Morning Momisd,

I can't help on your fertilizer question too much as people go with what their experience has taught them works for them. I use Fertilome tomato food but I think anyone would tell you that any quality fertilizer that contains micronutrients will work just fine.

Question 2...the lime. I used hydrated lime this year because that's what the farm co-op had. However, dolomitic lime will work fine also. Whatever the name (hydrated, dolomitic, "garden") it will work fine for your vegetables. If I had the choice, I would use the dolomitic. Here's why...from my experience with fertilizing my fish pond we use dolomitic, not hydrated, because the hydrated causes a drastic change in PH which results in a fish kill. The dolomitic does not drastically affect PH.

As far as the Epsom salts...here's why I use it. There is an older gent up in Kentucky who has a greenhouse operation where he grows tomatoes all year round. He had just retired from the Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture.I visited him in the dead of winter a few years back. He had beautiful 8' tall plants just loaded with beautiful tomatoes that tasted just like summertime, field grown and ripened tomatoes. I picked his brain and he said one of his secrets was the use of Epsom Salts for flavor. That was good enough for me. Someone else could probably tell you the technical reason but that's why I use it!

I think the most important thing with your trellis is that it's sturdy enough to support plants heavy with fruit and that it gives a convenient way to train your main stem vertically up the support. If I understand your question you want to put boxes on either side of your netting. Personally, I don't think that's a problem.

I'm sure others, including Raybo, will wade in with their expertise!!

cheers

Bing

Thanks Bing! Yes, I want to put a row of Tainers on each side of the netting, with the long edge of the box parallel to the net. The netting is attached to the very sturdy poles at top and sides. I may try to weight down the bottom edge for extra stability by tying it down somehow (one problem is I am doing this on a brick area with no dirt to sink a stake in!) Thanks so much for the lime advice. Do you (or others) mix it with the potting mix, or with the fertilizer that goes in the strip? Thanks again!

Hi Mom,

I just put mine in the fertilizer strip but to be honest, I just got lazy. I think the best way would be to mix the lime into the mix first before planting. Believe most would agree that's the way to go. As far as your trellis, why not just tie off your netting to the earthboxes as they will be all along the bottom of your netting. That will secure it at the bottom.

Hey Momsid,

Congrats on getting your 'Tainers built. As Bing said, use Dolomite Lime rather than hydrated Lime. The EarthBox Company's instruction video shows it being mixed in to the top 4" of the potting mix. I also did it this way. Look for a box like this at your Nursery:

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Regarding adding in Epsom Salts - - I would follow Bingster's advice. Just look at his photos!!!

The Tomato-tone contains additional micro-nutrients above and beyond the typical NPK elements. I bought mine over the internet at Totally Tomatoes. $6.00 flat rate shipping for all my 8 bags.

Have fun with the 'Tainers!!

Raybo

Bing & Raybo save the day, as usual. Thanks SO much to both of you. As payback I will post on my neophyte attempts when they are up & going.

Most excellent Mom...think you'll find that the boxes are a "no-brainer"...a great way to have beautiful crops!

cheers

Bing

OK, so here's what I already had bought--looks like it's the right thing:

http://www.espoma.com/content.aspx?type=p&intCategoryID=2&id=8

"The finest grade of pelletized, dolomitic limestone available. Adjusts soil pH so plants can get the most from nutrients present. Fine pellets spread easily, react quickly and do not pose the hazards associated with hydrated lime."

So I am OK to use this stuff (plus maybe some Epsom Salts, plus my Plant Tone fertilizer) despite the fact that EB instrux say:

"FOR TOMATOES AND VEGETABLES Most vegetables require a higher pH level than most potting mixes provide, and they love Calcium! To prevent blossom end rot, simply add 2 cups of dolomite or hydrated lime to the potting mix before each planting."

??

Thanks again for helping clear up the confusion! I do appreciate it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Espoma Garden Lime

Yep, you got the right stuff!!

Raybo