A Central Florida tomato story...
whgille
13 years ago
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whgille
13 years agodragonfly_wings
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Central Florida OGR lovers: Y'all ok?
Comments (5)We were spared the worst of it, but my Chicasaw plum trees (or as my husband calls them my prune trees) lost several limbs and they destroyed all the larkspur and other annuals under them. The wind and heavy rain managed to flatten almost everything else. Crepuscule was the most beautful its ever been, and the heavy rains beat the flowers off. Oh well, there's always next year. We needed the rain desperately....See MoreQuestion for Central Florida blueberry experts
Comments (22)TheTradition, Few things. The raised bed sounds great but you might want to put some 20 mule team borax around the outside perimeter or the termites will destroy your hard work. The purple bags are what you want. The term pine "fines" is a bit misleading but the purple bagged stuff is the right size. Don't fertilize. Even if fertilizing at planting was a good idea (which it isn't) we are too late in the year for fertilizer. Let the plants go until mid February to start the fertilizer. They will still grow some during the fall (roots). Fall is my favorite time to plant BB. The roots determine how much you should cut them back but it is a good idea to cut them back at least some. It is a judgement call but it will remove the flower buds so no fruit this spring but that is a very good thing. Take 25% off the bush and it will reward you. The water is a very tricky. BB need to be constantly moist.not soaking wet but moist. A good 4-6" layer of pine needles or ground up leaves will help keep them moist. It is best if you can use rain water. Our water in Florida is quite alkaline and has a high level of bicarbonates in it from our limerock aquifer. That water is bad for the bushes so you want to use as little water from the hose as possible. At first you are ok but as time goes by the bicarbonates build up in the soil and the PH will rise. So if you are not going to treat the water the best advice I can give is to only water when the plants need it but never let them get dry. Mulch is your best friend as it will allow you to water less....See MoreCentral Florida Fall Tomato Update
Comments (4)Hi Delta. When I planted them, a little growers mix, composted cow manure, Espoma fertilizer, and epsom salt went into the growing holes. They are mulched with grass clippings over newspaper and lightly side dressed with compost and an occasional dusting of Espoma fertilizer. Their growing area spent about five weeks prior to August under black plastic hoping for some control of the nematode population. They do seem to be kicking into some fruit set now. I occasionally have given them a light spray of an organic insecticide containing "spinosad" which is supposed to help with the leaf miners as well as some worms. Good luck with you plants. In gardening you never know how the season will go!...See MoreHeirloom tomatoes in central Florida
Comments (6)Hi Eileen, As to username...I don't think you can change them once chosen...though you could change your zone (which follows your username) to something like: eileen_nv Now In Central FLA Zone 9 As for the tomotoes...I have Cherokee Purples ripening now. Tiny Lemon Drops have been fruiting since November. Both are heirloom varieties. Actually, pretty much any tomato you want to grow in Florida will do well. And don't let the Month of the Year stop you. As with this year, we've only had frost 2 times...very lightly...so the growing season has not been interrupted. The only time I can't garden real well is July - September. Where are you in Central Fl?...See Morestar_stuff
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