Then drive a stake and tie your wire cages to it. If you don't stake them, when the tomatoes fill the cage and a storm comes it will blow them over so staking is a must. What I try to do is place the wires for two tomatoes close enough so I can use one stake between them.
By using the straw you don't have weeds to pull and it help hold the moisture in the summer.But you need to put it down thick enough or the weeds will come through. And then with the wires you don't have to worry about tomato laying on the ground to rot or ant to get in them. And you don't have to keep tieing them up. Don't know about you but seems like I have all this energy when it comes to putting it out, but 1/2 way through the summer who feels like weeding and worrying about tying up things. I would rather take a little more time in the spring and then not have to worry later when it get so hot.
Have a friend who never stakes or cages her tomatoes and it works but boy to try and pick them without breaking your neck. They spread all over the ground and to much waste for me. The ones laying to closed to the ground rot. By having them in cages you have plenty of air circulation too.
We usually have over 40 plants too. I'm a sucker for trying new varieties along with the old stand bys. We can salsa, ketchup, spaghetti sauce,pizza sauce, BBQ sauce and tomatoes for soup. Takes time, but sure taste good.
Good luck with your tomatoes this year. |
 |
|
|
ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4739 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4739 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2009 : 6:00:25 PM
|
I use wire cages and plastic ones. I prefer the plastic, they are sturdier and withstand the weight of the plants better too.
Dawn in IL |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2009 : 9:09:04 PM
|
Right now I don't have anything in the garden yet. Just some herbs that have come back. We are going to freeze tonight again and possibly snow. All my wires are piled up just waiting for spring to actually make it's way here and stay. And my bay window is filled with little tomato plants.
I don't have a digital camera (still using and old 35mm) and wouldn't know where to begin to even post pictures on here. I could see if my Sister in law would be able to do something for me once I get my garden planted. She has a digital camera and I'm sure she could figure out what needs to be done to get them posted.
Did take some photos of my sunflower patch last year, but none of the tomatoes. Sorry can't help with pictures right now, but will see what I can do at a later time.
|
|
|
|
farm~maid
True Blue Farmgirl
176 Posts
Christine
IN
USA
176 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 12:12:44 AM
|
We use wire tomato cages and if we run short of those, wooden posts. We use strips of panty hose to tie the tender plants.
Christine |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 03:53:22 AM
|
We use tomato clips that you can buy from Johnny's Select Seed
Basicaly we run verticle posts about every 5 feet. Then lashed and seated on the tops of these we use timber bamboo. Really any long pole can be used, but that's what we have growing around us.
Next I take 1 piece of bailing string/twine and tie it off at the top and let it hang loosly where the plant wil be growing. The clip holds the vine and string vertcile
It's best to sucker off the offchutes and as the plant gets heavier you have to use a few more clips.
We found out about this method a few years ago.
It's a bit more labor intensive unlike cages, but makes for easier weeding/tilling between rows and individual plants. |
|
|
|
Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 06:45:36 AM
|
Toni- Last year I planted 47 tomato plants and this is pretty normal for us. In recent years I had used home made tomato cages from fencing bought at the feed store. Last year we invested in Cattle pannels and ran them in a zig-zag down the tomato row, since they are so sturdy they hold each other up and support the tomatos real well. As the tomatos grow up then I can guide them through the fencing as needed, or tie up with twine. As my tomato cages "die" off they will not be replaced, this was the solution for us.
Lillian |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 09:10:30 AM
|
Any ideas for tomatoes that will be in hoop houses? We get temps so cold at night that I think the only way I will be able to harvest any tomatoes will be with extra protection
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 10:50:33 AM
|
I think it depends on how big your hoop house is. Have you thought about building the MJF greenhouse that was in last summer's issue (Raising Jane I think) and putting it over your tomato patch?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 11:49:11 AM
|
I did think about that but we have all the materials to do hoop houses and lots of other projects that require us to buy stuff so I'm afraid that purchasing the material for that one is not in the budget this year. I didn't really see any suggestions in those plans for staking tomatoes up anyway, just curious if anyone has a favorite method.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
|
|
|
milkmaid
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Heather
Higginsville
Missouri
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 11:58:34 AM
|
We made cages from the concrete reinforcement wire.. they are 5ft tall and about 2 1/2 ft in diameter these work well for us they are strong and last for many years.. I had trouble with the cages form the store because my pants would always out grow them by double.. now they stick out the top but the cage is stout enough that it will not topple over.. we also use TONS of straw for mulch it works great for controlling weeds and keeping moisture in.
http://goodfarm.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl #542
Mother to five awesome kids, wife of 17 years and milk maid to two beautiful cows. Living the good life!!! |
|
|
|
lovelady
True Blue Farmgirl
533 Posts
Toni
Indiana
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 1:47:21 PM
|
| Thanks for all the input! I have also been browsing on a tomato-growers forum and it seems that the concrete reinforcemt wire is very popular, both as cages and stretched out as a panel. We have lots of posts and several cattle panels, so I think I will try that. I also read that several people cut their plastic grocery sacks into strips to tie their plants up. I had always cut up old nylons. I am also on the hunt for straw. We have several wheat farming friends, so that should be an easy one. Thanks so much! |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 4:08:23 PM
|
Hmm.. I wonder if you could kindof create a wall of the concrete wire.. Run one strip the whole length of the bed, then another about 4-6 inches away from the other. Then plant the plants betweent the two wire walls and tie as they grow? Do you think that would work?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
lovelady
True Blue Farmgirl
533 Posts
Toni
Indiana
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 4:37:42 PM
|
Alee,
It seems like I did read of someone doing that, I'll try to go back and see how they liked it. It may be a bit harder to tie them, since you would have to reach through the panels every time. I think they have 4-inch squares. |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 08:35:48 AM
|
Alee~ No our cages are not funnel shaped. straight sided and about as tall as I am. I will have to go out and count the holes to see how many we left when cutting the wire off the roll to make the cages, and will measure the diameter.
They sound just like the post from the milklady.
Someone mentioned the cattle panels. I use just single one of them staked to let beans spin up on and pickles. Also works great for gourds. Never have used them for tomatoes.
When we went to Arthur and Rockhome garden I seen the biggest tomato plant ever. It was as tall as the step ladder. No joke, cause they had a ladder up putting another cage on top. Just from what I seen wonder if you keep adding wires if the tomato won't just keep climbing? Only thing is it most likely would put all it's energy in growing and not set much fruit. But might be something worth trying for fun.
|
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 09:17:39 AM
|
There is a photo of a tomatoe plant in the "Solviva" book that had grown up the whole heighth of the green house and was cascading over. It was several years old and still producing because it didn't die at the end of the season! It was amazing! It looked like some sort of monstrous plant that should be in a rainforest!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 09:34:15 AM
|
I like the concrete reinforcement wire too. Purchased more wire last year and it was 4 ft tall and the tomatoes still grew over the top. I like the idea that the tomatoes are kept off the ground and are not available for the slugs, earwigs, etc. that tend to feed on them.
I can tomatoes, but have never made any of the sauces mentioned. I'm single and can what I need and some for my sister that uses NO SALT in hers. I plant about a dozen plants and thought I was growing a lot. I could not imagine taking care of 50 plants--you go girl.
I give away some tomatoes, but think I will just savor them this year. I'm going to have to get rid of all the grass I have in the garden area. Strawberries have been mostly moved out of the regular garden into their own bed. Where does one find straw? I was going to use dampened newspapers this year.
Betty in Pasco |
Edited by - Betty J. on Apr 07 2009 09:36:39 AM |
|
|
|
Diane B Carter
True Blue Farmgirl
1270 Posts
Diane
Blasdell
N.Y.
USA
1270 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 10:00:48 AM
|
You can do that Alee, My brother grows everything up. He has poles about 5 feet apart and wires between them and grows everything up. I don't go there very often, I'll probley go in August and hopefully I'll remember a camera.
Hope all your days are Sunnydays.
dianebcarterhotmailcom.blogspot.com |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Question for tomato growers... |
|
Question for tomato growers...
