{{gwi:35806}}

{{gwi:35808}}

The second rain barrel leaked at the spigot any way, so this should make better use of the water. It was near empty, so I didn't get a chance to see if it wicks all the way to the last stop in the hose. Rain's coming so it should fill back up soon. Going on vacation for 8 days, sure hope this works! I provided a low spot at the very end of the hose, and had to do some leveling where there was a high spot in the middle.
{{gwi:35810}}

Because straw is such a high % of cellulose, the likelihood of N immobilization is considerable. I'm thinking you'll need to provide N in amounts much larger than if you were growing in a media that broke down at a slower rate - more blood meal or an alternate source of readily available N. I'm guessing N immobilization probably accounts for the light green color of the plants.

Al

Thanks for the reply Al,

They are way behind the toms being grown in raised beds. Do you think the organic will be alright? I can give them extra doses of urine, it's gotta go somewhere.

I've already pretty much decided to do away w/the bales next year and put a bed along the length of the fence.

Al wrote: ''Because straw is such a high % of cellulose, the likelihood of N immobilization is considerable. I'm thinking you'll need to provide N in amounts much larger than if you were growing in a media that broke down at a slower rate - more blood meal or an alternate source of readily available N. I'm guessing N immobilization probably accounts for the light green color of the plants.''

I guess that's probably the reason the guides say to soak in ammonium nitrate 10 days before planting and again w/ 10-10-10 during the week before.

Well I didn't do that, and didn't read it till later. I did work coffee grounds into the bale a few times over the winter. Put 'em on top and worked in w/ a hand shovel. I also worked in compost before planting. At planting time I worked in richearth composted shale and biotone starter. I've fertilized w/ cockadoodle doo once. I think it was like 4-3-3 or so. I've also done the foliar feed and soil drench w/ AVCT/BIM(s) that also included liquid rich earth, and weak kelp/fish emulsion, several times.

I have (new) tomato tone and will apply it in the next week b4 leaving for vac. Not only are the plants behind the raised beds in size, but like you pointed out light green foliage. I'll try some extra N for a while and see what happens. I've got a Mrs Burns Lemon basil in the bale @ a ' tall. One in the raised bed is 2' tall already.

Seing your plant in container inspire me that I can also do my container gardening because I also have a not so big backyard for gardening.