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Tomato (and other harvest) Update
in my community garden
by Janice Stillman
![tomato circle [1]](/cms/images/image_2822.jpg)
![tomato circle [2]](/cms/images/image_2823.jpg)
I think I learned something last weekend about growing tomatoes.
A woman at the high school plant sale told me that tomato roots like warmth; they shouldn't be set deep in the soil. Then she picked up a six-pack of long, leggy tomato plants. She pointed at the "bumps" at the bottom of the stem. "Those are new roots," she said. "Instead of digging down, when you set this plant, dig horizontally. Lay the root ball and the stem in the horizontal 'hole' up to the first leaf. Pull that leaf off. Then cover the root ball and stem, including where the leaf was, with soil."
She advised planting the six tomatoes in a circle, with the root balls in the center and the plant stems forming the "spokes."
Have you heard of or had luck (good or bad) with this planting method?
I did it, and I have high hopes for lots of Romas to slow roast!
July 1: Romas are not very promising but the Brandywines may be the most productive ever, thanks in large part to a heap of Cock-a-Doodle fertilizer and the remains of the horse manure/wood chip pile. Now, if I can only keep the beetles away!
July 18: The plants are big and bushy (the best my tomatoes have every looked) but there are few flowers and no fruits.
Elsewhere in the garden, massive moths have been spotted. Some believe these are signs of pests to come.
July 25: After five days of rain, some of it torrential, the sky is finally clear and the sunshine is brilliant. Hopefully this will "push" the little yellow tomato flowers into becoming fat fruits.
August 14: Lots of fat green brandywine tomatoes on the vines, thanks to all of the rain we have had. I saw some poop from what I guess is a finger-size horn worm, but could not see the creature himself anywhere. I fear that any day, I will discover that he will snuck into the garden and took killer bites out of my tomatoes. Has anyone got any defenses? The Romas have been slower to develop but if all of the flowers become fruits, it will be a bountiful harvest?if I can keep the worm(s) away.
About woody radishes: I think they just grow too big to be tender. I let some of mine go to seed and many are now as big as potatoes, while the greens have sent up lovely white flowers.
The carrots are getting fat as baseball bats and the beets are becoming like baseballs. Ah, but those beet greens are delicious lightly steamed, then sauteed in butter and a few drops of lemon.
Picked two heads of half rotted, mushy green/white cabbage this past week and one good one. I never saw a pest on the plants, so perhaps the brown mushiness was caused by all the rain...? The one good head was delicious, too, as slaw.
Nearby, the cauliflower is coming along nicely and a second planting of greens (spinach and lettuces) should be ready soon.
August 20: Grasshoppers and beetles have devastated the bean crops. Absolutely wiped them out. It has never been so bad. The beautiful bed that held so much promise (and pods) is leafless and lifeless. Bean pods hang limply from fragile stems, the leaves, now peppered with holes, are decaying on the ground. A measly few of the cranberry bean pods actually matured enough to take on the lovely pink and creamy white color. I opened one pod and inside were five teeny beans with a fresh, healthy, almost polished mauve and white surface. In another, were four stone-like beige beans. Such complete elimination is astounding. (I will take a picture before I rip out the remains.)
Meanwhile, the tomatoes, Brandywines and Romas, are thriving. I have removed two nasty horn worms so far, and only yesterday, stripped off most of the plants' leaves in hopes that the big green beauties will turn red; warm days are forecast.
The Brussels sprouts are starting to form nicely on the stalks of most of the plants. The second set of beets are coming along nicely (last night I mistook beets for spinach and picked off lost of leaves; oh, well, they'll eat, too).
August 25: The pests that destroyed the bean crop are Mexican bean beetles! According to a local source, every gardener in our plots would have to refrain from growing beans for three years, if we have any hope of getting rid of these bugs.
Reader Comments
Comment from Debra Weaver on June 4, 2008
I've heard of planting tomatoes that way but I've never tried it. Please be sure to let us know how it worked. :)
Comment from terry reese on June 5, 2008
I have been gardening for a lot of years Never heard of it , But I will try it.
Comment from Doral Hemm on June 8, 2008
I planted my tomatoes, root ball and stem horizontal, for several years and always had bumper crops.That was in light sandy soil.
Comment from larry stout on June 10, 2008
i tried that for several years and never noticed any difference
Comment from larry stout on June 10, 2008
i slow roast roma tomatoes with garlic, then blend them and put them in freexor bags and use for tomatoe sauce.
Comment from Charlie Linn on June 17, 2008
I have tried the horizontal method...usually because my plants had become very leggy. This method really produced well with cherry-type 'maters, and I had the most beautiful "hedge" you've ever seen!!!
Comment from B K on June 21, 2008
I've been doing this for years and it works very well. I take all the leaves off except for the top 3 or 4. Dig a ditch or trench and lay the plant in up to these leaves. They stay out of the ground. Roots grow all the way up the stem. You will be amazed when you dig the plant in the fall. I haven't heard of the circle method though. But I have some left to plant so I'll try it. Also if you plant your suckers they will grow quite readily and produce too.
Comment from bernie follweiter on July 1, 2008
I am wonfering how to prune my tomato plants? I have a lot of leaves and very little flowers, it is the ist of july.
Comment from Marilyn Kircus on July 1, 2008
I'm not sure where you are gardening. I used to prune the suckers off the tomatoes to make them make tomatoes early when I lived in zones 7 and upper 8. Now I've been living in zones 9 and lower 8 and I don't prune at all to get as many leaves as possible to prevent sun scald.
And I've always bought the leggiest tomatoes I could find, removed all the leaves but a few at the top and planted them in a trench. This is also a good way to plant impatiens in hot places as well. The plant can get a lot more roots quickly this way and it helps them in the stress of hot and dry gardening.
Another tip that I haven't proven - pick a sucker and root it. The 2nd and 3rd generation tomatoe plant will make more fruit than the parent plant. We can plant tomatoes in the spring and fall here. The trick is to actually keep the tomato plants alive in high 90-100 + heat until it is time to start more plants.
Comment from Mal Tackett on July 5, 2008
I have used the trench method plus dig a hole intermittently for years. I mostly trench the leggy ones, but actually I can't say I have noticed any difference. One thing I do is take the powdered Miracle Gro and mix a liquid I tbsp per gal of water and use that for planting my tomatoes and all other garden plants. I rarely ever lose a plant and most get an early start to being healthy. As they grow, I apply a 1/2 tbsp around the root area approx every 2 weeks. I have some huge plants and whopper tomatoes this way and find it easier to administer this way than mixing it by the gallon. I harvested several bushels of tomatoes off 12 plants last year. I'm trying a new tomato plant this year ( I only got one from a friend), It's called "big Zack" and is supposed to grow tomatoes up to 6 pounds. This I gotta see to believe. My Ox Hearts are supposed to get to 3 pounds, so maybe I'll be yelling for help and a big wheel barrow to harvest them this year.
Comment from Charlene Ramel on July 14, 2008
Not sure what zone we are in right off hand but we are in eastern TN. My tomato plants are bearing fruit [grape tomatoes and Big Boys] but the fruit is not ripening. It's been several years since I put a garden. Tomatoes have always done well where I've planted them. Lately we have had more rain than usual [I believe we are at 1"+ to date] and because of trees that have grown since my last garden, the tomatoes are not getting full sun. Is there anything aside from cutting down my neighbor's [and landlord's] trees that will help? We could trim the trees but the offending limb is pretty high. I'm thinking of making a "sort-of" green house and stretching clear plastic sheets on poles over that part of the garden. It would not be enclosed. I'm wondering if that would enhance the benefits of what sun they do get. I'd say the plants get at least 4 hours of sun. Any help or ideas would be appreciated! Charlene
Comment from Casey Musser on July 14, 2008
Because we rent I do all of my tomatos (and peppers, sunflowers and cucumbers) in 5 gallon buckets and plant the tomato plants very shallow (exposing a little of the roots) and I have some now that are 6 feet tall and covered in tomaotes!!!!...You do have to "feed" them like this because there is no good stuff in the bucket once it eats it all, but everywhere I have ever lived it has worked.
Comment from Tanya Wolstenholme on July 15, 2008
I tried planting horizontally this year after reading about it in Square Foot Gardening. Since I live in Zone 4b, I need to do whatever I can to keep the roots warm early in the season. So far so good - all 5 heirloom types I planted this year seem to be going strong.
Comment from Monika Reed on July 15, 2008
Never tried planting tomatoes in the horizontal position. Had heard about someone planting tomatoes upside down hanging through a large drainhole in a container hanging from underneath a deck. Tried it...didn't work for me at all....poor thing died. But having a good crop of brandywine tomatoes in my garden planted the usual way... down here in Louisiana in zone 8. Last year I had an awful problem with aphids on my tomato-plants; remember picking them off by hand & smushing them every morning, till none were found. No such problem this year, but got 2 tomato hornworms killed.
Comment from Monika Reed on July 15, 2008
By the way: Thanks for the great tip on rooting tomato suckers!!! Wished I'd known about it sooner...could have grown me a little 2nd crop in the shade for fall planting!!!! Any one with good success in zone 8 & lower growing English Peas??? Try some every spring, but most like don't plant those early enough, by end of June they are history down here in the South!!!!
Comment from georgia ferrante on July 16, 2008
Yes, I have tried horizontal planting and it works great. Thanks for the tip about the suckers. Good luck.. I have tried growing an artichoke for the first time this year and to my great supprise, I've got artichokes. Glory be!
Comment from sher boyer on July 29, 2008
hey to all,
i have heard of "ants in my pants" but never in the mailbox. will keep the good advice just in case i ever need it. maybe for my britches!!!!!!!!!!!
have a great day everyone.
Comment from Thelma Macintyre on July 30, 2008
We've had g00d success with tomatoes every year....just planted them always-upright. Does anyone know why radishes get woody , please? Have fun gardening , everyone!
Comment from Linda Manning on July 31, 2008
I've heard that green tomatoes can be wrapped in newspaper then placed in the coldest part of your basement for long term storage. When you're ready for one, take it out and let it ripen in the window.
Does anyone know if this really works? Do they taste the same as they did in August?
Thanks!
Comment from sandra rymal on August 13, 2008
I've used the horizontal planting this year. it works really well. when your plants are spent,(or spindly) you can take the limbs, plants and bury them, thus starting a new plant. You can just bend them over, removing the leaves on the stems planted. I do add miracle grow granules and a good handful of compost to give them a good start. The hanging basket didn't work for me either. Took the basket and planted the stem (basket sitting beside it) horizontally and it re-rooted. you don't have to go buy new plants or re-seed and wait for new plants to peek out. It's been used for years by farmers. I think, that the green tomatoes will depend on how green they were when you pick them. They will certainly turn red...but... the centers may still be green. Some of mine were picked green (3 - 5 gal. buckets), to use in recipes calling for green tomatoes. Some turned red before I could get to them. When you cut them open,, the centers are green and hard. still useabble in cooled recipes but probably not real good to just eat. Haven't heard about the newspaper. Probably wouldn't hurt to check out "root cellaring" tomatoes.
Comment from Nancy Givens on August 14, 2008
I live in Middle Tennessee and I have always picked all my green tomatoes when we are going to have a frost and cold weather for more than a few days. I pick all the tomatoes even the marble size. I sometimes make green tomato pickles with the real small ones and I have also kept even the marble size to ripen later. I have had wonderful summer smelling and tasting ripe tomatoes up until April. I have not had a problem with them being any different from the summer tomatoes except sometimes they are a little more watery but they still taste good and I am a tomato lover. I wash all the tomatoes in dish soap and water and rinse well and then wash them with vinegar and water. I then let them dry. I use the plastic trays you can get for free at the grocery store during the year that the peaches, plums, necterines, and other vegetables come packed in. I seperate them by size and also by how ripe they are and they MUST BE STORED WITH THE STEM UP JUST LIKE THEY GROW ON THE VINE. This works every time. You need to keep them where they will not freeze or get below 60* F. When I go to eat lunch at work I have people say I can't believe you have ripe tomatoes and they smell so good. You will need to check your tomatoes often to use the ripe ones and also to remove those that are spoiling. The individual pockets of the plastic trays keep the others from all spoiling, if you keep an eye on them. I have served tomatoes every Thanksgiving and Christmas and sometimes I have enough to serve at Easter at family gatherings. I love TOMATOES and can eat them at evey meal and every snack.
Comment from Linda Manning on August 21, 2008
Nancy, that's encouraging news! Thanks so much!
Comment from ruth bruce on August 24, 2008
comment from Ruth bruce on aug 28 i have so many tomatoes i dont know what to do with them can any one tell me some receipts for caning them and using them this is my firt year for canning thanks
Comment from Dennis Barber on August 31, 2008
we always quartedred our tomatoes, run them through a blender and pour them into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil, stirring them often. when they start to boil, put on a small pan of water bringing it to a boil and putting in jar flats two or three at a time. when the tomato juice starts boiling, pack them into jars, boiling hot, wipe the top of jar dry and putting the flat out of the boiling hot water and put on ring tightening it tight, wrapping them all together with a large towl to hold in heat. when they cool the flats should be sealed if you can pop them up and down they didnt seal but if you fill the jars to the top of the neck leaving a small space they should a seal. i've never had a problem with them not sealing.
Comment from Gary Stephens on September 7, 2008
This is the 3rd year that I haven't had any luck growing tomatoes. I'm in Okla near Tulsa and I'm sure the weather here has had a lot to do with it, but still I should be able to get a tomato or 2 out of them.. This year I tried some different plants, off the net. They were called "tree tomatoes", I guess meaning that they had more of a woody stalk that others. After I planted them, the temp here got fairly cool and that slowed the growth. Then we had a hail storm come through and knocked all the leaves off the 7 inch tall plants, so I wrote them off. Lo and behold, though, they grew more leaves and started getting taller. They went through the hot spell in dormancy and didn't do anything. When it started cooling off, they started blooming. Now they are 5ft tall, full of blooms, but no tomatoes so far. I guess I will keep going to my local reliable fruit stand and keep buying them, I give up. (Yes, I have them in big containers with very good fertilized soil and have been watered regularly through the growing time.) PS, I tried the upside down planters last year, what a joke. I don't think the plants like to be upside down, even though they grew fairly tall.
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