Advice for healthy tomato plants? A-Z

[linzelu100]

I am looking for a post about growing healthy tomato plants, but I haven't found one. Do you know of any?

I would like to alter the way I raise my tomato plants. I believe I have a lot of room for improvement. I am looking for advice on a tried and true method for starting seed, when to transplant up, best height to transplant into garden and how to keep foliage diseases away, also increase yields.

Currently, I start seeds in compost potting soil and I have heard soil-less medium is superior, but I have never found anything like that for sale. Do I make it myself? I transplant once I see true leaves into 16 oz plastic cups (no drainage holes) and transplant again when they become huge and unruly, then into the garden when my frost date has passed. I give tomato plants 2 X 2 feet and use metal circular cages to keep them upright. I use Neptune's harvest seaweed/fish emulsion about 3 times during the season.

I feel I have a lot of room for improving my growing abilities. I grow a lot of delish tomatoes, but only because I have so many plants. My yields are usually around 10 lbs per plant, dramatically less for some. I would like to improve. Can you point me in the right direction. I have books on the subject, but there is so much conflicting info; I would also like to do things without wasting money on tools/accessories I can do with out.

Thank you so much.

Lindsey

[habitat_gardener]

It sounds like your main question is about increasing production. I think you'll get more responses if you start a new thread on how to increase production.

For seed starting, see the "Sticky" threads listed at the beginning of the Starting from Seed forum. Especially look at Craig's dense planting method -- that should answer all your questions about how to start and pot up.

Also look at the stickies in the pests/diseases and gardening green forums.

The reason there's so much conflicting info is that tomatoes are so easy to grow that every person has an opinion on the best method. It sounds like what you've been doing is successful.

[bughunter99]

Some varieties produce more than others.
What varieties are you growing?

What is it that make you think you are doing something wrong? Are you losing plants to disease or pests?

Soiless medium is not superior to other seed starting mixes. It is just preferred by some. We all have our favorites. If your current mix is giving you healthy seedlings, I would not change it.

I transplant up when the plant is about four inches tall.

I use soil temperature to determine when my plants go in the garden. It must be 50 degrees. I never plant all the plants out at once. I zone push. Some plants go out when the soil hits 50 even if it is weeks before my last frost date. Others go out later to keep some in reserve in case we get a freak storm or something.

I garden organically and do not ever spray. For foliage disease prevention, I put down black landscaping fabric and then cover it with cocoa bean mulch (warning poison to dogs). Then I only bottom water. I also work very hard to have extremely healthy live soil. The theory being the healthier the soil, the healthier the plants and the more disease resistant they are. I also never compost my tomato plants, even if they appear disease free.

For higher yields I select plants known for them (and for good taste). I interplant with plants like borage to attract pollinators. I help pollination along by flicking blossoms. I inspect plants daily to catch issues early. I pick fruit before it is red, when it just starts pinking up and let it finish ripening on the counter in the house. My biggest losses used to come when the fruit got attacked when it was on the vine and red.

Stacy

[linzelu100]

Originally Posted by habitat_gardener

For seed starting, see the "Sticky" threads listed at the beginning of the Starting from Seed forum. Especially look at Craig's dense planting method -- that should answer all your questions about how to start and pot up.

Thank you. I'd like to read this but cannot find it online.

Lindsey

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by linzelu100

Thank you. I'd like to read this but cannot find it online.

Lindsey

Lindsey, it's called the Starting from Seed forum which is down aways below this General Discussion Forum.

Carolyn

[TightenUp]

Originally Posted by linzelu100

Currently, I start seeds in compost potting soil and I have heard soil-less medium is superior, but I have never found anything like that for sale. Do I make it myself? I transplant once I see true leaves into 16 oz plastic cups (no drainage holes) and transplant again when they become huge and unruly, then into the garden when my frost date has passed.

do you have issues with your seedlings in compost? same goes for the containers with no holes?

if they become huge and unruly like you say, as long as they are healthy looking keep doing what you're doing.

what i do - use a soiless mix. i've used jiffy and miracle grow brands in the past but tried fox farms light warrior this year. i start seeds in small cells and pot up into any containers i have lying around. i make sure they all have holes in the bottom so excess water can drain out. i only pot up once before planting outside.

as for when to plant out
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=27657

[ddsack]

I have books on the subject, but there is so much conflicting info;

The reason there is conflicting information, is that many methods work, and there is no one correct way to grow tomatoes in all regions. We all deal with different issues of heat, cold, humidity, diseases and pests, season length, soil structure, availability of amendments, and how much time we can spend working in the garden. There is no way you could have one generic post which would accurately solve everyone's problems. If there were, we could just close up the message board and tell everyone to read that post. There has been lots of good information posted here in the last 7 years, and you can expect to find some of it to be conflicting as well. Which means there really isn't a right or wrong, just what works for that person.

So like habitat_gardener said, sounds like you are already doing fine on the basics of tomato growing, and are mainly interested in increasing production on your plants. So getting a soil test and reading up on soil improvement and fertilizers would be something to pay special attention to. You could scan through back postings in the Growing in Containers, and the Soil Building 101 Forums here as a starter. And getting to know local successful tomato gardeners if possible, and finding out what works for them, in your specific locality.

And keep reading and participating here of course.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by linzelu100

Thank you. I'd like to read this but cannot find it online.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=437&page=22

[b54red]

I can tell you a few tips that have helped me over many years of growing tomatoes in a very challenging location.

1. Pick varieties that do well in your area. Talk to some good local gardeners and get advice from several.
2. Don't crowd the plants too close together.
3. Prune to a limited number of stems to encourage better air flow and thus plants that have less disease problems.
4. Start a regular spraying regime with Daconil as a preventative for foliar diseases. It is hard for a plant to produce much if it is sick all the time.
5. Build up your soil with the addition of organic matter and get a soil test to see what is lacking in your soil.
6. Grow a few of the more disease resistant hybrids like Big Beef for insurance in case some of the heirlooms don't do well for you.
7. Build a support system adequate for the tomatoes you are growing. The little 3 foot cages sold at most garden suppliers will not support a large indeterminate tomato plant.
8. Most importantly keep reading the postings on Tomatoville. I have learned a great deal from this site and have found some of the best varieties of tomatoes that I had never heard of 5 years ago. Sure there will be some conflicting advice and many different opinions and theories; but reading all the different takes on gardening can be a big help in formulating your own way of growing tomatoes. Another great plus of this site is being able to post pictures of your tomato problems and getting some advice from other gardeners that may have had the same problem in the past and found a way to beat it.

Good luck.
Bill