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Growing Tomatoes

The EarthTainer 'Farm' Photo Update - May 19 (pics)

13 years ago

About 3 weeks since my last update. Cold and (un)typically rainy for N. California this time of year. Anyway, the "Farm" continues to make progress:

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Paul Robeson is now 65 inches tall with prolific flowering:

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Danko is my lead fruitset producer with more than 10 now visible:

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Bloody Butcher has multiple fruitset:

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With even Japanese Black Trifele getting into the act:

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The Fertilizer trials are showing early differences in plant growth, but too early to weigh in on which brand is the winner. Identical Goose Creek with Brand "A" in the 'Tainer on the left, and Brand "B" in the right 'Tainer:

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Again, Brand "B" Goose Creek in the 'Tainer on the left, and Brand "C" fertilizer in the 'Tainer on the right:

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I think it is apparent that Brand "C" is taking the lead in plant growth and vigor.

The Bell Peppers that I over-wintered and cut back a few weeks ago are re-growing nicely, and I think I will do the same again next Season, as they are showing blossoms already in mid-May:

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My NuMex Heritage 6-4 Peppers are now starting to flower:

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Corn is growing more than one inch per day, even with this crummy weather:

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Starts every 2 weeks should keep me in sweetcorn from mid-July on through the Fall:

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So, in spite of the poor weather, life is good down on the "Farm":

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Raybo

Comments (6)

moms_helper_2008
13 years ago
Great job Raybo. Simply outstanding!
sprtsguy76
13 years ago
Looking good Ray! Can we have a warm spell here already?! Dont look now but we might get a little more rain next week! How about that Danko, it really fires out the fruit early and often. I dont remember if I asked you this before but, did you pull out and replant those over wintered peppers or leave them in the same mix and tainer?

Damon
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The EarthTainer 'Farm' Photo Update - May 19 (pics)
Q
Comments (9)
Al, I am growing cucumbers in the EarthTainer for the first time ever, and so far, they seem to like the environment. earthworm, Since I mix 2 Cups of 14-14-14 CRF in with the Dolomite Lime about 6 inches deep for the Pepper and CornTainers, it made sense to simply transfer the over-wintered Peppers, and put them in a new 'Tainer after the Lime and fertilization process was done. They really looked terrible in February, but I just cut all of the leaves off but 2, and trimmed the stems to about a 6 inch height. This is what they looked like on April 18: One Month later loaded with foliage and blossoms: Our temperatures here rarely get below freezing, however in December we had 3 straight nights of temps in the low 20s - - but the Pepper's root system survived. I am definitely going to follow this procedure next Season too, as they really have a jump-start vs. the Peppers I started from seed on January 1. Raybo
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The EarthTainer 'Farm' Photo Update - April 28
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Raybo: I'm ok. Could use a hot tub soak! lol. Regarding my plants, tomatoes have undergone a good bit of stress as of late with the roller coaster weather, but all of them survived fine. They just got a bit ugly. I need to watch out for blight. I probably have a dozen or so tomatoes already growing, some of them only 2-3 weeks away from being ripe & picked. =) I'm a bit worried about my peppers though. They're in my cold frame, but with all this cloudy & rainy weather, they've stayed at about 1-2 inches tall for I swear the last few weeks. I'd take them indoors & put them back under the lights, but my wife would kill me! She's already demanding I clean up my "plant room" so she can have it back...lol. - Steve
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bdank, Funny, I was just thinking this afternoon if I should revise the EarthTainer instruction guide to now recommend 3 cups of organic fertilizer, as the NPK numbers of the "New" Tomato-tone are significantly lower than the "Old" Tomato-tone. I am holding off on the hope that the new Microbes "may" offset the lowered NPK analysis. Here is a photo today of the Goose Creek pair, and the New Tomato-tone has caught up to the plant with the Old Tomato-tone: Stay Tuned!! Raybo
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Q
Comments (8)
Ray, I used mineral oil right where the silks meet the corn to try and avoid earworm problems that folks mention. I tried to do this once I felt pollination had occured. I have no idea at this point how well pollination went or if the mineral oil helped at all. The 25th will be 20 days from the point the first silks appeared so I am keeping a close eye on them. I did notice that the cob is peeking out on most and I am not sure if that is good or bad. Just have to wait and see, but I am hopefull that things are ok because I cant wait to bite into a buttered ear of sweet corn for the first time in my garden. Some success would definitely make me want to do it again. Duane
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star_stuff
13 years ago
So jealous! Look how lush and green everything is! And a ton of blossoms!
rnewste
Original Author
13 years ago
Damon,

As I mix 2 Cups of 14-14-14 CRF in with the Dolomite Lime about 6 inches deep for the Pepper and CornTainers, it made sense to simply pull the over-wintered Peppers, and put them in a new 'Tainer after the Lime and fertilization process was done. They really looked terrible in February, but I just cut all of the leaves off but 2, and trimmed the stem to about a 6 inch height. This is what they looked like on April 18:

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Today, one Month later foliage and buds all over the plants:

{{gwi:33437}}

Your Paul Robesons, JBT, Druzba, Early Girl, GRS, and BW-S are all doing great. While you and I may not be happy with the recent weather, the plants are apparently liking it. No disease or bugs to deal with - yet.

Raybo
kdc95014
13 years ago
Very impressive garden! I am thinking about growing Danko next year. How is the taste compared to other early varieties (ie. Early Girl)?
Thanks,
Karen
rnewste
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Karen,

This is my first year growing Danko, so I can't comment on taste. Maybe Damon can give you his opinion. Candidly, I am growing Early Girl as well and Danko is far outproducing it in terms of number of tomatoes as of today.

Raybo

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