Trying Containers/SWCs

[cgs]

This is my first time to try SWCs and my second year of intense interest in Heirlooms. I thought I'd post a progress report and you might have some advice, learn something ,or simply enjoy.

3/4/10 - Impatiently bought and planted Brandywine, Orange Oxheart, Cherokee Purple, and Old German (all started plants). Built two SWCs.

3/9/10 - Took a little more time to look around for varieties and built three more SWCs. Planted Green Zebra, Paul Robeson, Striped Roman, and Reisentraube.

3/13/10 -Green Grape and Snow White planted

3/17/10 - Couldn't stand it anymore and had to build one more SWC - Black Cherry and Costoluto Genevese. Also, one mystery plant in a hanging basket - It wasn't labeled and I thought it might be Tumbling Tom, but now I don't think so. Any guesses?

[cgs]

Here is BC and CG in one SWC and the unknown cherry in the other pictures.

[cgs]

- First five SWCs (red) all have old Tomato Tone. The last SWC and the basket have Rabbit Hill Farms Tomato and Pepper Food (2-1.5-3), b/c I can't find any Tomato Tone (old or new). I did put about a two tbls. of Osmocote slow release vegtable food deep in all SWCs.

- The unknown cherry is blossoming like crazy and already has 20 something toms on it. It is Rugosa leaved (spelling? grammer?) I'll look up what I think the possibilities are when I get a chance.

- I planted the Paul Robeson as a double experiment (two seedlings growing next to each other). I asked about this last year and was advised against it. It is by far my best plant in terms of blossoms and foliage. So no adverse effects yet.

- I have a serious gnat population. BT and Pyretherin applications don't seem to have made a dent. I guess I need to order the sticky cards.

- I bagged a couple blossoms to save seeds and I have already ordered far to many seeds for the fall or next spring. I may learn to trade.

I am having fun so far, but a little afraid of what could be coming disease or pestwise. I love to have a cup of coffee and check progress each morning.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by cgs

... I have a serious gnat population. ...

One remedy I've heard about for seedlings is to cover the surface of the soil. You can use perlite, newspaper, etc. I don't know if this works outdoors.

[amideutch]

cgs, welcome to Tville and it looks like we have tomato growing weather in Houston. Check out the link below for products to help you with your gnat problem. Ami

http://www.biconet.com/solutionsdg.html#Gnats