Hey everyone! I'm looking for some solid advice from experienced tomato growers. I've had some decent tomato plants in the past, but since moving to a new place, my harvests have been pretty disappointing. My current plants look spindly and small, and I'm unsure if I should be doing anything different, especially with my soil or planting times. I am in zone 6b, so what should I consider at the beginning and end of the growing season? Do any of you use egg shells or banana peels? I want to get back to having bountiful tomatoes like I used to. Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
Soil quality is super important! I noticed a big change when I improved mine. Try ensuring your tomatoes get at least 7 hours of sunlight a day. I water mine deeply every other day. If your soil isn’t great, it might be worth looking into composting or adding some chicken manure. I did that for my garden and noticed a huge difference! Also, make sure there’s enough space between plants to allow them to breathe—about 3 feet works well.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely focus on the soil prep and spacing this time around.
Eggshells really don’t do much for tomatoes, except maybe deter slugs! What you really need is rich soil and plenty of water. I usually add compost or worm castings. In my experience, tomato plants thrive with consistent watering and some slow-release fertilizer. Make sure to keep an eye on watering and maybe mulch to help retain moisture.
I used to think eggshells helped, but I've since learned that even watering is key. Have you noticed less blossom end rot with your routine?
Appreciate the advice! Sounds like mulching and proper watering are the way to go.
You might want to check your surroundings for black walnut trees. They release toxins that can mess with tomato plants. On another note, starting seeds indoors in February or March then transplanting them works wonders. I mulch heavily and use a drip irrigation system for consistent watering. At the end of the season, I chop down plants and let them decompose back into the soil, which helps nutrients stay rich for the next season. Good luck!
Wow, your method sounds thorough! I thought about using black plastic to trap heat and moisture—what do you think?
Thanks for the heads up on the black walnuts! I'll definitely check that out.
I definitely agree about soil. How do you prepare it before planting? Planning on testing mine this year!