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AJC.com > Gardening > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘Mater matters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been CRAVING a fresh-tomato sandwich, which makes me want to run out and plant bunches of them. But every year, I fight the same enemies that many of you do — early blight, blossom end rot, wilt. What’s your secret to growing the perfect tomato? We’re sharing a few from gardening guru Walter Reeves and Daryl Pulis, a Master Gardener in Cumming, in our Living section April 19, and we’d like to hear yours as well. And while you’re at it, tell us which varieties you find do best in Georgia. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it all!!
Comments
By BurtDawg
April 18, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
My Mom and her Mom were always saying to call a “MC” to announce your plants to the farm. M for mulch and C for compost. I have followed this for both in-ground and pots and it works!
Good luck and bring on summer.
By Lee
April 19, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
What is the best type fertilizer for tomatoes? Also, could you give a step-by-step method of planting for the best success? Thanks.
By Val
April 20, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this
Where can I find the heirloom tomato plants (Stupice and Arkansas Traveler) Daryl Pulis refers to in the AJC article?
By Danny Flanders
April 24, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Dear BurtDawg You’ll find Stupice at Hume Seeds (humseeds.com) and Arkansas Traveler at Growquest (growquest.com or 877-738-3644). Good luck and let me know how they do!
By Danny Flanders
April 24, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Hi Lee Good old basic 10-10-10 at planting is best for fertilizing tomatoes. For a step-by-step, return to the home and garden page and follow the link under “more gardening.” — Danny
By Pam
April 25, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
FYI- For those yet to read this blog, The Hume Seed Company url is actually www.hum”e”seeds.com.
By Daryl
April 28, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Val, I have some Stupice plants for sale, though I’m almost sold out of Arkansas Traveller. See the link from www.WalterReeves.com
By William J. Harding
April 29, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
I have used 10-10-10- over the years with much success.
In planting tomatoes ,I have practiced pulling all of the bottom leaves and branches off of the original plant. This wil allow you to plant the root deep and only the top leaves and branches are visible and exposed. With this done, it is essential to keep the total area of the plant root system moist.
Allow between 2to 21/2 feet between each plant. The sun light plays a vital role in the success of the tomato patch.
By Stacy
April 29, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Glad there’s a blog on this topic! After years of struggling with a shady yard that won’t allow tomato or corn, I planted one tomato plant in a large pot on my sunny deck last week. It gets about six hours of sun a day — but I can move it if more or less is needed. It’s a Better Bush tomato plant.
After reading the article, I think I made a couple of mistakes! When the article says to “bury” the plant, do they mean to bury several of the sets of leaves down into the dirt?
Also, the plant came with a small tomato already growing. Do I snip that off along with any flowers?
THANKS!