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Pruning Tomato Plants: A Quick How-to Guide

Edible Container Gardening — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:28:18 +0000

Tomato Plant Sucker

The first thing that you need to know about pruning tomato plants is this: determinate and indeterminate tomato plants have different pruning needs. To find out what kind of plant you have, check your seed packet, or the small plastic stake that came with your tomato seedling. Before you move on to the tomato pruning guide, learn more about determinate and indeterminate tomato plants.

Once you’ve determined (no pun intended) that you need to prune your tomato plant, here are some basic pointers:

Remove all of the suckers from your tomato plant when you begin pruning. Suckers are little wanna-be plants that start growing at the crotch (V where two stems meet) points of tomato plants. When pruning a tomato plant, suckers are the first thing that need to be taken care of. Suckers rob tomato plants of energy and sugar, which results in poor growth and smaller tomatoes. To remove a sucker, use your forefinger and thumb to pinch them off. If they are already thick and too difficult to pinch off, use a razor blade (not scissors or clippers) to cut off the sucker.
Once the tomato plant is about 12″ tall, remove the leaves from the bottom 3″ of the plant. This will protect your plant from fungus and other diseases.
Once the plant reaches 18″ or more, always keep the bottom 6-8 inches of stem free from leaves.
Remove stems that look thin and sickly. This occurs when the plant is too full and bushy, causing some of the leaves to be in the shade of the other stems, unable to get any sunshine. Rather than have those weak stems sucking energy from the plant, it’s best to pinch or slice them off.

Originally posted 2009-08-17 06:59:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Container Gardening in South Texas Drought Conditions

Edible Container Gardening — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:48:39 +0000

I live in South Texas, and the summers are almost always ALWAYS ridiculously hot. Every summer, my kids joke that they’re going to try to fry an egg on the sidewalk. And every summer, they “forget” about their plan because it’s just too hot to go out to see if it would actually work.

It’s that very same heat that is putting a lot of stress on my container garden. I water the plants at least three times per day. Still, they’re wilting from the heat. I think that if we don’t get a couple of overcast days in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to relocate the entire container garden to my covered patio.

Originally posted 2009-07-18 22:48:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

What is the Difference Between “Determinate Tomatoes” and “Indeterminate Tomatoes”?

Edible Container Gardening — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:18:59 +0000

Tomatoes come in two basic types: determinate tomato plants, and indeterminate tomato plants. What’s the difference between the two?

Determinate Tomatoes

Determinate tomato plants are genetically engineered plants that will grow to have a pre-determined height, predetermined number of stems, and a predetermined number of leaves. They only bear fruit for a short time during the growing season. Once the tomatoes are harvested, the plant will not bear any more fruit, and it will eventually die down.

Indeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomato plants grow naturally. Each plant is slightly different from the others, on the basis of number of stems, leaves, and number of tomatoes that they bear. They also give fruit for as long as the growing season lasts.

Which is Better?

It really depends on your preferences and needs. Determinate tomato plants are usually also genetically engineered to resist diseases and pests. Personally, I grow indeterminate tomato plants because in the south we have two long growing seasons. I feel that if I’m going to put in the time to grow and care for a tomato plant, I want to enjoy the tomatoes for as long as I can.

Originally posted 2009-07-27 13:40:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Can Carrots Make You Prettier?

Edible Container Gardening — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:01:21 +0000

Chances are, your parents always told you that if you ate your carrots, you’d grow up to be big and strong with healthy eyes. What they didn’t tell you, though, was that you’d also be considered more attractive. Researchers at Bristol and St. Andrews Universities showed photographs of 51 Caucasian faces to 40 volunteers. The volunteers overwhelming rated the subjects with yellow-tinted skin as more physically attractive. If you eat enough of them, the carotenoids contained in carrots (and other yellow and orange vegetables) tint the skin with a slightly yellowish hue. Apparently, this yellow tint is the portrait of beauty and health.

Luckily for you, it is super easy to grow carrots in containers. Instead of paying up to $10 for a 5 pound bag of organic carrots at the grocer’s, buy a packet of carrot seeds and grow your own at home! (My advice: use Seeds of Change carrot seeds. They’re certified organic, grown in America, and the packet is resealable!)

Originally posted 2011-06-07 15:49:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Grow a Fruit and Vegetable Garden in the City

Edible Container Gardening — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:37:36 +0000

Aaah, when I lived in the city, I longed for a garden of my own. I had a tiny little deck that overlooked a manmade pond. What I didn’t know then was that I had all I needed to grow a garden right there outside my sliding glass door.

If you live in an apartment, you can grow a vegetable garden the very same way I grow MY vegetable garden. I might have a big yard, but the way I plant and grow my veggies is the same way you can do it. Container gardening is the answer.

How to Grow Vegetables in an Apartment

All you need to grow vegetables in an apartment is a few containers, some potting mix, and seeds or seedlings. That’s it.

If you have a deck or balcony like I did, just scoot everything out there and water the seeds or seedlings regularly.

If you don’t have a balcony or deck, just find the sunniest window in your home. South-facing windows are best. You’ll get sun almost all day in a south-facing window.

What Kinds of Vegetables Can Grow in an Apartment?

You’re really only limited by your available space.

Herbs can be grown on a kitchen counter, using under counter lights for a light source.
Radishes can be grown in an apartment window box.
Short hybrid carrots just need a flower pot and a windowsill..
Tomatoes need the most room. If you have room in your apartment for a five gallon bucket, you have room for a tomato plant.

Originally posted 2009-10-13 21:33:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter