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DIY tomato thread

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Is anyone growing tomatoes this summer? Post pics!

I'm trying to grow them from seeds for the first time. Gotta start early here because it's so cold (low 20's this morning, and last frost near the end of May), so I started the seeds 3 weeks ago. Transplanted them from the seed starter yesterday, but had to throw 4 out of 16 away because they wouldn't stay erect:o. I'll introduce them to the mini greenhouse in a week or so, and will then build a bigger one. They are Cherokee Purple. Crappy pics attached...

If ayone has advice or tips, please post.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

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Aren't the lights too close, such that the heat will wither them?

For the limp ones, grind up a viagra pill and spread it over the dirt.



The lights have been that close for 2 weeks, and I just raise the lights as the plants get taller. I can't feel the heat from them on my fingers at that distance. The chicken manure and bat poop in the soil should act as viagra for plants.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

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I've never done from seed. I always buy the little 3" plants in the "6 packs." Usually the beginning of April. I put them in bigger pots and keep them on my kitchen table until Memorial Day. Last frost date and soil temps keep them inside until then.
I plant them, put cages around them and water them.
I usually go heavier on the cherry or grape tomatoes, with a couple of plants of full size.
"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

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Is that really all you have to do?
I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. :P

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

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Is that really all you have to do?
I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. :P



Pretty much. It isn't all that hard. Decent soil, good sun and keep them watered. Yank out the weeds before they take over. 10-15 minutes a day keeps the weeds down. I compost my kitchen scraps and use that for fertilizer (I don't use chemical fertilizers). Where I live, a six-pack of starter veggies is a buck or two for the littlest ones. Get a couple of what you think you'd like to eat and give it a try. All you'll be out is a couple bucks if it fails.

I've been growing a basic garden for a number of years. Tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts. I tried peas, spinach and a couple other things that didn't work.
I grew cauliflower fairly successfully, but my (now ex-) wife was the one who wanted that.
"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

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My mom swears by a product called Spray and Grow,its also organic. It must be very good because my mom has the ability to kill silk plants,yet has been able to have a garden every year except for the times we've moved.
No matter how slowly you say oranges it never sounds like gullible.
Believe me I tried.

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I've had good results growing tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Just drill a bunch of holes in the bottom for drainage, and fill it with a good soil amendment (made for improving bland soil, but just use it straight from the bag). I'm using this http://www.kellogggarden.com/products?brand=gardnerbloome&category=gardnerbloome-soils#2, but I have used something called Bumper Crop in the past. Don't use crappy Miracle Grow potting soil because it doesn't drain well. Use a stick to help support the plant at first. You'll need a wire cage thing after the plant gets big so you can use string or panty hose material to tie off and support the branches when the heavy fruit develops. Lots of sun and water. Maybe add some fertilizer after a couple months.

The starting from seed thing is completely new to me. In the past I got plants from the university that had been started in a proper greenhouse. They don't grow the heirloom varieties like Cherokee Purple. They're crazy looking but are supposed to be good.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

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My mom swears by a product called Spray and Grow,its also organic. It must be very good because my mom has the ability to kill silk plants,yet has been able to have a garden every year except for the times we've moved.



I didn't even know that mulberry grew here. :S:P:D


I tripped once, and tore a hole in my favorite silk pants. :) My knee was bloody, too. [:/]
lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

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I put in a raised bed last year and had good success, except what the groundhog ate. Got a few surprises for him this year. Anyway, it is fairly easy.

So far all I've planed this year is lettuce, which is now covered in snow >:(

I'll start tomatoes and peppers from seed sometime in the next week or two.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

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I put in a raised bed last year and had good success, except what the groundhog ate. Got a few surprises for him this year.



Fire in the hole! (WHOOOMP!) B|
"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

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re: advice or tips


it IS fun to start from seeds but try to prevent the seedlings from getting toooo lanky or spindly


Often it's good to get the plants AT planting time, from a reputable garden store soas to spare the plants the SHOCK of moving from indoors to outdoors..[:/].

Resist setting them In the outdoor location too early, and cover them when a cold night is expected...

P.S. grow some cucumbers AND Basil and a few red onions,,, as those items, when combined, make a Great summertime salad..don't forget the salt.:)We have a grocery store here, that sells fresh basil,,,In plastic, With bare roots still intact...(for using in the kitchen ) well I take them and Plant THOSE in the garden... and in a month or so, they can double in size...

either way. gardening IS fun If you have the time and if you are AROUND..... in order to keep them "hydrated"...;)


I had also planted a bunch of basil last year, from seeds that I saved from the previous years crop...The plants grew Like weeds!!!! I now have a huge amount of sweet basil seeds, for this year..... enough to share... B|
If ANy friends here, would Like some, i'll be happy to mail them to you... message me, with any requests and with a mailing address...:)jmy

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Is that really all you have to do?
I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. :P



I have black thumbs as well, and yes, just grab the seedlings and plant them. I've used the basic fertilizer solution and if it was to be a frosty night I just covered them with towels (over the May long weekend). After that it was just lots of water if it wasn't raining already. And heavy metal music. Lots of metal helped. I was surprised how easy it was.

But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

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You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse.

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You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse.



Insert joke about blowing . . .:)
I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

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You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse.



Insert joke about blowing . . .:)


I would never attempt to intrude on your business :ph34r: I will just stick to growing my nice big juicy NATURAL.. organic... tomatos in my greenhouse.

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You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse.



Insert joke about blowing . . .:)


I would never attempt to intrude on your business :ph34r: I will just stick to growing my nice big juicy NATURAL.. organic... tomatos in my greenhouse.


As it happens . . . I'm starting a very small garden.
Here are some pictures.

Can't believe the lettuce germinated in just a day and a half . . .
I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

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