Tomato Gardening Tips
Tomato Gardening Tips from our friend Ron Wilson
Tomato Blossom End Rot: "Last year I had a terrible time with my tomatoes turning black on the bottom. What was it you said we needed to do this year to correct it?"
-That's called Blossom End Rot, and is the result of the lack of calcium as well as uneven moisture levels. Add calcium to the soil (especially if you're growing in containers) using gypsum or lime, use a fertilizer that also supplies calcium - like Espoma's TomatoTone, and mulch around the tomatoes to help retain an even moisture in the ground (water as needed).
Straw Bale Tomato Gardening: "I like the straw bale gardening idea, but just curious, is that a one time use of the bales?"
-In many cases you can get two years, but sometimes one depending on how quickly they break down.
Upside Down Tomato Planters: "Can I grow any type tomato in the upside down planter?" -Yes, I think I've seen everything from the Whopper to the cherries. But I think best successes are achieved from the salad sized to the cherry / grape tomatoes.
Tomato Plant Types: "Which do you prefer - short and stocky or taller tomato plants?" -Shorter and stocky are easy to transport home, but when it comes to planting, the taller ones are actually planted deeper or trenched and can create a deeper and better root system. I just planted tomatoes in containers today, and those plants were about 14 inches long. They were perfect, as I planted them about 10 inches deep with 4 inches sticking out of the soil. But either size will work nicely!
Tomato growing tips from my friend Ron Wilson.
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