what to do, what to do, advice sought!

10 years ago

Out of the compost that I made last summer and in the fall and spread on the garden, I got dozens (more than 80) of tomato plant volunteers popping up everywhere. All of them sprouted from tomatoes that I bought at the market and far out-stripped the cherry tomato plants I started from seed packet in terms of size and health and that sprouted at the same time. I composted most of them and transplanted just the very strongest. At least 16 of the 18 plants I now have growing are volunteers.

Currently 12 of the tomato plants (1 cherry, 11 mystery-but-big tomatoes) have fruit on them. Most of the plants sporting big tomatoes have 12 plus fruit on each moving toward ripening. Some of them are still flowering (though it is getting mighty hot and so fruit may not set), some are still getting taller, and some appear to have stopped growing up and out, while producing fruit. Can I assume that those that have stopped growing are determinants and that after I harvest the current fruit on them I should pull them up?

Based on last year, any of the indeterminants will probably produce their largest harvest in the fall (november/december) when temperatures get relatively reliably cool. I'm wondering if I should start some more cherry/other indeterminants from seed now to replace those that turn out to definitely be determinants to make sure we have enough tomatoes in the fall (July-mid-October the only option for fresh is to buy from the store as temperatures are so hot here). The cherry toms we started from seed last year did not produce well even at their peak (7 plants produced less than what most here report from a single plant).

Any advice, suggestions, moral support is much appreciated!!

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Comments (4)

sjetski
10 years ago
Opinions?

Since it's so easy to do, you may as well prepare for the worst. Plant a few of every variety seed you have, it'll increase your chance of a fall bumper crop. You can also stagger the plantings over the course of a few weeks. And if you enjoy eating them, then maybe throw in a late cucumber crop while you're at it.
Yaeli
Original Author
10 years ago
Sjetski, I will definitely follow your advice. I'll buy more tomato seeds tomorrow and get them started. Because we have such a long season here I'm hoping to still be planting new cucumber plants into September. Our big problems are space, really awful soil, and lack of water-- it is an apartment complex yard, few areas with full sun and the most prime gardening real estate reserved instead for setting up the sukkah in the fall. Each of the 12 families in the building go through a minimum of 8 large tomatoes and 15 cucumbers per day so as many as we can grow rather than buy is mana from heaven. They have to compete for space with the okra, peppers, aubergines, and herbs too, however.
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sjetski
10 years ago
Interesting and challenging setup.

Since you mention awful soil, and perhaps cost consciousness, you can always fill the garden plot with leaves at the end of the growing season. Grinding them up is preferable but not necessary. I mention leaves because they are free, often plentiful, and they do so much good for the soil. You can plow them under a month or two before the growing season, if you feel like it. The type of leaf to avoid is walnut because walnut trees contain a plant growth inhibitor.

If you live within driving distance of the ocean, try to fill a few bags with seaweed. It has just a little NPK, so it would be hard to overfertilize your plants with it, but it has lots of minerals that the soil needs. Just be sure to wash the salt off very very well (both wash and soak?). Afterwards you can apply it fresh, dried, aged.

Wishing you luck with your grow!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Leaf and soil food web discussion
Yaeli
Original Author
10 years ago
Sjetski,

Seaweed, I never thought of that! I live within a bus ride of the ocean. I think a beach adventure is in order and I've never heard of a better excuse to splurge on the fare to get to play in the waves and sun.