What are you doing differently this year...

BigBrownDogHouse · January 21, 2011

I have learned that crowded tomatoes are not happy tomatoes. Last year was the first year I really started giving the plants some space and they rewarded me. It was so much easier to get around them, pick, weed, etc. I will be spacing them out even a bit more this year.

Last year was the first year I stayed up to date with weeding throughout the entire growing season and it made me enjoy the garden so much more. Will make sure I do it again this year.

Going to mulch.

Will not be growing so many extra plants. The past few years I have grown so many extras and then given them out to friends, family, wife's co-workers, etc.
A few folks really appreciate the plants and rave about the tomatoes but I have found out some others don't touch their plants from the time they plant them until they're pulling them out of the ground in October if they even live that long.
Had about 25 plants around the house but seeded about 100. Almost too many to give away.

Even more canning! I find myself opening up jars and eating them straight out of the jar without them even making it to my pot of chili on spaghetti....too good!

Improve the cages and stakes even more. Made life so much easier last summer.

January 21, 2011	#27
BigBrownDogHouse Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Northern Illinois ZONE 5a...wait now 5b Posts: 906	I have learned that crowded tomatoes are not happy tomatoes. Last year was the first year I really started giving the plants some space and they rewarded me. It was so much easier to get around them, pick, weed, etc. I will be spacing them out even a bit more this year. Last year was the first year I stayed up to date with weeding throughout the entire growing season and it made me enjoy the garden so much more. Will make sure I do it again this year. Going to mulch. Will not be growing so many extra plants. The past few years I have grown so many extras and then given them out to friends, family, wife's co-workers, etc. A few folks really appreciate the plants and rave about the tomatoes but I have found out some others don't touch their plants from the time they plant them until they're pulling them out of the ground in October if they even live that long. Had about 25 plants around the house but seeded about 100. Almost too many to give away. Even more canning! I find myself opening up jars and eating them straight out of the jar without them even making it to my pot of chili on spaghetti....too good! Improve the cages and stakes even more. Made life so much easier last summer.