Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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May 9, 2017 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 272
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Looks great! double points for using stuff already on hand!
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May 10, 2017 | #17 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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I finally got the supports up in the main garden. This system is very adjustable to your needs - like when a plant wants to grow every way besides up. The T posts are 2' apart. I've tried them at 18" apart and for our plants - it wasn't far enough apart. We tried them at 30" apart - that didn't work well either. The wires are 12" apart. I'll let the pictures explain the rest
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May 10, 2017 | #18 |
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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The string methods I am using this year - One is a pole bean support that we built last year. I'm using the string to hold up the tomato plants.
I have a volunteer that came up in our onion bed. I tied strings to it to get it to grow on the nearby fence. It is growing intertwined on the fence. |
May 10, 2017 | #19 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Williamsburg VA Zone 7b
Posts: 1,110
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I used a good length for a "clothes line" to hand frost blankets, screens, etc so they dry out. It's been up for 3 years without much wear and tear. |
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May 10, 2017 | #20 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 6a - NE Tennessee
Posts: 4,538
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Dang, Robert. I wish my garden was looking that good. That looks superbly most excellent. I hope the harvest for you is as good as the effort you've put into the planting and support system.
Well done, Sir !!!
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Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch |
May 10, 2017 | #21 |
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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Thank you Ted for the wonderful compliment. I hope your garden exceeds what you hope for.
The tomato plants put on a lot growth in May and June here. The first picture in this thread was taken 3 days ago. The two tomato plants on the left side have grown at least 3 inches taller and are now two inches below the top line that is five and a half foot tall. The tomatoes are Sweetie Cherry. I started a thread the other day about Sweetie Cherry and how it looks like a multiflora even though it is not. I laughed about those plants seeing the new support system and the thread I started - they're living up to the attention |
May 10, 2017 | #22 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Delaware
Posts: 234
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I like your red boxes.
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May 10, 2017 | #23 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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Thank you. I found out here at Tomatoville that they are called keyhole gardens. Worth told me about them. I did some research and built them to the size of the 2 x 12s I already had. We have another one that is exactly like the one pictured, but it is 34' long and has three keyholes. It is used mostly for fall gardening because it is surrounded by tall oak trees. They get a lot more sun in June through November.
Here is a link for keyhole gardening. I hope it inspires others to make them. They are easy on the back to take care of, and they look good too. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...=1494467053385 |
May 10, 2017 | #24 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Delaware
Posts: 234
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May 10, 2017 | #25 |
BANNED FOR LIFE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13,333
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Our compost bin is 100 feet away, but the keyhole does have worms - red wigglers.
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May 11, 2017 | #26 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: North County, San Diego
Posts: 419
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Robert, I do something similar to your double row of posts. I also settled on 2 ft spacing after trying several different distances. Instead of string I use 1/2 inch metal electric conduit with a vertical spacing of about 14 inches. With the conduit I can lay 30 inch +/- wood strips across to help support the plants. Also I lay longer strips across the top for some shade.
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May 11, 2017 | #27 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Thought about the keyhole garden but will never build another bed without a bottom.
Worth |
May 11, 2017 | #28 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Burton, TX
Posts: 294
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I'm using mostly cable ties (zip ties, elec. ties, whatever you call them) to secure plants to the cages. A little more expensive but so easy to use. I get frustrated trying to tie knots in cord when I can't even see the cord. I can use these almost blindfolded--and they come in pretty colors.
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May 11, 2017 | #29 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I went most of my adult life without ever realizing that cable ties can be removed and re-used. Just pry the tab back inside of the tie that catches to hold it shut, and it will slide right off. Small ties are cheap and easier to just cut off, but the big ones can get a little pricey.
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May 11, 2017 | #30 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Santa Maria California
Posts: 1,014
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