I got carried away with seedlings again this year. I think we have about 80 tomatoes and nearly 10 tomatillos. Problem is, our garden didn’t miraculously grow over the winter so we’re faced with the puzzle again of where to put it all. Granted it’s a good problem to have but I know I’ll be giving some of the seedlings away.
We struggle with blight and other issues so each year I had new things to try to help keep the plants healthy. And because we do things organically it’s important we find solutions that fit into that. We’ve used copper powder for the blight. We’ve learned to keep the leaves and plants dry while watering the soil and keeping up with pruning any shoots that start to yellow.
After reading about what minerals the tomatoes needed we added egg shells last year for the calcium. We noticed an improvement so for the past couple of months I’ve been saving the shells.
Our seedlings got a bit leggy as I started them too soon. I always forget and do that but hopefully I will remember next year. The jungle gets a bit much!
This year we are adding Epsom salt. This will give the tomatoes magnesium. Gardener swear by it for tomatoes, peppers, and roses. Various articles state that research doesn’t bear this out but I figured it won’t hurt to try. To plant I dug a deep hole and added crushed eggshells, about a tablespoon of Epsom salt, and some organic tomato food. Mix with the soil then fill the hole with water.
Gently separate the roots and place in the water.
Fill back in with soil, add the cage, and water again. Repeat!
I cannot wait for fried green tomatoes, fresh caprese salad, and homemade sauce!
PS this is my first post on my iPad so feedback on how it shows on your screen will be welcome.
I wish you a successful tomato growing season.
Thank you. 😊.
Most of us travel to the grocery store and feel good when we chose organic, believing that it will always be there for us to purchase. We (and I include myself) have no idea how much knowledge, preparation, and experimenting it takes to produce nutritious food. Vancouver is promoting gardening throughout the city to encourage people to grow their own food. We even have a bylaw that permits having chickens in the back yard. I love coming to your blog – we all need to become involved.
Fortunately you don’t need a ton of space to grow good food. Once you gain a bit of knowledge it is quite easy as well. I love the direction Vancouver is taking, unlike Michigan where they just banned a law for backyard farms in cities and towns. Big Ag is winning in the US and that is sad.
P.S. The post via iPad looks great! 🙂
Oh good, wasn’t sure about the pics. They were looking small on my end.
I like that planting method…I’m going to pass it onto to my daughter for her tomato plants.
I wish her luck! Nothing like homegrown tomatoes.
So good to know about the egg shells! Thanks!!!
Such an easy trick. 😊
This is my first year renting a house instead of an apartment, and I’m delighted that I can have a garden this year! Thank you for all your tomato tips–I will definitely use them when I plant my veggies in a few weeks.
Have fun with it! Don’t get discouraged if things go pear shaped here and there. Happens. Plants can get cranky too!