My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)

14 years ago

Well, here we are on November 1, and it hit 80 degrees here in N. California today. My second planting of the season is doing petty well. The Brandywine and N.A.R.X. are now 7 ft. tall and loaded with tomatoes:

As expected in my combo-mix trials, the plants in plain Miracle-Gro are "leggy" with the lower branches dying off earlier than I would like:

So far, the Cherokee Purple is loving a ratio of 3:2:1 Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines, and Perlite. Not a dead branch from bottom to top! Too soon to declare this the winning mix-combo, but so far, it is looking quite promising.

Carmello planted on August 8 in a 2:2:1:1 ratio of Sta-Green, Cactus Mix, Turface, and Perlite is also looking fine:

The tomatoes are starting to blush, so just about 90 days from plant-out should be about right:

Indian Stripe in a 5:1:1 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Turface, and Perlite is also doing well:

The Goose Creek I planted in Pro-Mix BX on Sept 11 are developing well:

I have another 6 Champion plants in various ratios of Sta-Green, Bark Fines, and Perlite put in on August 22, so we'll see which ratio turns out best in a few months:

The Yolo Wonder Peppers are now about 45 inches high and are quite productive:

I am trialing various combo-mixes on the Peppers as well. Here a 3:2:2 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines and Perlite on the left 2 plants, and the same ratio of Miracle-Gro, Redwood Compost, and Perlite on the right. Notice any difference?

Here are 2 Corn-Tainers with the one on the left a 4:1:1 ratio of Miracle-Gro, Cactus Mix, and Perlite. The one on the right a same ratio but with Miracle-Gro, Bark Fines, and Perlite. Conclusion: trash the Cactus Mix:

I'll post an update in about 30 days and hopefully, we will have lots of tomatoes for the neighborhood with their Thanksgiving dinner.

Raybo

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

sandra_n_calif
14 years ago
Raybo, thanks for posting these great photos and offering info on your experiments with soil. I would love to have some tomato plants like yours. I live in a condo with a deck with sun until about 3pm. Is that enough sunlight to grow tomatoes? Maybe next year I could have a plant or two.
rnewste
Original Author
14 years ago
sandra,

Yep, if you have sun until 3:00pm, you are good to go!!

What part of N. California are you in? If you are inland a bit like I am in San Jose, you can easily get 2 crops in per year. In fact, I am using 7 of the EarthTainers to get a third crop of Snow Peas over our (mild) Winter here.

Raybo
Related Discussions
The EarthTainer 'Farm' Update - July 4 (pics)
Q
Comments (12)
Thank you both for your insights. In the drought run we've been on for the last couple weeks I have held back watering and the 2nd plant in the container all the way to the right is actually starting to 'come back' and some new tomatoes are forming on the flower buds. The first plant on the right in the front actually had a really low sucker and it has also sprung to life looking very normal. Not sure what to make of this, but the soil in that ET is very wet (inexplicably). I've not added water to it in a week now. I did cut off the dead stuff and tossed it in the trash instead of compost. If it is diseased I don't want it around. Raybo.. some of the bark I used was very new. Some wood pieces were mixed in and they did have a sappy kind of feel. I picked them out as I was sifting. Bummer... sounds like I goofed. My neighbor gave the mulch to me as they decided to go with stones out front and not the bark. I think instead of cramming the extra 5 gallon earthtainers all the way to the left (in the pic, some out of frame) I need to instead spread the 5 tainers apart further and make sure the ETs are perfectly level. It'll let more air in and minimize another potential cause of problems if they are spread out more. farkee, it's a semi old mix. I used the soil last year, but it has been amended with more perlite and pine bark fines. The seeds I used in these Earthtainers were exclusively from Raybo and as you can see how fantastic his plants are, it's very unlikely he gave me a disease on my seeds. I had yellowing last year too, but the moisture of the soil mix was thought to be responsible. I can't justify paying $40 in testing for the small number of plants in my tiny back yard, but thanks for the suggestion. I'd be better off supporting local farmers at the farmer's market with my $40 and buying their tomatoes. I did hedge my bets by also growing tomatoes in the ground in case something happened. I put them wherever I could find a spot. Here's two of them: From 070710
...See More
The EarthTainer 'Farm' - June 1 (pics) - - Topping Plants Already
Q
Comments (11)
mangled, I have found that the EarthTainer extends the Season for me - both in the early Spring, as well as the late December crop. For reference, here is a photo taken on June 19 several years ago of plant status: Contrast that with the photos in my first post. The grow media in the EarthTainers warms up much earlier in the Spring as compared to the raised bed, so I am harvesting tomatoes now 4 to 6 weeks earlier in the Season. Also, the consistent water and fertilizer feeding in the 'Tainers helps the plants achieve constant growth. The Paul Robesons have grown 63 inches in the past 70 days. Corn is growing more than an inch a day. Likewise, later in the Fall I am able to grow crops like Snow Peas as the Sun's warmth on the sides of the 'Tainers keep soil temperatures higher than would be in the ground: I am also observing less soil borne disease and bug infestations vs. what I had experienced in the raised bed. Maybe the bugs just haven't figured out how to climb the sidewalls of the 'Tainers yet, but to date, I have yet had to pull a single weed. I am also saving a lot of water on my Bill as there is virtually no run-off (nor feeding weeds) as was the case in the raised bed. There are downsides, to be sure. Getting the right grow media combo mix has been an ongoing "science experiment" as straight Potting Mix keeps the plant's roots too wet in a self-watering container application, and the tomatoes can have a watered-down "hydroponic" taste. So this is an ongoing trial and error "tweak" to fine tune the 3:2:1 Combo Mix of Potting Mix, Decorative Groundcover Bark, and Perlite. My goal is to starve the plants with just enough moisture so they start to wilt on really hot days, but then recover overnight. As the Vineyard owners in Napa do with their grape crops in the Summer, this restriction of moisture provides the sweetest fruit. So it is with tomatoes as well. Balancing out the Combo Mix ratios and ingredients is what I am now working on this Season. Stay tuned..... Raybo
...See More
Fall Tomato Garden Update in N. California - Oct 23 (pics)
Q
Comments (4)
I tried a few different types of fertilizers in the containers, but I also gave them a weakly-weekly dose of Foliage Pro (and some Pro TekT) in the reservoirs, and I think that had a great impact. I wasn't focusing too much on fertilizer, this year was more about mix, varieties, and wick configuration. I still have to look at my records to figure out what worked best as far as wick and mix configurations with the 18 gallon SWCs, but we had an abnormally hot and dry season so it'll be tough to sort out what works best in a more average year. My prototype SWCs with valves worked fine, but it was so hot I've yet to shut off the reservoirs. It may well be that a proper mix and wick setup negates any benefit to reservoir shutoff, but I need more cool temps to draw a final conclusion. I had some really good results with my bucket SWCs using rayon mop wicks. I think the design is a real winner for peppers, eggplant, and smaller sized tomatoes (cherry and saladette size. I'm working on a detailed set of instructions. My cucurbits didn't do well at all this year, either in ground or in SWCs (most locals I talked to had a bad cucurbit year). I grew some Cukes in SWC buckets and found that once established, they needed at least twice as many wicks as the tomatoes. I lost most plants to wilt from cucumber beetles. My current thinking is that they may do better in straight potting mix, and I'll also need to test a few different wick setups. One practice I think makes a big difference in SWC gardening is to top water until the plants are well established, then add the fertilizer and mulch cover before adding water to the reservoir. Here's some of my bucket SWCs from the end of July: One thing I'm certain of; No matter what the setup is, 40 tomato plants is way too many (for me). Next year, far fewer tomatoes and a lot more other stuff.
...See More
My Tomato Patch in N. California on Dec 5 - (pics)
Q
Comments (20)
started to see color on 2 different plants today - yeah - the temps are back into 70's so maybe getting somemore soon - when these plants are done then maybe try wintersowing ?? if I knew how to add pics on this sight I could show my plants like Raybo does - I am a mainframe computer programmer so I should be able to figure the pic thing out - just not yet
...See More
donna_h
14 years ago
Thanks for the update. Your plants look great...lots of lush growth, nicely formed and sized fruit...they are obviously VERY healthy!

Do you think the MiracleGro plants are doing better because of the starter "food" that is added? And isn't MiracleGro Potting mix just peat moss and perlite? (I haven't used it so I'm not sure.)

Good job. Can't wait for the next update!

Donna H.
rnewste
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi Donna,

Miracle-Gro only contains trace amounts of fertilizer, so I don't think it makes any significant contribution.

Miracle-Gro does not list the specific ingredients, but Pro-Mix BX is made of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. you can make your own mix, if you like, and I may experiment with that next season.

Raybo
Patches
14 years ago
Hello Donna, Thanks for your photos and post with list of your various soil ingredients! This is really helpful for me since this was the first year I did container gardening. I was pleasantly surprised at the results. I also used Miracle Gro since I had some on hand. It was not designated as specifically for vegetables but I think my results were pretty good. Last week finished disposing of the plants and today I did some "tidying up" to prepare for the winter. Ugh. Now I'm trying to figure out how to group the pots and a couple of chairs, etc. for over-winter storage under a tarp?? so the balcony doesn't look too ugly. To think of TWO plantings? I surely do wish I had your wonderful climate.
Patches
14 years ago
Here's a photo of my first efforts with growing tomatoes on my balcony taken August 26 of this year.
Patches
14 years ago
I don't have much space so next year I might trying the hanging baskets which I have heard about.
Patches
14 years ago
Guess I shouldn't have tried to post this late at night. Once more
Patches
14 years ago
Hopefully this one takes.
jim4366
14 years ago
Raybo, your experiments are so very interesting. Thanks
donna_h
14 years ago
Hi Ray,

I usually make my own with peat and perlite. My last batch of indoor plants had a mix of peat, perlite and vermiculite (no composted pine bark since the fines are too stinky for indoor growing.) Based on your trials, I will most likely adjust my ratios when filling my boxes next season.

Thank you for your clarification on the added fertilizer in MG. Now that the plants have been in a while, what is your feeding schedule and what have you been using? I'm asking since your plants look SO amazingly healthy, they MUST be getting good doses of food.

(Can you tell I'm taking notes.....?)

Donna H.
donna_h
14 years ago
I just found the ingredients for MG Premium Potting Mix posted at Amazon:

"Superior blend of composted bark, sphagnum peat moss and perlite, enriched with Miracle-Gro plant food, feeds instantly..."

The bark definitely seems to be the key here.

Donna H.
Patches
14 years ago
At least I THINK I am having just tested it out in the Test Forum ... {{gwi:54893}}
tn_veggie_gardner
14 years ago
Still lookin good, Raybo! =) I yanked the last of my dead mater plants last weekend...still almost trying to produce cherry tomatoes, but outdone by the freeze.
engineeredgarden
14 years ago
Raybo - I have an update, as well. I have broccoli planted in swc's constructed from cat litter buckets, and have a soil moisture level of 3-4. The growing medium is nothing but Miracle Gro Potting Mix, and only the wicking basket characteristics were addressed. This level would probably be ideal for tomatoes, in my opinion. What's your thoughts? What kind of level are you looking for?

EG
rnewste
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey EG, how are you doing?

What specific moisture meter are you using in getting a reading of 3-4? Regarding just using Miracle-Gro potting mix alone, I have found it is too "good" in wicking, and that is why I am running about 30 different combinations of potting mix, Turface, Cactus Mix, Bark Fines, Redwood Compost, and Perlite. To date, the 3:2:1 ratio of potting mix, bark fines, Perlite seems to be doing the best in the EarthTainers.

I'll have to validate this with several 'Tainer grows of this ratio in the Spring planting - - but I will NEVER use plain potting mix in the 'Tainers again.

Raybo
engineeredgarden
14 years ago
Raybo, I am doing well. I am using the same moisture meter as you have previously shown in your photos. If you'll remember, I was gonna experiment with the reduction of water allowed to enter the mix, as you experiment with various mixes. I'll grow a tomato plant with this setup when spring arrives, and hopefully have more data to provide.

I've never grown in the MG potting mix, and wanted to give it a try. I have no problems at all with it, but I have REALLY altered the wicking basket to an unbelievable level.
Have you set your sights on an acceptable moisture level reading?

EG
azruss
14 years ago
EG--How have you altered the wicking basket? (I don't have time, desire or energy to mix my own planting media.)
engineeredgarden
14 years ago
azruss - by only allowing the water to enter the mix through a very tiny area (one that you wouldn't believe would even work) I have discovered the perfect sized orifice for a 4 gallon swc, and the earthtainer's wicking basket characteristics in revision 1.3 will be addressed next spring. I will use the original 9" pond basket - as I already have them in place from last year's grow cycle. I already have an idea on how much reduction will be needed for it, but a trial will give hard evidence. Bottom line - there's more than one way to skin a cat.

EG

My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)

Comments (19)

sandra_n_calif

rnewste
Original Author

Related Discussions

donna_h

rnewste
Original Author

Patches

Patches

Patches

Patches

Patches

jim4366

donna_h

donna_h

Patches

tn_veggie_gardner

engineeredgarden

rnewste
Original Author

engineeredgarden

azruss

engineeredgarden

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

My Tomato Patch November 1 and Combo-Mix Update (pics)

Comments (19)

rnewsteOriginal Author

Related Discussions

rnewsteOriginal Author

rnewsteOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rnewste
Original Author

rnewste
Original Author

rnewste
Original Author