Texas Gardening: New to Houston Gardening - Looking to Learn , 1 by knolan

knolan wrote:
It's an old farmer's tale here (but since the old days, has been proven), that you should rotate your tomato crops every year. Don't continuously plant them in the same area. I can't remember the reason (soil disease, lack of nutrients, etc.....but I'm sure someone here will know and speak up).

Personally, I have 9 tomato plants right now. Only 5 varieties. 2 of those plants are in the same spot I had tomatoes last year and they are not doing well. I'm not sure if it's from the overlapping crops or, perhaps I didn't add enough cotton seed meal OR, we had a weather report of a possible late frost and I covered them that night....they haven't been the same since

Regardless, last year I had a huge crop....way too many for us to eat. I choose plants for the taste and the production. Maybe I just haven't tasted enough but, if I only got 5-6 fruit per plant, it wouldn't be worth my time or make a dinner for the table. I know that certain types are small producers and I give a high five to you, Feldon, for keeping those heirlooms going. I don't have the patience, (or the room) so I appreciate learning from someone who has a passion for it. I'll live vicariously though your plantings! LOL.

Regarding stinkbugs, I'll try anything. I like the idea of a dustbuster (hadn't thought of that).