The Fall EarthTainer Garden Oct 19: Tomatoes, Cukes, Snow Peas - Page 3

z_willus_d · November 11, 2012

Hi Ray, I just read through your thread (missed it last month), and I enjoyed all the commentary and pictures of course. You've really created a veritable (shall I say bona fide) vegetable farm there. I've got a 5'x10' raised bed at work that's root bound with the stubs of the summer/early-fall corn crop. Once I get past my DST laziness, I think I'll turn the bed over and plant some of those snap and sugar peas. The other one I have in mind are Fava beans. I do love Fava in a succotash -- just wish I had some fresh corn kernels to got with them.

Happy harvest.
-naysen

rnewste · November 11, 2012

Hey Nayesn,

I am looking forward to the Sugar Snap Peas as I've never grown them before. Will be interesting to compare the taste, etc. to the Oregon Giant Snow Peas. I've now planted 4 'Tainers of the Sugar Snap Peas along-side 14 'Tainers of the Snow Peas, so we should have a pretty decent supply of Peas to stir-fry with over the Winter.

I'll be doing a more comprehensive photo update of the Fall EarthTainer "Farm" on Nov 15, so check the Threads on Thursday.

Raybo

Riceloft · November 11, 2012

Hey Ray,

I just finished my end of season cleanup and noticed that roots in each of my 'tainers managed to grow around the sides of (and in one case THROUGH both layers!) the landscaping fabric. I picked up the same stuff your guide recommends. Oddly enough, this didn't seem to impact flavor very much. My tomato loving relatives all raved about the taste regardless of whether it was garden grown or 'tainer grown.

My initial thought is that I cut the pieces too large. They were a little too big to lay flat, so they were kind of up the sides in places, especially the corners. The largest roots grew through by the sides of the filler tubes.

Do you have any suggestions so I can avoid this situation next year?

rnewste · November 11, 2012

Riceloft,

Even two layers of the Landscape Fabric will not prevent the most determined roots to penetrate down into the water reservoir. The goal is to prevent *most* of the roots from getting right down into the water, producing a hydroponic tasting tomato. Don't be concerned about a few of them from getting down there.

Glad to hear your in-ground grown and EarthTainer tomatoes all tasted equally well.

Raybo

November 11, 2012	#31
z_willus_d Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,313	Hi Ray, I just read through your thread (missed it last month), and I enjoyed all the commentary and pictures of course. You've really created a veritable (shall I say bona fide) vegetable farm there. I've got a 5'x10' raised bed at work that's root bound with the stubs of the summer/early-fall corn crop. Once I get past my DST laziness, I think I'll turn the bed over and plant some of those snap and sugar peas. The other one I have in mind are Fava beans. I do love Fava in a succotash -- just wish I had some fresh corn kernels to got with them. Happy harvest. -naysen

November 11, 2012	#32
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Hey Nayesn, I am looking forward to the Sugar Snap Peas as I've never grown them before. Will be interesting to compare the taste, etc. to the Oregon Giant Snow Peas. I've now planted 4 'Tainers of the Sugar Snap Peas along-side 14 'Tainers of the Snow Peas, so we should have a pretty decent supply of Peas to stir-fry with over the Winter. I'll be doing a more comprehensive photo update of the Fall EarthTainer "Farm" on Nov 15, so check the Threads on Thursday. Raybo

November 11, 2012	#33
Riceloft Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Parma, Ohio (6a) Posts: 299	Hey Ray, I just finished my end of season cleanup and noticed that roots in each of my 'tainers managed to grow around the sides of (and in one case THROUGH both layers!) the landscaping fabric. I picked up the same stuff your guide recommends. Oddly enough, this didn't seem to impact flavor very much. My tomato loving relatives all raved about the taste regardless of whether it was garden grown or 'tainer grown. My initial thought is that I cut the pieces too large. They were a little too big to lay flat, so they were kind of up the sides in places, especially the corners. The largest roots grew through by the sides of the filler tubes. Do you have any suggestions so I can avoid this situation next year?