jimster - This is only my first time using blocks, so I'm not the best one to give advice. But so far they seem to be holding together. Like Dave says, your mix shouldn't have large chunks. I tested pro mix mixed with compost, and those blocks held together really well. But I wanted a coir based mix, so I mixed my own. That mix uses about 1/2 coir, 1/4 perlite and 1/4 compost, plus a small mixture of amendments. Those blocks aren't as solid as the pro mix/compost blocks. But so far they're doing ok. I messed up with my seed germination, but I'm keeping some of 'em so I can experiment with the blocks. I'm going to start over on the 12th when the moon's in a better place:) I added a link to an ebook on soil blocks. Here is a link that might be useful: link to ebook on soil blocks

Tear them off as much as you can. I often find them mostly intact at the end of the season and they constrict the root system. You may have less problems in your warmer location but all the same I'd get rid of the pot, except where the root is poking through.

Here's photos I hope. Here is a link that might be useful: stem and whole plant

Not sure what else to "clean". I spent a lot of time weeding continuously - everything you see in there is pure tomato. As a new garden, The only mulch I had available to use was cardboard. I installed a trellis before planting, but didn't relalize the plants were growing along the ground and rooting down. The plants were quite compact until recently, so there wasn't really much to weave into the frame upwards anyways before. Now they're starting to get some length, but the stems are putting roots in the ground and getting brittle if I try to force them up through the frame, I've already broken several branches with lots of tomatoes on them and they're garbage now. There isn't that much dead foliage in there – most of what you see is still healthy and it has flowers and fruit on it. The only pruning I can really do is to hack off perfectly good vines with green tomatoes and try to thin it out. Is that a good answer here? Haven't got into sprays or chemicals of any kind yet. I asked previously about diluted dish soap in a spray bottle because I've use that combination with great success last year on peppers and assorted fruit trees to get rid of pests big and small. I would rinse it off immediately with freshwater, and I didn't worry about getting poisoned in the produce or something. Never tried it on tomatoes.