New Jersey 2016 Container Story

rniedzia · June 9, 2016

Hi - this is my 3rd year of growing tomatoes and 2nd of cucumbers. The first year I had 3-4 small containers and failed miserably. My second year I started with 3 City Pickers from Home Depot and my success rate was about 50%. Why 50% ? Tomatoes grew too high and I lost 2 containers once a windy thunderstorm came in. I mean what fun to have tomatoes on your lawn. so here is my story of 3rd year and changes made:

a) selected seeds
b) better support system for tomatoes and cucumbers

A - seeds... I got a few feeds in Feb 2016 from Rutgers Univ sale event. I started seeds first week of March and not expecting too much. I mean I have never done anything like that so any success is beyond expectations. Next year I will have heat mat and lamp :-)

B - plants. All of my tomato plants this year are coming from https://mgessex.org/

and the list includes:

Rutgers 250, Ramapo, Moreton, KC-146, Opalka Bycze Rogi, Yellow Pear, Anna Russian, Cherokee Chocolate, Chefs Choice, Black Cherry, Yellow Pear, La Roma.

C - support / cages. To make a long story short - after spending endless hours going through the forum - I simply came up with design similar to what I have found on this site.

D - fertilizers: combination of Texas Tomato Food, Fish Fertilizer, egg shells and banana skins...

E - Neim Oil weekly routine plus 2 items from "Safer" against other unwanted guests.

F - I am happy to say that I won ( at least thats what it looks like ) the fight against Cucumber wilt. yes - the Japanese beetles and some spraying with products helped to stop the tragedy. I had no choice and was willing to fight the fight. I wish there was other choice.

I dont have enough experience to get into prune or not to prune, city pickers vs earthboxes, home made top mix vs bought etc. I am showing what works for me in NJ in a relatively small space.

Sure - some may argue 4 per box is too much and probably are right. I do realize that extra calcium and TTF will be needed almost daily to keep plants healthy.

June 9, 2016	#1
rniedzia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 10	New Jersey 2016 Container Story Hi - this is my 3rd year of growing tomatoes and 2nd of cucumbers. The first year I had 3-4 small containers and failed miserably. My second year I started with 3 City Pickers from Home Depot and my success rate was about 50%. Why 50% ? Tomatoes grew too high and I lost 2 containers once a windy thunderstorm came in. I mean what fun to have tomatoes on your lawn. so here is my story of 3rd year and changes made: a) selected seeds b) better support system for tomatoes and cucumbers A - seeds... I got a few feeds in Feb 2016 from Rutgers Univ sale event. I started seeds first week of March and not expecting too much. I mean I have never done anything like that so any success is beyond expectations. Next year I will have heat mat and lamp :-) B - plants. All of my tomato plants this year are coming from https://mgessex.org/ and the list includes: Rutgers 250, Ramapo, Moreton, KC-146, Opalka Bycze Rogi, Yellow Pear, Anna Russian, Cherokee Chocolate, Chefs Choice, Black Cherry, Yellow Pear, La Roma. C - support / cages. To make a long story short - after spending endless hours going through the forum - I simply came up with design similar to what I have found on this site. D - fertilizers: combination of Texas Tomato Food, Fish Fertilizer, egg shells and banana skins... E - Neim Oil weekly routine plus 2 items from "Safer" against other unwanted guests. F - I am happy to say that I won ( at least thats what it looks like ) the fight against Cucumber wilt. yes - the Japanese beetles and some spraying with products helped to stop the tragedy. I had no choice and was willing to fight the fight. I wish there was other choice. I dont have enough experience to get into prune or not to prune, city pickers vs earthboxes, home made top mix vs bought etc. I am showing what works for me in NJ in a relatively small space. Sure - some may argue 4 per box is too much and probably are right. I do realize that extra calcium and TTF will be needed almost daily to keep plants healthy. Last edited by rniedzia; June 9, 2016 at 11:38 AM.