2013 tomato crop

[Rgold1963]

Just finished planting my 2013 tomato crop in the greenhouse. Right as I finished planting tomatoes this afternoon, it started snowing. I hope that's not a sign of things to come..... We are actually supposed to be somewhat sunny and dry for the next week IF you believe the weathermen.
There are just under 1000 plants of 53 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes this year. The English Cukes will be going in later this week in the back left corner.
Should start picking right around March 15th.

[GnomeGrown]

Nice work, Rgold.

How big is your greenhouse?

[Calcat36]

Wow. That is impressive! How is it heated?

[Rgold1963]

3400 sq' heated with propane. Unfortunately, I will burn through several thousand gallons before I start picking. Heat is always my biggest yearly expense.

Ron

[Cole_Robbie]

Impressive indeed!

The two white pipes that run along your roll-up sides on the inside, is that for billow control against the wind? I haven't seen it done that way.

[Rgold1963]

Those are actually 3 rows of vinyl rain gutter that I grow lettuce, basil, peppers, and melons in. You can see the top row if you look closely right by the 2x6 that is at 4'. The sidewalls do not roll up on this building. All of the air comes in at the South end through insect screen.

Ron

[vintagepatch]

I have greenhouse envy. Nice !

[Granite26]

Dang that is nice!


You grow peppers in the gutters? Thats cool....if you dont mind sharing, what variety do you grow?

[lakelady]

oh I am so jealous! Lovely greenhouse and the fact you'll be picking in March while it was 24 degrees here today and no sign of warming up any time soon .

[dustyrivergarden]

I would love to see more pictures as your season progresses and I love your green house also...what's not to be jealous about...lol

[casino]

awsome greenhouse, and those big wide isles, makes me want to put a lounge chair in there and listen to the tomatoes grow.

[Rgold1963]

Originally Posted by casino

awsome greenhouse, and those big wide isles, makes me want to put a lounge chair in there and listen to the tomatoes grow.

I made some big changes last Winter and pouring concrete and widening the aisles was one of them. There used to be 6 rows which made it very difficult to work in. I blew out my knee last year and had to have surgery so big changes were needed to keep the business running. It went so well(the changes to the floor and aisles) that I wish I had done it years ago.

Ron

[Rgold1963]

Thanks everyone! I will be taking pictures once a week as things progress.
I have grown hundreds of different peppers in the rain gutters. All of them do really well. In fact, I have grown just about every type of "non root" vegetable or green in them. Last year was mu fist attempt at melons and they came out quite spectacular. The "super hots" did exceptionally well in the gutters last year and were so prolific, I actually made more money(on a plant per plant basis) off of them than I did on tomatoes. Of course, I can't sell nearly as many of them as I do tomatoes but they definitely are worth growing.
I have never liked any type of melon but my wife does so I grew them for her. I tasted them and for the first time ever actually liked a couple of the varieties. Arava and Tasty Bites were so sweet I was amazed. I even grew a watermelon for her and was really skeptical how it would taste but I even liked it.
I plant them on the bottom row and just let the vines run down the floor along the side wall.

The gutters are using what would otherwise be unused space in the greenhouse and can generate enough over the year to cover all the operating expense so they are well worth the effort to install and operate.

Ron

[Rgold1963]

One week later...... Now if it would just warm up and maybe a little sun to go along with that. It's been in the low 30's here every night with a few night colder and only in the upper 30's during the day.

[Crandrew]

awesome. What kind of temperature do you keep the greenhouse?