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NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 12:33 PM Mar 2018

Chicago area gardeners (esp tomato lovers!) - I will be at Morton Arb next Saturday

Here is the info where you can register http://www.mortonarb.org/events/edible-gardening-workshop-series-2

They've expanded to 60 spots - I think 40 or so far filled. I'll be breaking the 2.5 hour time slot into two pieces - one on tomato history, stories, general types, all geared toward helping you decide what you may want to grow.

Second half will be on tomato culture - all of the key steps between seed starting, planting, trouble shooting and maintenance, seed saving, recipes - as well as container and straw bale ways to grow them well....

Everyone will get a packet of seeds and some handouts (too early for seedlings!) - they will have my books there to sell, which I will sign...mostly this is about coming out to ask any questions you may have. Spread the word!

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Chicago area gardeners (esp tomato lovers!) - I will be at Morton Arb next Saturday (Original Post) NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 OP
Hey NRL, cant get there but heres a tomato question for you. enough Mar 2018 #1
I plant my tomatoes in the same bed every year. SamKnause Mar 2018 #3
Sounds like the voice of experience! Thanks Sam. NT enough Mar 2018 #6
You are very welcome ! SamKnause Mar 2018 #9
Sure, but it depends upon how they did...if all you get are the typical fungal foliage issues - NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #7
So far good results, nothing that seems to impair production or deliciousness. enough Mar 2018 #8
hey my friend!! mopinko Mar 2018 #2
Congrats! Freethinker65 Mar 2018 #4
thanks! I was at the botanical garden two years ago and loved it! NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #5

enough

(13,454 posts)
1. Hey NRL, cant get there but heres a tomato question for you.
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 12:48 PM
Mar 2018

Do you think I could get away with not rotating my tomato beds for one year? I always do it religiously, but this spring we will be pressed for time and I’m wondering if I can get away with just adding a lot of good compost etc, and using the same bed as last year. It’s a good all-day full sun location with permanent trellises.

SamKnause

(13,804 posts)
3. I plant my tomatoes in the same bed every year.
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 01:05 PM
Mar 2018

I throw rabbit poop, tea bags, crushed egg shells, banana peels, and sprinkle

a generous amount of epsom salt on top.

Then I mixed it up good with the hoe and wait for planting season.

I grow my own plants from seeds.

After I plant the tomato plants I add 2 bags of pine shavings.

This keeps the weeds from popping up.

I had 19 plants last year in an area 8 feet by 5 feet.

I harvested 400 or 500 tomatoes.

I lost count.

As soon as the season is over, I start all over again with preparing the bed.

I have my niece saving her eggs shells and tea bags.

SamKnause

(13,804 posts)
9. You are very welcome !
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 04:47 PM
Mar 2018

Good luck.

I hope we both have a plentiful harvest.

I LOVE tomatoes !!!!!!!!!!

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
7. Sure, but it depends upon how they did...if all you get are the typical fungal foliage issues -
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 02:24 PM
Mar 2018

early blight and septoria - but largely good results, you are fine.

But if you are getting serious root zone diseases, such as Fusarium or Bacterial Wilt, Nematodes or Verticillium, the soil has issues that will attack the plants. In that case you would need to solarize the soil - or grow in containers or straw bales on that location, on top of a root block fabric or plastic.

enough

(13,454 posts)
8. So far good results, nothing that seems to impair production or deliciousness.
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 03:32 PM
Mar 2018

Next year I’ll probably go back to my usual rotation routine. Just need to streamline the process this year because of a complicated spring schedule. Cutting back to just tomatoes and herbs this year. I thought I’d just skip the garden entirely, but can’t bring myself to face a summer without that glorious flood of tomatoes. Thanks!

mopinko

(71,802 posts)
2. hey my friend!!
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 12:58 PM
Mar 2018

is this the day of the seed swap? i will try to make it.
but if you have time while you are in town, i would love to buy you some dinner!

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
5. thanks! I was at the botanical garden two years ago and loved it!
Mon Mar 12, 2018, 01:11 PM
Mar 2018

So I can complete the Chicago gardening mecca sweep!

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