Hi Teeka, Five months is GREAT, be happy! That's about as good as it gets. Did you see my post about the extra cherries I've started? I have twelve extras, a co-worker wants three and Brenda (Junglegal) is coming by Friday afternoon for a few but that would still leave at least two or three if you'd like to give them a try. I could give them all to Brenda and perhaps you can make arrangements to get a few from her.... Denise did well last summer with the Dr. Carolyn and Black Cherry. Tom

I live in an area that has very different growing conditions than you. However, we do have some summers when it gets hot and dry for an extended period of time. When this has occurred Early Girl handled it just fine whereas other varieties struggled. I've grown at least one or two Early Girl plants every year for upwards of 20 years. During that time I have never had a problem with cracking, splitting, or BER. In my growing area EG tastes pretty good for such an early variety. However, people in other regions have reported that EG wasn't very tasty. I grow varieties that taste better than EG, but they aren't as early or productive. As far as keeping out pests, it depends on the pest. Generally speaking the best way to keep out pests is to use fencing, but a lot of people don't consider that to be an option. As far as insects I hand pick or use insecticidal soap. If the insecticidal soap doesn't work I use more drastic and less environmentally friendly measures (daconil, seven, malathion etc). Good luck. Randy

Sounds as if your planter is over crowded and it definitely isn't getting enough sun - 6 hours minimum of good direct sun for tomatoes. As to water, I'd say it isn't getting enough. All those plants are competing for the 1 gallon of water and that isn't enough for a 20 gallon container. It is best to water it deeply and thoroughly LESS often (till water runs out of the base of the planter) rather than in little bits of water daily. Shallow daily waterings promote shallow surface roots and that's where your yellowing leaves are coming from. If it is really hot you may still have to water daily but water till it comes out the bottom. And mulch the soil well around the plants to help retain moisture. All those plants in there are also competing for nutrients and it needs feeding. I'd remove the herbs as they won't like the amount of fertilizer the tomato plant needs but it's up to you. Liquid fertilizer of your choice used at 1/2 strength of the label directions once a week works good for container plants. Lastly, check the bottoms of all your existing fruit for blossom end rot - common in a stressed plant - and if any have it pitch them so the plant won't be wasting energy it needs to recover trying to ripen them. Hope this helps. Good luck! ;) Dave

Not an infection. Instead, it's a water shortage during development. So, no, not all tomatoes on that plant will be affected as long as the water status of the soil is suitable -- evenly moist is the key. When you cut the affected tomatoes, you will discover if the damage is only skin deep or not. At that time, trim off the bad stuff and eat the rest. Enjoy!