An interesting way to grow Tomatoes

bwaynef · January 13, 2015

I haven't been around in a while, but I saw this article and thought I'd share it with you guys. I can see where a few problems might arise, but it still looks interesting.

http://www.realfarmacy.com/one-mans-...grow-tomatoes/

Cole_Robbie · January 13, 2015

The water in the bucket of compost would make a compost tea with every watering.

Barb_FL · January 13, 2015

Interesting; but I don't see how he could possibly fill the bucket once the plants were large.

taboule · January 13, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Interesting; but I don't see how he could possibly fill the bucket once the plants were large.

It can be done with a hose and wand. The bigger issue is with more than 1 or 2 plants, it gets very crowded.

peebee · January 14, 2015

Looks similar to an old technique where instead of putting those plants inside the cage, you plant them OUTSIDE a large cage so that you can tie up the tomato plants as they grow. So you only need one big, wide sturdy cage for 4 plants. You would put compost, manure, fertilizer, whatever you want in the middle, dug in of course. Thus eliminating the need for the bucket. I tried it many years ago and would like to try it again but I don't have that type of space anymore in my garden beds. They are now rectangular and my tomatoes are planted across. You need a circular type of space.

RickyD · January 14, 2015

2 years ago, I put 12 Goliath plants in 24" apart in 2 rows 24" apart (6x2). Then put a 8' Tee post at each of the 4 corners. Then wrapped large hole 36" high chicken wire at 1' and 5' off the ground around the whole bed.
Cage full of nice tomatoes, could reach in under or at 4' to pick easily. Grew great until we were out of town a few days and a neighbor came over to pick the tomatoes. They were covered in tomato horn worms. One was 8" long. I had total destruction to sneak up on me, I had built a great insect haven!

AdrianaG · July 23, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Interesting; but I don't see how he could possibly fill the bucket once the plants were large.

Especially since it says to add compost a couple of times a week. Once the cages fill in with foliage there is no way the compost can be replenished. I'm considering adapting the system by filling surplus 3 gallon grow bags with compost and placing them in the rows between my plants. Then I simply water the grow bags.

BigVanVader · July 23, 2015

Neat idea but not much different than adding manure/compost to regular beds and watering it in.

AdrianaG · July 23, 2015

I got a note back from James Ryan the originator of the concept and he has changed his approach somewhat. Here's what he said:
"after the plants start setting fruit you stop adding compost and just water 2x per week by inserting a garden hose... since I first posted this I have changed my cages to cattle panels and sandwich the plants between two panels which makes it easier to water and add compost... this method allows deep watering into the lower root zones which allow the plants to absorb the natural calcium already in the soil to prevent blossom end rot"

Delerium · July 23, 2015

That's a crappy example of the technique

Check out mine! There is no tomatoes in that linked article at least none that i can see

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....&postcount=586

Gardeneer · July 24, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Neat idea but not much different than adding manure/compost to regular beds and watering it in.

That is true in principle but in practice this is simpler : You just load some compost in the beginning. The trash can also acts like a retainer/support.
It is a fun type of growing tomato in a small scale. (~ 4 plants ). JMO

Gardeneer

Lindalana · July 26, 2015

Reminds me of keyhole garden concept.
I am planning to do something similar for my garden- simple is good.

January 13, 2015	#1
bwaynef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Clemson SC Posts: 143	An interesting way to grow Tomatoes I haven't been around in a while, but I saw this article and thought I'd share it with you guys. I can see where a few problems might arise, but it still looks interesting. http://www.realfarmacy.com/one-mans-...grow-tomatoes/

January 14, 2015	#6
RickyD Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: MS Posts: 39	Caging in 2 years ago, I put 12 Goliath plants in 24" apart in 2 rows 24" apart (6x2). Then put a 8' Tee post at each of the 4 corners. Then wrapped large hole 36" high chicken wire at 1' and 5' off the ground around the whole bed. Cage full of nice tomatoes, could reach in under or at 4' to pick easily. Grew great until we were out of town a few days and a neighbor came over to pick the tomatoes. They were covered in tomato horn worms. One was 8" long. I had total destruction to sneak up on me, I had built a great insect haven!

January 13, 2015	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	The water in the bucket of compost would make a compost tea with every watering.

January 13, 2015	#3
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	Interesting; but I don't see how he could possibly fill the bucket once the plants were large.

January 14, 2015	#5
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	Looks similar to an old technique where instead of putting those plants inside the cage, you plant them OUTSIDE a large cage so that you can tie up the tomato plants as they grow. So you only need one big, wide sturdy cage for 4 plants. You would put compost, manure, fertilizer, whatever you want in the middle, dug in of course. Thus eliminating the need for the bucket. I tried it many years ago and would like to try it again but I don't have that type of space anymore in my garden beds. They are now rectangular and my tomatoes are planted across. You need a circular type of space.

July 23, 2015	#8
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Neat idea but not much different than adding manure/compost to regular beds and watering it in.

July 23, 2015	#9
AdrianaG Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 153	I got a note back from James Ryan the originator of the concept and he has changed his approach somewhat. Here's what he said: "after the plants start setting fruit you stop adding compost and just water 2x per week by inserting a garden hose... since I first posted this I have changed my cages to cattle panels and sandwich the plants between two panels which makes it easier to water and add compost... this method allows deep watering into the lower root zones which allow the plants to absorb the natural calcium already in the soil to prevent blossom end rot"

July 23, 2015	#10
Delerium Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: California Posts: 942	That's a crappy example of the technique Check out mine! There is no tomatoes in that linked article at least none that i can see http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....&postcount=586

July 26, 2015	#12
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Reminds me of keyhole garden concept. I am planning to do something similar for my garden- simple is good.