A Good Overview Timetable?

[Man44a]

I have been looking but I can't find what I'm looking for.

I want a general overview for tomato season. I would like to find a guide that covers the entire year, from when to plant, when to spray, when to prune, when to begin soil amendments, etc. I know location and weather does create variables, but a nice overview would really help some of us beginners. Im feeling I have missed some of the steps I need.

I don't start from seed.
I live near Nashville TN.

Do any of you guys have a guide or can you make recommendations?

[chiefbeaz]

I can help you on some of your questions, but I don't have a overview guide for everything and you really don't need one. OK here we go
# 1. In the Nashville area you can usually plant mid April
# 2. I don't like to spray, but the time to do it is when you see bugs or worms eating your plants.
#3. You don't have to prune,but if you do , it is a constant job during the growing season. Suckers grow all the time on tomatoes. You will miss a few but it won't hurt anything.
#4. Soil amendments ? Lots of different views on this. I'm not the one to be giving advice on this.

This didn't get you a overview, but maybe it will help you out. PM me if you need more advice and I will be glad to try and get you on track

[bughunter99]

I'm not a guy and not an expert but here is what my timeline looks like give or take adjustments for weather, hockey tournaments and other important factors. Zone 5

Fall-after first frost and before ground is frozen
Clean-up all tomato litter, burn old plants and add fall soil amendments
January-plan and order seeds for the season

Mid-February start seeds (many experts say this is way too early for my zone and are likely right, I obstinately ignore them)

Mid March Introduce to cold frame for hardening off and better light. Plants come in at night if unable to sustain nighttime temps above 40 degrees.

Mid-April, once ground thaws. Inspect beds and add compost top layer, and black landscaping fabric over beds to try and warm them up.

Last week of April: Plants in self watering containers if weather is favorable. This is three weeks before my stated last frost date.


May 1st: Plants in ground if soil is warm enough and forecast is favorable. This is two weeks before my last frost date. Plants are covered with row cover to maintain heat if needed.

Late May. Plants are staked. I do not prune my tomatoes other than taking off any leaves close to the ground.

I do not spray. Organic Fertilizer and worm compost tea applied periodically during the season. More frequently for self watering containers. Deep Watering once a week if needed. More often if temperatures exceed 90 degrees.

late June, first early tomato--hopefully! Usually stupice, kimberly or matina. Inspecting my plants daily now. Tying them up as needed, watching for issues etc.

mid-July first slicer usually ready

mid August-gads why did I plant so many tomatoes. Eating salsa like cereal

Mid-September-demands of munchkins begin to interfer with gardening and I let things slide.

the next week. Start seeing plenty of disease. This starts much earlier in wet and horrible years (2011) even if I am vigilant. I still don't spray.

mid-October Season essentially over for all but the hardiest. Fall clean-up begins.

Stacy