First ripe tomatoes of the year

[BLTLOVER]

buenaventura43, I make 4' wide beds that are about 13' long with about 10" paths on all sides. So, they are about 5' apart in one direction and 7' - 8' apart in the other. (See photos) Even at that spacing some of the branches will touch each other but for the most part, they get pretty good air circulation which is important. You said yours are dying, do you keep them sprayed for fungal disease? I spray mine with Daconil every 2 weeks if there is no rain but if it rains I spray them immediately after when the weather clears. I'm don't know what symtoms your plants are showing but if their leaves curled and spots appeared on the leaves and stems then they may have blight which turn the leaves brown and eventually kill the plant. If you keep them watered in dry weather and protect them from disease, they should produce right up to frost.

The first photo shows the plants earlier this summer, the second photo gives you an idea of the spacing when they get big, assuming you're planting a indeterminate plant.

[buenaventura43]

Next year I'll make my spacing same as yours and spray them with daconil.Thank you for your great posting.

[barryla61]

You have created the perfect environment for tomatoes.
That is truly amazing!
Getting a soil sample is a good idea because evidently you have the ultimate combination for tomatoes. Would love to see the results

[BLTLOVER]

Barryla61, my curiosity is tweaked now and I will test the soil next spring and post the results. Organic material makes the difference for sure.

[BLTLOVER]

Well, since my last update on 8/18/12, I picked 23 ripe ones on 8/27 and 49 today (9/2) which brings the 6 plant total for the season to 468. The number and size of the ripe tomatoes has decreased but the good news, as you can see in the photo, is all plants are thriving and loaded with green tomatoes. I still think I can hit 600 if we don't have an early frost. The difference this year is the fruit set slow down that we had for awhile due to the hot night time temps.

[JamesL]

Originally Posted by BLTLOVER

Well, since my last update on 8/18/12, I picked 23 ripe ones on 8/27 and 49 today (9/2) which brings the 6 plant total for the season to 468. The number and size of the ripe tomatoes has decreased but the good news, as you can see in the photo, is all plants are thriving and loaded with green tomatoes. I still think I can hit 600 if we don't have an early frost. The difference this year is the fruit set slow down that we had for awhile due to the hot night time temps.

Looks like you have a solid sales crew there in the 3rd photo.

[BLTLOVER]

I must have posted some of my updates on a different thread. Anyway, after 9/2, I've picked 37 (505) on 9/4, 46 (551) on 9/9, 91 (642) on 9/15 and 97 (739) today 9/23. That beats last years total of 686. I predicted early summer that I would hit 800 but backed off that because of the heat but it looks like I'll make it after all. You'll notice from the pictures that the plants have some disease now. We've gotten some rains and I decided not to waste the Daconil since frost isn't far away. Gotta love those BIG BEEF! You can check out my album to see pictures from planting to frost.

[BLTLOVER]

I haven't posted since 9/23 but I'm counting the total ripe tomatoes picked from my 6 Big Beef plants at 761. I did pick more than that but they were getting pretty small. The productivity of the Big Beef still surprises me. I hope you've found the information that I've posted throughout the season interesting and helpful. By the way, I'm going to try and get a total weight next year. That should be interesting.

[casino]

The productivity of your tomatoes is amazing. I have OK production with a 30 inch spacing, but I cram in (and test) a lot of different varieties on the space that I have. Your 4 foot spacing and hill planting is a winning combination. Keep the crown dry and keep the roots moist what a winning combo. I never would have thought of that. Outstanding. I am still in awe.

[dpurdy]

BLTLOVER,
I've enjoyed your post this season and have had similar results with the Big Beef tomatoes. I grew 25 Big Beef plants this year. I may only grow the Big Beef variety next year due to the fact that I found a produce buyer that really liked this variety. I'm working on a contract price for my tomato production next season. If this next year works out well, and I have a season like this year, I will be thinking about doubling the size of my growing space the following year. I believe that you said in one of your earlier post that you used four (4) foot spacing with your plants. I found out this year that my production was up in the area that I experimented with four foot spacing between plants. I had plants that were spaced 24 inches apart, 36 inches apart, and 48 inches apart. The four foot spacing definitely out produced the 24 and 36 inch spacing. If I grow only the Big Beef next year, I believe that I can harvest over a ton of tomatoes. This year I harvested approximately 1600 lbs. total. Next season we'll have to stay in touch so that we can compare progress and techniques. I can't imagine what your production would have been if you grew in a tunnel, like I do. You had a great year with your tomatoes and here's hoping that you have a great year next season as well. Go Big Beef.
DP

[BLTLOVER]

DPURDY,

Wow......imagine a ton of tomatoes! It sounds like your well on your way to being a successful commercial tomato supplier. That's great! I envy your set up. How early and late do your plants produce inside?

Let's do stay in touch, I would like to hear about your Big Beef production and compare notes.

Thanks again!

[BLTLOVER]

CASINO, after you made the comment about the moisture in my beds, I remembered a picture that I took several years ago (10 years ago) that really shows the advantage of raised beds after heavy rains. If I would have had my garden planted in rows, the crops would be in standing water and when the sun dried the garden up the soil would have been hard and crusty. There are many advantages to raised bed. Productivity, loose soil and high and dry!

[gnol]

Wow! What an awesome crop. I would love to find some seed for these tomatoes down under.

[BLTLOVER]

Gnol, if you can't find them down under, let me know and I'll get some and send them to you.