I use 16" unglazed clay pots for some of my plants and they work really well. I don't know the equivalent in gallons, but the plants seem quite happy in them, even larger indeterminates. The plants almost always grow larger than expected, and it's nice to have the extra weight of the clay for stability. Do keep a watchful eye on them in hot weather, since the soil dries out a bit more quickly than in plastic. MA

Ralph, in years past I would have had tons to swap. I grew for a friends church plant sale in addition to my friends and family. But this year I cut back to just friends and family and myself. It was just too much work to grow that many (and the promised help never seemed to materialize) so I am making my life easier this year! I used Al's 5-1-1 recipe for potting soil in the past. Last year I was in a crunch for time so I used Miracle Gro (not moisture control) on Craig's recommendation. He uses that in his containers. I had an outstanding year for tomatoes!!! It might also have been I found a great liquid fertilizer other than MG? Or it could have been the great summer we had? But I won't argue with success! I will have to look at the Carolina Gardening Forum. Won't be able to make the swap this year. I'm in Greensboro, and have a new Grandson so not so much time on my hands.

Not sure that I would use bark mix in containers (and I would assume that you'd have to water more frequently). For my money, I find that bark is great for use in the garden as it does lighten up the soil, but it needs some time to break down to provide nutrients. I LOVE "Pro Mix for Vegetables" which is organic and available in Canada. I don't know if they have quite the same thing in the US, but regular Pro Mix doesn't have any nutrients and doesn't work very well for me, even when I remember to fertilize my plants! Linda

Hi NC, Today's (8-22-2017) update: Counted over 20 fruits set so far, from pea size to egg size -- setting a lot more fruit now, than before. Probably because it's mid-Summer, and thus setting faster than in the cooler Spring. Many dozens of blossoms that look ready to set lots more. Removed a couple of brown leaf branches --- no disease that I could see, just old age (planted 3-27, so it's been outside for nearly 150 days now). Tony ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- p.s. comparing the super healthy Lime Green Salad to the highly disease resistant Margo VFFT Hybrid behind it (which is dying from Septoria). Margo --- big producer of nearly tasteless perfectly round red tomatoes --- I'll be pulling it out in a few days.