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Growing Tomatoes

should I move this volunteer tomato?

dragonfly_field

9 years ago

This cute little thing popped up in my flowers. This was obviously a veggie garden before we moved here. It looks really happy but I'm wondering if I should dig it out and put it in a pot because it's squished right in between marigolds and the boarder of the garden. I have never grown tomatoes and i know nothing about caring for them so could use any advice I can get! Thanks in advance!

Also I have tons of tomato seedlings popping up. I can't possibly keep them and don't have money to amend soil and start another garden otherwise I'd move my flowers and just let these grow here.

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Comments (9)

dragonfly_field
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry it's sideways
labradors_gw
9 years ago
You could leave it where it is. I don't think the Marigolds will compete with it for nutrients, and it will be happier left in the ground.

Linda
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i understood you will be at moms on either day ... i was joking about holiday time ... you refill the hole WITH NATIVE SOIL ... you get it from somewhere else on the property ... besides... this time of year.. with the plants dormant.. there is no reason not to bare root them.. and leave all the soil there ... wrap them like a burrito in some newspaper... wet.. and wrap in a plastic grocery bag ... just to keep the wet paper from making a mess in the car.. the plant above is NOT wrapped in plastic ... should last at least a few days as such ... plant when you get home ... no need to pot them ... simply plant them ... the seeds got near the foundation.. from a bird sitting on the gutter or roof edge.. finishing the digestive process ... wink wink.. if you know what i mean ... lol ... if the trees in your area are changing color... then you can basically presume.. all plants are dormant or nearly so ... expect any leaves to fall off soon after moving ... you have been warned.. do whatever pleases you ... thats how i learned.. when 10 years later.. i cursed moving a ROS for the billion seedlings popping up everywhere.. only took me 5 years to kill them all ... ken
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Thanks for the scan, Trudi. They look very similar, but I can't tell for sure. We got a hair over 2" of rain last night, so not much other than weeding to do today in the garden. It's supposed to cool off tomorrow, after more potential rain. I think I'll leave one in the bin, the one on the right, and train it up and over. If it's 'Black Cherry' it'll go over, and clear to the ground, easily. Once it's over the bin top, it'll get at least 6 hours of sun. I think I'll move the other one to a vacant 24" pot. It's dark brown, and will be a nice warm location, which I can move to give it all the sun it could need. I still have ~35 good-sized seedlings in large plant bands to get into pots, or the ground. Unless the plague hits, I won't be short of Toms.
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Its going to be way to late in the year for young tomato plants to do anything for you. Save the room for winter crops. As for the transition to winter. It helps if you have alot of room. Then you have space to start your next seasons crops. Or you can try planting in between other things that are almost done. For instance planting tomatoes in spring in between brocoli plants. Or lettuce in fall in between peppers.
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plaidbird
9 years ago
When the photo is sideways, readers can click on the picture and it opens in a new window, right side up. I think ? this happens when they are uploaded from phones and such.

Cute little tomato. I agree, it looks very happy there. I would probably put my mid size step ladder, that's currently in the wings awaiting it moment, next to it and let it climb up and towards the sun. Thus keeping it up off the ground and out of harms way by passersby. But any sort of improvised 'ladder' will do.

Good luck with the little fellow. :D
sharonrossy
9 years ago
I would keep the plant where it is. Just feed it on a regular basis with an all purpose fertilizer if you can, and it will need some support as it grows, a tomato cage or stakes. You can just let them grow and see what you get!
scottsmith
9 years ago
I would leave it.

Anything you get is a bonus.
ddsack
9 years ago
I agree with leaving it, it's roots will grow deeper than the marigolds can, so it should be okay. From the leaf form, my guess is that it's some kind of cherry. Let us know how it does, and what kind of tomatoes you get. What a fun surprise in your new garden spot.
kathy9norcal
9 years ago
I had a couple growing in my flower bed and put one in a large pot. It took almost no time for it to be 5 feet tall. It is a cherry from last year but I don't know if it will be yellow, orange, or black cherry. I will know in a week or so. Fun to be surprised.
michelliot
9 years ago
They ARE fun. I have at least a dozen volunteers growing all around my back yard. In the past, I used to discard any split toms by just chucking them over my shoulder. Had a couple pop up last year but this season they're sprouting all over the place. Most seem to be cherry or grape tomatoes. My prolific sweet 100 cherry tomato plant is currenty experiencing a fungal issue. I'll do what i can, but knowing that I will be overwhelmed with cherries later in the season, I'm not too too concerned.

We'll see what develops.
dragonfly_field
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry I'm so late in responding! Thank you everyone for the advice! I have left it there and need to find support for it. It's huge already and is making lil tomatoes. I will let ya know what they turn out like. Now I have tomato plants popping up all over the place one in my petunia bed and I last counted over 100 seedlings coming up under my sunflowers. A friend is coming to take some most will need to be pulled. Half way wish I hadn't planted anything there now haha. Another is coming up across the yard by a fence in a random spot. So funny! And yes such a fun surprise!

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