Tomato Problem Solver

[Annette99]

I still have at least 8 to 10 weeks before our last frost, I'm jealous you are so close to putting out tomatos.. Thinking of relocating to Tennessee that would put me at least 1 zone above what I'm in maybe 2.

 

[Dor]

Dor, did you use regular potting soil? Most of the time, that stuff doesn't drain well enough. When you plant new ones, try adding a good amount of Perlite and peat moss to your soil mix, or as an alternative, plant the seeds in a soil-less mix altogether. This is awfully late for us to be starting seeds though, since by next week, most places will have their plants outside already.

I used sterile potting mix for my seeds. My last frost date is March 31 and I red on my county extension to start them 6 weeks before the last frost date and I did. I planted determinate and inderterminate so I would have some throughout the season. I will be starting some more today.

 

[Randy]

I am right on time for getting my seeds started here. We won't be frost-free for sure until about 10 more weeks down the road.

 

[richnkim]

Hi everyone!! I bought some tomato plants and planted them about 4 weeks ago. I have been covering them at night. It still gets a little cold for them. I uncover them during the day and they seem to be doing alright. The trouble that I am having is keeping the ground moist. Mine are boxes that we built. We have to sit them on top of the ground. We rent. They are 2 1/2' x 5' x 18". The trouble seems to be when we water the water runs out the bottom edges. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can put along the edges to help keep that water in? Kim

 

[Randy]

Kim, you might look into setting up a small drip system that meters the water out slowly and would thus give it time to soak in. Another thing my brother over in San Jose (Los Gatos) does is bury a pipe vertically next to his plants. Plastic pop bottles would work for that too. Punch a few holes in them with an ice pick so they will drain slowly around the root system. Pop bottles would be much less costly and more trouble free than a drip system also.

 

[richnkim]

Kim, you might look into setting up a small drip system that meters the water out slowly and would thus give it time to soak in. Another thing my brother over in San Jose (Los Gatos) does is bury a pipe vertically next to his plants. Plastic pop bottles would work for that too. Punch a few holes in them with an ice pick so they will drain slowly around the root system. Pop bottles would be much less costly and more trouble free than a drip system also.

Hey Randy, I did see something on that yesterday. I have one bottle in and I am getting more in today!!! Thanks for the tip. I will let you know how it works. Kim