Hi,

Pots need the most attention as far as fertilizer and watering are concerned. I know some folks will disagree with me, but I use a water-soluble fertilizer/plant food that can be applied anytime without disturbing anything. Miracle-Gro and Peters are both good (I use Peters but sometimes itÂs hard to get). Miracle-Gro offers a special formula for tomatoes, but IÂve never tried it.

I use what I call the "constant feed" method, where I make a very weak solution of water and fertilizer (one scant teaspoon for a two-gallon watering can, which I fill to the top so itÂs a little more than two gallons) and apply it every day. You can even use as little as ½ teaspoon for two gallons. However, depending on how many plants you have and how much time you have, you may need to use a stronger solution, but apply it only every week or two. You can also purchase a sprayer that attaches to the end of your hose and automatically mixes the water and fertilizer.

I donÂt know what you have already used, so you may wish to use a very weak solution for your in-ground plants. However, the pots become depleted of nutrients very quickly.

I have never had a problem with the plants being burned by the fertilizer or suffering from Nitrogen overload (all foliage but no fruit, or BERÂblossom end rot), but I am very careful measuring and I never let the garden get dried out. During the hot weather, I add additional plain water to the pots, sometimes several times a day. The results are dramatic and my garden looks like one of those fertilizer ads, with lush green plants and tons of fruit on the tomatoes. The last Brandywine I had grew over the roof of my garage (over 12 feet tall and I wasnÂt prepared for it, so staking it became a real problem and I had to use a ladder to pick the fruit) and it produced huge clusters of tomatoes. People that visit me are amazed when they see my garden.

Good luck with your garden, whatever you decide to do! Genie

Hi again!

I just wanted to add something. It seems most folks on this forum are into organic gardening and the suggestions in my previous post do not fit into that category. I donÂt know if you use the organic approach or not, so I may not have been helpful.

I would love to attempt organic gardening but most of my time is hardly my own and I know organic gardening takes much more time and effort. I am far from being retired and I have my own business selling on eBay, help manage my husbandÂs business, take care of my autistic grandson (a lovely child despite his disability), and also care for my 85 year-old mother (but sheÂs a "peach" and a delight to be around). Life is very hectic around here!

If I did not use chemical fertilizer, I would not be able to have a garden at all. Another one of my limitations is the lack of a place to keep compost. My husband is very "finicky" about the yard and IÂm sure he would not approve of something "rotting" anywhere. I have very little garden space (my back yard is way smaller than my front yard and it is too difficult for me to care for a garden in the front). Actually, I really donÂt have a garden but I plant my veggies and herbs in my flower beds, and a few in potsÂwhen I run out of room altogether.

However, I feel the results of the fertilizer keep my plants so healthy (it seems that healthy plants are not good candidates for insect attacks) that I have never had a need for an insecticide, and I wouldnÂt use one even if there was a problem. The only exception was one year, when I did have a problem with tomato hornworms (hope they donÂt come back, they are the "grossest" things) and I dealt with it the best that I could without resorting to using poisonous chemicals.

I just wanted to elaborate so that you wouldnÂt think that IÂm opposed to organic gardening if, in fact, that is your approach. Not at all, but I might just be the tiniest bit jealous that I canÂt do it! :-)

Again, good luck with your garden and have a wonderful, productive growing season! Genie

Thanks for the info Genie, and yes I'm an organic dude (or as much as I can be ;)