Right then, I shan't write the whole technique down again this time...just show a few pics and some text. We had exchanged all the soil in the greenhouse back in the winter...let it sit as open trenches until around march or so, and the we made a mix of our own compost, council compost and garden soil mixed with some rotted stall manure. We let that sit some weeks and now was the time to lay those toms in their growing positions. We dug an angulated trench and after trimming off all the leaves except for 2-3 at the very top, placed the plant in this slanted trench...root ball at the deepest place. If you look closely, you can see the little nubbin's of where the leaf stems were. Next we watered it in thoroughly, and then covered it over...placing an empty plastic cola jug over the root ball. Once covered with soil, one cannot see exactly how the plant is lying, and so we broke off short lengths of bamboo-like grass to demonstrate where the feeder segment lays. This is helpful as the summer wears on and the soil becomes different in appearance, and is buried under a layer of comfrey leaves. Two different types of toms were planted in the small greenhouse--one type on one side and the other type across from the path. Two cue plants were added and a couple of Paprika's for good measure...they still need to grow a bit first though. Take a look at the two sides: do you see that the plants on the right side are further apart from each other than the toms on the left? Can you guess why that is? The answer is that on the left side, are Ferline F1 toms (an indeterminate, or bush sort)...and on the right are the Pozzano, a determinate (bush) sort. Obviously a bush tom plant needs more room laterally because of its habit. Here a foto from the following day--see how the plant tips are now standing up already. I use the Ferline toms to eat in salads or right out of my hand. The Pozzano I use to make concentrate saved in a jar. The Pozzano is a pomodoro type. I used to use the biggest, fattest flesh tom I could find for this...but for the past 2-3 years, I have used the pomodoro sort because my taste buds preferred their flavour. I am always on the look out for other types of toms and spuds to try, so I am looking forward to hearing what types you guys use.
Hiya Red, The advantages of planting the plants on their sides are: ---More shallow feeding roots will be formed along the length of the bare stem. A tom takes water from de deep roots feeds from the shallow ones. I plant then at an angle so that the plant "knows" that there is an up and a down. **When I feed the toms I apply the food only along the length of the buried stem --That is what the little bamboo sticks are for. I give the plant water only in the plastic bottles positioned over the root-balls. ---By leaving just a couple of leaves at the top of the plant, the first truss will be lower on the plant and that means that as the plant grows, and forms more trusses, you will get one or two extra trusses before the season ends. Well, those are my reasons/advantages as I see them. I hope that I have made myself clear to you, meid.
A tomato plant will form roots anywhere on the plant except the leaves. You can take a branch from a tomato you like and stick it in water or very moist potting soil and in a week or so it will form roots and you have a new plant identical to the parent plant. You can only get an identical plant from seed if the plant is heirloom. Hybrids will make tomatoes from seed but they are small,, like a salad tomato. I always have volunteers come up from last years tomatoes. Those I use for eating as you are picking the big ones.
Sjoerd, after reading about your tomato planting technique many years ago, when our paths first crossed, I have planted my toms like this ever since and always have a bumper harvest.
Remarkable. You know way back then, I was just telling how I did my toms, but really never thought or expected anyone to do it themselves. I always feel good when I hear that someone has tried doing things how I do them and they have success. It is just a super feeling. I always get too many toms each year from my tiny greenhouse ...hang on--is there any such thing as "too many" toms?
Most all the experienced gardeners here plant tomatoes deep or the same way you do. Some, like me, just dig a deep hole and plant all the way to the top leaves.
MART--Well, I don't doubt that planting them the way you do will also give good yields. EJ-- Too right. DONNA--That's good to hear. I am proud. What types of toms did you plant this year.
Sjoerd, I planted Peron's and Amish paste for canning and sauces. Big Zac just to see if I can get a 5lb. tom. Fried green tom's because I love them. Jelly beans for lunch in the garden. The weather as been rainy and cool so everything is setting still. Sunshine this week so I hope too see tom's jumping for joy.
Thanks for answering, Donna. You have some nice ones there. I know of these types but have not tried them myself. I shall be watching to see how yours do and how you like their taste. I shall stay tunes. p.s. We presently have a stretch of rainy weather now as well.
Sjoerd, I thought of you today as I planted a German Johnson (Or is it Johnson German?) tomato on it's side. I have tried to find either plants or seeds for Giant Belgian tomatoes. Impossible to find in SE Michigan, but I keep hoping.
Ours have been going in this week, too. tonight we put in a row of Big Beef. Last night was a row of Pink Cupcake and assorted yellows to fill up the row. A row of red duece? or maybe it was Primo red... Both are bush type tomatoes. Each row is 26 tomatoes. I still have a couple more rows to go.
So far, I have set out 31 tomato plants and hopefully have a few yet to set out, the ones I planted from seed.
