Well Sjoerd . . . I know something you could share if you had a tiny bit of time to spare . . . I would dearly love you to give us some tips on "drastic suckering, defoliating and more tying-in." I am growing toms for the first time this year.
I'd be delighted. Can you wait a bit? I won't be able to get to the lottie for a few days, and I would like to include some piccies to help illustrate the way that I do it. The good thing is , is that it isn't complicated at all...do it once and you've got it. Honestly.
Yes, I can wait as long as you need!!!! They are in the ground and are doing well, but any bit of knowledge I can glean will be so much help!!! Thank you so much, Sjoerd!!!
Fan-flipping-tastic. Your allotment is so neat and weed free, sure does put mine to shame. Are you spending every waking hour there? And your toms, oh my goodness how they have grown. I need to give mine a stern talking to - am thinking of printing off a piccy of yours to take down and show them so they have something to aspire to.
Garden gator--Yes, I do a bit of fertilizing and more importantly...I dig out and empty the soil in the greenhouse each year and replace it with organic manure bought compost and my own compost. This is what I plant them in in the method outlined on my website. Once the flower buds form and the first one opens, I begin feeding them with tomato food, manure 'tea' and comfry alternatingly. After that I meticulously sucker the cordon plants and defoliate the cordons from time to time until the plant is at the height I want--then I top it and remove the last of the leaves that I want to remove. Oops...that answer sort of expanded itself. sorry. EJ--hahaha you are a real card! Those toms might sulk if you take a piccy down and show them. hahaha Yes, I do spend almost every free moment there. I really put myself into the hobby, and I enjoy it so much.
Thanks Sjoerd; I will increase my fertilizing. I appreciate all advice. Your plants just seem to explode. I'd be happy for half that growth by now. gardengater
Seems like a been awhile since I been here but...your garden is coming right along. With me working now, (and its been raining) we still need to get things out of the greenhouse and out into the garden. My zucs and squash are starting to get buds. Keep up the good work. Though I'm behind I guess it'll be o.k. in the end.
It's great to see you again, Petunia. Sounds like you've been busy. I'm glad that you had a couple of minutes to post here. Take care and don't work TOO hard.
You have some seriously manicured gardens. I am very impressed at the level of work you put into them. I thought I was a fanatic about keeping up with my garden but you are on a totally different level. I have to step up my game. those are awesome!
SOJ... I have discussed the suckering , defoliating and tying-in that you asked about on another page. S.
