Nova said:
I want to add that mulching around plants makes a big difference. It retains moisture in the soil and helps control weeds.
Grass mulch is effective for weed control, but it may attract insects.
Nova said:
I want to add that mulching around plants makes a big difference. It retains moisture in the soil and helps control weeds.
I learned that the hard way last year. Without mulch, I had to water and weed almost daily.
Nova said:
I want to add that mulching around plants makes a big difference. It retains moisture in the soil and helps control weeds.
Absolutely! It’s quite affordable as well. You can also find mixtures that will fertilize your garden while blending into the soil. Just avoid hardwood mulch commonly used for landscaping.
@Kim
If you’re near a horse farm, used hay can serve well, and they usually don’t mind if you take some.
A few tomato secrets:
If you live in an area where cages are used for support, consider horizontal tomato cages. They make picking easier and can be removed for soil maintenance in spring.
Densely planted tomatoes can outcompete most weeds (except for vining ones) if given enough nutrients, water, and sunlight. I regularly plant 16 or more tomato plants in a 4x12 bed.
When planting tomatoes, choose the tallest plants in your price range and remove all but the top leaves. Bury them up to just below the top leaves and wrap newspaper around the stem at soil level to deter pests. The submerged portion will develop roots.
Add a soaker hose before the plants grow too large and make sure to water them during dry spells to maintain production.
Soil quality is key. Adding compost to the soil is a must. Without this, yields may suffer. However, products like Miracle-Gro and other high-nitrogen fertilizers can feed the plant as well. I even spray Miracle-Gro directly onto the plants. My tomatoes often grow six to eight feet tall with substantial yields.
Don’t stress too much about suckers on tomatoes; large plants can still produce fruit from them.
If you have green tomatoes that are big enough but not ripening, place an overripe store-bought tomato near the plants to kickstart the ripening process.
In general, for tomatoes and especially peppers: if there are any concrete elements or rocks near your garden, you may need to add sulfur to balance the pH. Peppers notably respond well to sulfur.
Does anyone have good tips for growing onions?
@Ariel
For onions? Definitely recommend purchasing plants from Dixon Dale Farms. I’ve had a lot of success with them. I coordinate purchases with a group to get better pricing. Plant them as shallow as possible and make sure to space them out well while providing plenty of high-nitrogen fertilizer.
@Stevie
I’m growing short day onions from seeds in zone 9b, but they’ve only reached about 3-4 inches in a couple of months. They’re in a 6" raised bed with weed cloth underneath. Is that too shallow for onions? Any tips would be appreciated!
@Wilder
I can’t comment on growing from seeds or short day varieties. I typically use onion sets in early spring and plants from Dixon Dale Farms.
@Ariel
[deleted]
I’m unsure whether it’s better to plant seedlings vertically or horizontally. Planting vertically might resist drought better with deeper roots, while horizontal planting could enhance fertilizer and water uptake.
@Ariel
The key is allowing the plant to root over a larger section of stem. This technique promotes robust fruit yields.
Stevie said:
@Ariel
The key is allowing the plant to root over a larger section of stem. This technique promotes robust fruit yields.
So what’s the reasoning behind this?
Stevie said:
@Ariel
The key is allowing the plant to root over a larger section of stem. This technique promotes robust fruit yields.
So what’s the reasoning behind this?
The interesting aspect of tomatoes (and potatoes) is that they root along the entire length of the buried stem. More buried stem results in a bigger root system, allowing the plant to absorb more nutrients, which generally leads to a healthier plant and increased fruit production.
In the north (Minnesota), I grow long-season onions that turn out excellent. Keep them weeded and well-fertilized.
In the north (Minnesota), I grow long-season onions that turn out excellent. Keep them weeded and well-fertilized.
Greetings from Minnesota! Which varieties from Dixon Dale are winners in this region? I usually stick to Copra for its success and storage ability, but maybe I should explore other options.
@Ash
I suggest Red Torpedo, Red Zeppelin, Yellow Sweet Spanish, and of course, Copra.
I plant some Walla Walla and Ailsa Craig for fall salsa making, but be aware they don’t store well, so use those first.
@Stevie
I’ve always wanted to grow a giant Alisa Craig, but I’m concerned about its non-storage trait. When they say you can’t store them, how short is that timeframe? Do they need to be consumed within a week or a month?
@Ash
I harvested in August, and they lasted until November.
@Ariel
I’m curious about the advice on using a store-bought tomato and how it aids in ripening. Where should it be placed?
Olin said:
@Ariel
I’m curious about the advice on using a store-bought tomato and how it aids in ripening. Where should it be placed?
Ripe/rotting tomatoes release a gas called ethylene that accelerates ripening in nearby produce. Simply place the overripe tomato on the ground near your tomatoes to initiate the process. If you’re interested in the details, there’s plenty of information available online on this.