Tomatoes

After a disastrous time with tomatoes because of the heat (Lost most of them), I found a way to make use of the green tomatoes anyway. There are several recipes to be found on Internet sites that provide great recipes for several uses of green tomatoes. Recently tried a green tomato sauce on pasta that was excellent. So next time you think about getting rid of those green tomatoes, check out some great recipes first.

Risk Reward - Tomatoes

We have purchased, planted, replanted and LOST every tomato in our garden in South Carolina. We have finally given up.
The cost to purchase tomatoes at a store or market stand is much cheaper!

Most folks in the neighborhood have done the same. They say it is just the pure heat in South Carolina.
While I am not totally convinced that is all it is, I am beginning to be a believer.

After attempting several different growing methods: in raised beds; in round plastic containers; in separate soil areas - nothing works. They will grow and mature to a point and then suddenly, they just start to deteriorate and never look back. There is no saving a tomato plant once it starts to deteriorate.

Reluctantly, I have attempted one final option - the earth boxes that I refer to in my other blog comments. So far, so good, BUT , it is too early to call. Every one I have spoken with in the South swears by these earth boxes - www.earthbox.com - but as I said, the jury is still out for me. I will keep you posted on my results. Until then, here I come grocery store.

I could have bought tomatoes for the entire summer already on what I have spent to attempt to produce my own in SC.

Waiting to Harvest - too late

I had this beautiful red/golden tomato ready to harvest and thought I would let it go just one more sunny day. Sure enough, one of those stinking little critters, probablya squirrel had it on the ground gnawing away at it the next morning. Learned my lesson here - when they look good, pull them!!

Trying to grow tomatoes in SC

I have gone from tomato plants in a raised bed with fertilizer and soil from a nursery (planting in various locations) to placing tomato plants in different size pots - yet they all continue to die off or are terribly diseased. I am beginning to think that the heat is so intense in SC (regardless of how much watering I do), that it is simply too much for tomatoes. I have tried all varieties, including disease resistent, mature plants and have purchased them from a variety of sellers.

Is anyone in this region (I think it is 9), experiencing similar problems??

On the other hand, Egg Plant is thriving like a wildfire out of control. So are the squash and certain peppers. especially the sweet italian banana types. Squash does fairly well also.

I would appreciate comments regarding the tomatoes. Maybe I am just doing something wrong but NEVER had this problem up North.

Thanks.

Vine split tomatoes

Tomatoes can  over-ripe or, in this case, probably had too much watering, if not a fungus.  Pick them a little on the early side and let them ripen further on a windowsill.

 If the plants get really dried out and then soggy with water and then dried out again, this may cause the tomatoes to split.

Or, you may have a case of sour rot. This is a fungus that leads to wide, deep cracks in tomatoes near the stem end. This can be correctred with a standard fungicide found in your local garden centers. Spray it on the plant according to the manufacturer's directions and tomatoes should be fine. To avoid fungal problems in the future, do  not water the tops of the plants.

Good luck.

Disease Resistent Tomato Plants

How many of you understand the "codes" on the pamphlets of tomato plants at your local retailers? I didn't know what these letters in CAPS meant. In fact, you probably don't either unless you are an experienced gardener.

So the next time you buy tomato plants, check for CODES on the labels, there are several and each have a different disease resistant purpose. The best thing to do is 1) research common plant diseases in your geographic area  and 2) then select plants that have appropriate codes UNLESS you insist on non-modified plants in which case, plant those type in a large pot. In other words, if there are no codes for disease resistance on your purchase of a selected tomato plant, buy a large planting pot for it.

Tomato plants

In my search for tomato plants at various retail locations, prices vary for similar tomatoes.

Would you believe that these are our most surviving tomato plants, yet we spent 50 cents for each  at a local LARGE department type store (I don't want to patronize names). My point is, after planting probably 15 or so tomato plants from about 5 different retailers. the cheapest are the most vibrant.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to purchase, produce and eat your own crops. Look around for bargains,. they are out there, especially at your larger discount store chains with a garden shop.

Gardening in the South versus the North

Though I am not new to gardening, I moved from the North and learned that it is much different trying to grow vegetables in the South. I belonged to an organic farm coop and enjoyed eating safe veggies and had my own thriving veggie garden. When I came South, I quickly realized that the bugs and garden diseases are far worse, especially if you like organic gardening.

Wilt is a soil disease that can claim the life of a nice, near mature tomato plant if it is not disease resistent as indicated on the plants brochure. Your best defense is to plant your organic tomatoes in large pots as wilt disease can remain in the soil for years. Otherwise make sure you buy disease resistant plants but then forget about eating organic. Pots in a raised garden bed perform just as well as planting in the soil while assuring the comfort of a good tomatoe crop.
I never heard of nor experienced Wilt disease up North.