Hi Perhaps this should go in the Vegetable thread, but since it is very local, I thought I would post it here. I was "just browsing" today at Mike's Garden Center in Southlake, and they have small plants of heirloom tomatoes. I bought one of the Brandywine. Just thought I would toss this out, in case any local folks are interested.
Heirloom Tomato Plants avail. locally
When I first moved here, I planted tomatoes but was foiled by the birds who seemed to take a peck before I could pick. Do you do anything special? The thought of a juicy fresh tomato is making my mouth water....
This will be my first year planting tomatoes here in TX (although I have been in TX since the 90's). I was inspired when I 'babysat' (watered) my neighbors tomatoes while they were away on vacation last summer. Wow, I ate so many... For the birds, He did put a netting that was tacked over some stakes, so I guess the birds did start to peck at his too. The was loose on the side, and one would duck under when there were some ripe ones for picking. I received yesterday in the mail my first Earthbox to plant a couple tomatoes in. I was thinking that the self-watering conatiner where I control the quality of soil would be easier than amending and trying to keep tomatoes watered in the ground. The Earthbox is ugly, but I'll look the other way to get some good tomatoes without heavy labor. So here is hoping I have some good results!
You must also be pining for tomatoes. I saw your website and you have a gorgeous garden....so that is sacrifice to have an ugly box.What is an earthbox?
All that garden is in my front yard. Just that little 'complimentary garden' that all the builders put in. I have amended that bed with about 35 bags of ass't compost, etc. to improve the soil. My backyard is a big blank canvas with nothing except grass and another little garden. Bad soil too. I am itching to landscape, but I cannot, in case I put in a pool. I am honestly not interested in a pool now, but I need to leave the yard open just in case. As you know, when a pool comes in, they bring in the big machines and do big digging. I will be the *only* house in the neighborhood without a pool, other than the new homes for sale. A pool is eventual, and if it is not me, then the next owner. So no landscaping back there for me. An Earthbox may be OK back there. Here is the Earthbox site. (not sure how to put a hylerlink here) http://www.earthbox.com/ There is also plenty info on DG's on Earthboxes. I learned about them on DG's. I'll also try one tomato plant in a regular large container and see how that goes. BTW, I saw the Earthboxes locally, at the Calloways in Colleyville. They had it for $79. (eeek!) and it is priced $37.95 plus shipping from Earthbox.com. If you want to see what it is, you can see it at that Calloways. It lookes nothing special, other than the self-watering aspect of it. I But there are plenty of 'believers' who produced well on DG's, so I decided to give it a try. Hope this info helps...
Thanks. Glad you are so local. I will pass by Calloways for a look.
BTW, the EB's (Earthboxes) don't look very impressive in person when one considers the price paid. I wanted to warn you up front. But... I did plant my two little tomato plants yesterday in the EB. I had to fill up the resovoir, as per instructions. Wow, it took a *lot* of water. I can see with the soil dipping in two corners into this resovoir, and with the top of the pot having a "shower cap" with plants poking through, that the pot would remain evenly moist. The water from the resovoir wicks up through the soil. I think there will be plenty of similar knock-offs that will be cheaper, in time. Also, if you search DG, you will find many who saved money by designing a homemade EB. I am just not the person to fashion something in a workshop. ;) We are lucky to have nice nurseries locally that offer alternative plants to the big box stores.
EB's might not look like much but your tomatoes will love them! I planted my seedlings two weeks ago and mine have already tripled in size. When they get larger and the heat really starts in you might have to water twice a day but it's really worth it..
Araness, your tomatoes look great! Nice job on the planting... I didn't do quite as neatly as you on the hole-cutting. I used a larger transplant, forgetting they needed to be threaded through the plastic. I see you have some small bamboo sticks to support the plants. Do you use another system when the plants get larger, or do you let them sprawl? Thanks in advance. I was thinking about buying the tomato support sold by the EB people. Also, what varieties did you plant? I tried Brandywine & "444" in the one EB I have. I am looking forward to the summer to see results. I figure that the 444 is for TX heat, and will perhaps perform when the Brandwine might poop out.
lol my DH went a tad overboard with the support and we now have to "field goals" on either side of my postage stamp of a backyard. I'll tack on a picture for you to see. As to what I planted I'll try to remember everything.
Aker's West Virgina
Black Cherry
Black Krim
Porter's Pride
Tigerella
Aunt Ginny's Purple
Pruden's Purple
Kimberley
Gary O' Sena
Cherokee Chocolate
Black From Tula
Carbon
Black Pear
Paul Robeson
Eva Purple Ball
Neves Azorean Red
Arkansas Traveler
I think that's it...
Wowee, that is going to be a great harvest! I guess you did a lot of homework for what works in the summer of Texas. Good for your DH, to put the effort in and make "field goals" to hold up your tomaotes. Kudos to the man...
I did try and as you can see we like the blacks...I'm always on the prowl for one's I haven't tried. LOL with all that wracking of the brain to list I forgot the picture! Please don't look at the rest of the yucky yard...*G* I could care less if I had grass or anything else for that matter as long as I have my EB's and such.
