Tomato Growing Thread 2012

My neighbours aren't exactly the gardening type might have a friend nearby though..do I need specifically tomato feed, or will any be ok?

 

Yes you need Tomato fertilizer, but anything high in Potash will do. The packet will have an N:P:K ratio on it, you want something where the "K" number is about twice the other two - so 1:1:2 or 2:2:4. Doesn't have to be exactly that ratio, or even particaulrly close to it, but the last "K" figure needs to be somewhere near twice the other two.

Your friend may have some "high potash" fertilizer rather than a specific Tomato fertilizer.

Make a note, from the packet, of how much water you need to mix it with and then just water each Tomato plant like you normally do, or a bit more generously than normal. Best you write something on the container you put it in - just in case someone mistakes it for something good to eat!
wrt the N:P:K numbers: the first N number will make plants grow leaf, so is great for, say, Cabbages!!, but not for plants that are flowering & fruiting; its the last "K" number that helps with Flower and Fruit on plants, so you can put it on any Containers/Hanging baskets of flowering plants that you may have.

When you get to the shops buy a brand-X Tomato feed, you don't need to buy a posh brand like Tomorite as they work out quite expensive.

 

Toms are coming on nicely thank you.

 

Very lush Robert

 

Hiya Robert.

They look VERY healthy!

 

Been very lucky after last years total wipeout. Hot a sign of any nasties anywhere. Just look at those healthy leaves..theres one tom there with a bit of a nose on it. But, hey it will taste the same in a sandwich.

 

BTW Robert, what are they?

 

Are they Gardeners Delight Capney ?

 

See, I'm pretty amazed at this as mine are as tasty as ever! Maybe not as productive, but tasty as ever... weird eh?

 

Mastkota eaten today, quite tangy, but really I am not into cherry/minature tomatoes, I like standard size ones

Only two more to actually give me something, the Aisla Craig which are slight orange and the Money makers still green

All planted same time
First Totem
Second Supersweet
Third Tigerella
Fourth Shirley
Fifth Gardeners Delight
Sixth Maskotka
Seventh Aisla Craig
Eighth Money Maker

Tasty, first Tigerella close second Shirley and Gardeners Delight

Jack McHammocklashing

 

Are you marking them down for being late Jack?

Hadn't thought of that before. Even though I think that MMaker and ACraig have poor taste, if they are slower to start cropping as well that's a double whammy!

I read somewhere that Tomatoes have no taste until air reacts with the "contents", and thus cutting a Tomato and making a sandwich some hours before you eat it can enhance the flavour. May be hogwash of course ...

 

Don't know where I got it from but I understand that the taste and smell of a tomato is enhanced by not storing it in the refridgerator. They are best left in a dish on the side. I have found it to be true too.

 

Mmmm i love them straight out of the GH....Nice and warm

I can't wait that long Kristen...i'm greedy when it comes to home grown tommies