I wish I had a good memory. Being new here, I'm perusing old threads to see what I can learn and to avoid asking you pros questions you've answered a dozen times already. I just saw your 2012 planting layout. ;)

Here is a relative comparison pair of photos take on day of planting (Mar3) and yesterday (April 3) Goose Creek:

[IMG]http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u405/raybo31/April313_zps21996138.jpg[/IMG]

Raybo:D

My cost per box this year is about $22
 

My 18 gallon box is costs about $10.00 each to make.

$5 for the container. I only use 1 container as I am on a budget. I make the platform from the lid.
$1 for net pots
$1 for the PVC fill tube
$3 for the PVC pipe standoffs I have them cut for me at OSH 3" dia by 3" tall

Mix, dolomite and fertilizer is about $9 for each box

$7 for potting Mix
$1.00 for fertilizer
$1.00 dolomite lime

6 foot green stakes $.50 each, I use 4-6 for each box

Grand total about $22 per container, which if I recycle the box and mix this should be a much lower cost next year.

When you consider a regular 14 inch pot at my local store costs me $7-10. Which doesn't preform as well as the earth type containers, I think I am doing it on the cheap.

If I had a few more bucks in my pocket I might do some of the fancier stuff Raybo does, but for now this is my cheapskate version. I had 6 boxes last year and they preformed really good for me. This year I made 12 more for a total of 18.

So even on the cheap it cost me about $400 for all of them, don't tell my wife :lol:

I sold some tomato starts this year to offset some of the cost, craigslist is great, 3 people came by and cleaned me out of my 30 extra plants. I am glad there are crazy people like me who want to try every variety. Had 1 guy buy 18 plants.

Thanks for the comments on my pics, I enjoyed reading them,

- Virtex

Raybo is one of the fence squares 8" tall? If I calculate correctly your plants are 2.5 feet tall? Looks really good!

- Virtex

Virtex,

Correct. The plants in the Fertilome are 6 inches taller versus the Goose Creek (above) in old Tomato-tone.

Raybo

Confession: I decided to use new tomato tone as I had a brand new bag along with another fert called Jabos organic tomato fert. in the tainers this year. (couldn't find Fertilome close to home and had to get planted out that weekend) Well, the plants are really starting slowly and for the first time, the in ground plants are substantially further along than those in tainers. Typically tainers start faster because the above ground soiless mix heats up quickly in sunshine relative to the time it takes to warm the soil in the dirt garden. I can't say if this is related to the fertilizers, but that is the only factor that has changed from the last few years. (I did replace about 1/3 of the mix and then worked it all in by hand, but that should only have resulted in improved water uptake).

I guess at this point the dye is cast on fertilizer in the mix. Thinking about using a liquid feed in the reservoir to attempt to boost growth. I've never done that early in the year. Any thoughts an whether that will jump start the plant growth?

Dewayne Mater

Dewayne,

As they say: You can't "unscramble an egg". I think you are stuck with where you are at. I would add a liquid supplemental fertilizer such as Miracle-gro. Save the new Tomato-tone for the in-ground plants where it will probably do better.

Raybo:o

This is what your plants should be looking like, even in the 5:10:10 Lilly Miller fertilizer:

[IMG]http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u405/raybo31/IMG_2376_zps9635613a.jpg[/IMG]

DeWayne

You might get from your local hydro store GH FloraNova grow-7-4-10 with complete micros. You might also get some liquid fert from one of our members-here is the thread to see about this fert:

[url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=27229[/url]

Just a thought,
few years ago my seeds germinated as usually then sat for a month without growing.
They did not die, just looked kind of weird: leaves curled and got purplish underneath. A month of no change. Than I noticed tiny black flies. The bag of potting soil I got from Lowes was infested with gnats.
Check for bugs. Just a thought. Once in a blue moon it does happen.
Good luck.

Thanks guys! I actually bought some of the Urban Farms tomato food and it just arrived! I think I'll put it in the reservoir tomorrow. Thanks for the thoughts. This was one of those lessons like measuring twice and cutting once. Sure, I got the plants in the tainers a few days earlier, but the slower growth and lower quality fertilizer is looking to be slower than if I'd waited until I found the good stuff. Live and learn!

Dewayne mater

So I'm just curious, as I have a 20lb bag of the new TT incoming from Ozbo. Is the stuff worthless? I don't just want it for EarthTainers. I'm wondering how it could have degraded in efficacy to such a degree from the previous recipe(s). I like to mix in TT (even the new junk) when regenerating soil in the raised beds. I figure it might have some microbes in it to help get things more lively.
-n

Folks,

Many TV members have reported good results wih using the "new" Tomato-tone in-ground applications. Dewayne, since you also grow in-ground, simply save it for next Season and use Fertilome, High Yield, or Lilly Miller in the 'Tainers going forward.

Raybo;)

Check if they add Macorrhizae.

Dewayne,
Don't go overboard on the liquid fert just yet. Just a few tastes to get things started. I used new TT as the fert strip last season and was perfectly satisfied with it - until July. It just kind of petered out. And it did seem to take a little while to "kick in" at the start.
I think if I could have replaced or replenished the fert strip mid season, it would have been fine.
Naysen,
I don't think the new stuff is worthless. But - different formula, different results.

Well, I'll go on using it then.. It's a great deal (assuming not worthless) on Ozbo. So, I like the concept of throwing in a handful with every plant in hopes of ensuring I have all the micro-nutrients covered. That and the idea that their biotone organisms can some how "enliven" my soil mix.