Classic Gardens and Landscape (AL) Tomato Program - Has anyone heard of this?

Lavendulafleur · December 30, 2009

Wondering if anyone has heard of this, taken the class and/or used it? Is it a gimmick?

Tomato Program

One must take their class and only people who can walk into their store can purchase the program. Hmm.

I found it surfing the Net and some newbie gardener was raving about it here.

This was my first foray into vegetable gardening. Growing tomatoes this year in the Los Angeles area wasn't a total loss. I had wonderful flavor in the few fruits that matured and lots of lovely green plants. I know, I know. Too much nitrogen. But we also got the June Gloom and then blistering hot July/August heat. So tons of blossom drop and the dreaded BER.

I'm really enjoying reading and learning here!

Thanks!
Gigi

Wi-sunflower · December 31, 2009

I hadn't heard of that site or his method but took a look.

Frankly it does look rather gimicky to me. The fact that he won't take mail orders for his "secret" part of the formula is just to create a demand by making it scarce. At least that's my opinion of it.

If you look at any of Ray's threads about his tomatoes in his home made grow boxes - earthtainers you also see beautiful lush plants with great yields. There is a sticky at the top of the DIY workbench forum. I don't know if that includes the latest version or not.

Here is one of Ray's posts with pics http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=12818

I know there are a lot more threads but that was the first I found. Ray hasn't posted lately so I think he's on his trip to Hawaii about now. But between Ray and others that have used various versions of the earthtainer, you should get some good advice without the gimicky hype.

Carol

Blueaussi · December 31, 2009

Anything that has to be kept secret probably isn't secret at all. It's probably a generic tomato friendly NPK mixed with some of the essential micronutrients. Might be a manure mix, might be something synthetic, but I doubt it's unique, and I'm sure you could get results just as good with any of a hundred fertilizers already on the market.

ddsack · December 31, 2009

I can't comment on the program, but the picture on the website sure has an interesting looking cage contraption wrapped around the pot. Wish I could see it without the leaves.

bigbubbacain · December 31, 2009

Growing tomatoes doesn't require "smoke and mirrors" or the attendance of special seminars.

Gigi, hope you keep coming back. There's plenty of FREE information here about growing in containers, especially what Ray has to offer. Personally, I can't comment because I grow in a raised bed. I noticed in the Classic Gardens photos that it seems they like to grow a lot of Bonnie Plants, which is fine and well because most of Bonnie's stock are disease resistant hybrids. This method might be a little precarious for certain heirlooms, especially in an area where foliage diseases are prevalent.

December 30, 2009	#1
Lavendulafleur Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 10	Classic Gardens and Landscape (AL) Tomato Program - Has anyone heard of this? Wondering if anyone has heard of this, taken the class and/or used it? Is it a gimmick? Tomato Program One must take their class and only people who can walk into their store can purchase the program. Hmm. I found it surfing the Net and some newbie gardener was raving about it here. This was my first foray into vegetable gardening. Growing tomatoes this year in the Los Angeles area wasn't a total loss. I had wonderful flavor in the few fruits that matured and lots of lovely green plants. I know, I know. Too much nitrogen. But we also got the June Gloom and then blistering hot July/August heat. So tons of blossom drop and the dreaded BER. I'm really enjoying reading and learning here! Thanks! Gigi

December 31, 2009	#4
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	I can't comment on the program, but the picture on the website sure has an interesting looking cage contraption wrapped around the pot. Wish I could see it without the leaves. __________________ Dee **************

December 31, 2009	#2
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I hadn't heard of that site or his method but took a look. Frankly it does look rather gimicky to me. The fact that he won't take mail orders for his "secret" part of the formula is just to create a demand by making it scarce. At least that's my opinion of it. If you look at any of Ray's threads about his tomatoes in his home made grow boxes - earthtainers you also see beautiful lush plants with great yields. There is a sticky at the top of the DIY workbench forum. I don't know if that includes the latest version or not. Here is one of Ray's posts with pics http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=12818 I know there are a lot more threads but that was the first I found. Ray hasn't posted lately so I think he's on his trip to Hawaii about now. But between Ray and others that have used various versions of the earthtainer, you should get some good advice without the gimicky hype. Carol

December 31, 2009	#3
Blueaussi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Zone 8a Posts: 1,205	Anything that has to be kept secret probably isn't secret at all. It's probably a generic tomato friendly NPK mixed with some of the essential micronutrients. Might be a manure mix, might be something synthetic, but I doubt it's unique, and I'm sure you could get results just as good with any of a hundred fertilizers already on the market.

December 31, 2009	#5
bigbubbacain Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zone 9 Texas, Fort Bend County Posts: 436	Growing tomatoes doesn't require "smoke and mirrors" or the attendance of special seminars. Gigi, hope you keep coming back. There's plenty of FREE information here about growing in containers, especially what Ray has to offer. Personally, I can't comment because I grow in a raised bed. I noticed in the Classic Gardens photos that it seems they like to grow a lot of Bonnie Plants, which is fine and well because most of Bonnie's stock are disease resistant hybrids. This method might be a little precarious for certain heirlooms, especially in an area where foliage diseases are prevalent.