We Should Be Hearing From Flip Soon!

Now that he is an EB gardener plus dirt farmer it should be a very interesting season as I gave him about nine EBs plus four more or so for him to come back and pick up. Couldn't fit any more in his van. Had to relinquish all but five for myself because of my health reasons. Wish I could have given some to you guys but it meant too much work for me in cleaning and the cost of shipping this way Flip recieved them with freash coco coir from Bocabob so all he has to do is scoop out the old 10-10-10 fertilizer replace it with fresh fertilizer and go. Doesn't even need lime so keep in touch with us Flip as you are now an official EG'er. HE-HE LOL Knew I'd getcha someday!!

That was a nice gesture, TPlant, to donate your boxes to someone that can use and appreciate them. I'm sure Flip will use them to grow a crop of produce that will make you proud. You should be very pleased at how many of us you've converted to EB'ers.

WOW! Thank You. Wish I had stock in the company? They sure are a lot of fun and highly productive if directions are followed according to EB people. No shortcuts...That coco coir is great stuff also. See Bocabob for that product. A great person to do business with. I'm only sorry that I won't be doing as much with him now with ony five EBs.

TPlant: We will have you for our professor though, and that is a much needed position with gardeners like me around. LOL Yeah, I order something from Bob and it gets here in no time. Will be glad when this week is over and the cold snap fear is over up here. Then I can go nuts getting all my stuff into self watering containers.
joy

I am so frusterated! I'm trying to put my new garden scooter togeather but my fingertips have little or no feeling especially from my right hand which was injured in a Coast Guard accident in 1975. My son said he will take over for me but he is working long shifts for the next week so I'll have to hold off. OK though, as I still have plenty of time to seed melons. My months are March and April.

TPlant: Don't feel alone, I'm frustrated as I put my self staking system for my maters together this week, and in searching on the computer I cannot find how far my maters have to be from any corn I plant. I'm planting both and need to know this before I get to playing Bob the Builder as my staking system will be reuseable, year after year, so, want to make sure it's where I want it before getting it done. I have a big yard and knowing how far apart to keep the two will determine where the tomatoes go.
joy

I planted mine side by side? No problemo!!!

TPlant: Finally gave in and made the call to the FL extension office, was told as long as my corn is far enough away from my maters not to cast a shadow on them I should be fine. Whew, ahead, full steam now.
joy

Here is a shot of my corn a couple of seasons ago growing right up to my tomatos, however, this was a southerly exposure so it worked out terrifically! I had a beautiful crop of corn and tomatos. Those were the days. Can't believe that I had to cut back to only five EBs but as long as I'm still needed I feel like I'm growing hundreds of EBs for friends that need my advice.

Remember this crop? No one could ask for more perfect corn.

TPlant: Yes I remember that beautiful ear of corn, mine were not that nice, they didn't ripen all the way, and I think it's cause I planted too many ears in the boxes, I'm going to try 8 plants per box this year. I did plant them right up along the fence though, and my fence is a wooden 6 ft tall fence, wonder if that could have contributed also?
joy

I plant sixteen per EB. They need full sun and don't require support as they lean on each other. Ever notice a corn field and how close the plants are ? Well the same holds true for us. Besides they pollinate each other when closer so don't worry. Just plant eight on each side with the fertilizer in the middle. It will work better for you. Each stalk will give two ears. The taste far outweighs the store bought. I used to eat them raw right off the stalk at times. For corn I laways prefer the hybrids, you know the white and yellow kernels?

TPlant: Hm, ok, you are right, when living in Ohio, which is corn country I do remember them being close together, maybe my planting them right up against the wooden fence had something to do with it as it could have blocked the sun to the better part of them.
joy

Absolutely as you blocked the 100% sun required for corn and don't worry about planting them too close as the closer they are the more benefit they are to each other. They huddle togeather against the wind and their stalks won't snap. You'll see!

TPlant: Ok, this time, they are not going up against the fence and I think I found the perfect spot for them right in the middle of the yard. LOL My tomatoes and the rest of my garden is to the right looking out the back door, so they will be to the left.
joy

Heya TP - somehow I missed this thread tho I've related your EB donation to me elsewhere on this forum. I've got them all fairly cleaned up and am currently germinating some peppers (mostly hot). I'll try them and perhaps a few melons in a few of the eb's to have something to play with over the next several months.
Of course, I have a bunch of new tomato seeds, including some of Carolyn's new ones, to try out in the fall. Counting your eb's, I'll have about 25 containers to plant in, mostly with the coir. I'll probably only plant one of the gardens (15 plants) next season .
Hope you're doing well,
Flip

AHHH! There you are? Yes doing better as far less work for me. Planted my melon seeds yesterday in four EBs. Crimson, Sweet, Allsweet, Hales Jumbo cantaloupe and forgot the other melon. Going to plant okra in one EB for my daughter and the rest are yours. (Three or four?) Memories gone too!

Flip and TPlant: My daughter is threatening to have me committed. LOL She says that the word "tomato" is now forbidden to be spoken more than once a day in the house (sniffles). I started tomatoes from seed; but, ended up adding some plants as time went by, I had wanted about 20-30 different varities with about 2 of each plant, as time went by and the more I looked, I started finding maters I didn't have, now I got a mater forest. I probably got 40-50 varieties running out of room to plant them now, so gotta stop I suppose?
joy

Hi Joy - you know I do the same thing every year except I do it on purpose! I just grow a lot of seedlings/varieties and give a lot away to some of my local tomato pals. I always end up with leftovers and sometimes they come in handy as I've found some pretty novel ways to kill some off early in the season. And, I'm always looking for a spare corner or pot to plant another one in. You're not alone....
Flip

This is the first time I've seen the local nurseries carrying more than a few types of tomatoes though, one actually had brandywines! And a few of those brandywines were calling my name, I just couldn't leave without them, they had about 15 different varities, well, I got 20 to take to the church tomorrow evening right? LOL I lost my Talladega though, I accidentally went by my directions and added 3 cups of fertilizer and the leaves turned brown, I yanked it real quick as I though "early blight" and then discovered it was too much fertilizer, will have to let them know at the church tomorrow night so everyone doesn't make the same mistake I did. I have read that too much fertilizer will produce a lot of foilage but not many tomatoes, just my luck hey?
joy

Hello, everyone!

Flip, we've been waiting for you =). We want pictures in the coming weeks, of course.

Annapet