Deanna filled me in on the various species of tomatoes and which plants were determinate (bushy and producing only one set of fruit) or indeterminate (vine and producing fruit throughout the summer). She told me it was possible to grow tomatoes in containers and advised me to stake them fairly soon.
Stream Girl's mother was also present at my impromptu decision and successfully fielded my line of questioning on growing this vegetable that is really a fruit. She told me not to use twine or any other type of hard string because it would probably cut into and damage the stems and said most hardware stores offered a cloth type of string to tie the growing plants. She also suggested that instead of transplanting the young plants in the usual upright position, I should transplant the plant lengthwise and that portion of the stem covered with soil would develop additional roots. She reassured me the plant would straighten as it grew.
I finally got around to bringing the tomatoes home today.
I was so worried about planting them incorrectly that I planted a few horizontally and a few vertically. I've done a little reading since Tuesday and while I think I've got my bases covered, I'm still feeling very insecure. I'm not sure these containers are big enough for the plants. If any of my lurker readers have tips/suggestions please speak up! How big of a container should I use? How many hours of full sun should they receive? How do I know how much water is enough? And does anyone have suggestions on how to keep squirrels and rabbits away from my plants?
All I know to tell you is that you must treat them with something, or you will reach out to pick a luscious beauty that you have been coddling until just THE RIGHT MOMENT...and sink your fingers into a fleshy cavity while a HORRENDOUS tomato hornworm peers at you over the top.
ReplyDeleteI still shudder at the memory. Google "tomato hornworm" and face my fear!
Your containers look too small. Put them in the ground and the watering will be less critical and give the roots room to spread. You might plant some marigolds near them, the theory being that critters don't like the taste of marigolds. I use to do that, but find my dogs barking at the rabbits to be a better deterent. They seem to a problem this year and I am thinking to put some pie tins or whirly gigs that will catch the wind and provide enough movement to scare them away. Birds can also be a problem unless you have a mulberry tree that keeps them busy. Dust the plants with a little sevin dust for worms, but be sure to wash the fruit before you eat it. I don't mind picking the worms off and find great satisfaction squishing them underfoot. That way I avoid any pesticides and usually eat my breakfast straight from my garden as I harvest.
ReplyDeleteSorry, that was a little long-winded!
ReplyDeleteHillbilly Mom - great googley moogley that is one huge caterpillar. LOL. Now I won't wet myself if I ever see that thing on my tomatoes since I've been prepared for that monstrosity.
ReplyDeleteKathy - can tomato plants tolerate some shade? All of my yard (except the patio) is shade. There is one part of my yard that receives morning sun and then light shade in the afternoon. And if I need to stick to containers, I suppose I need MUCH BIGGER pots.
Thank you both for the tips!!! :)
I bet if you put them in the ground and water them they will do the rest themselves. That is what is so cool about gardening.
ReplyDelete