Trying to be successful, any help appreciated; Sub-Irrigated Planter, ET, &raised bed
 

Hi everyone, my name is Andrea. I have been lurking around the site for a little while.

I decided to plant some tomatoes this year. So I thought that I would do some research in hopes that I could be somewhat successful at it.

I got a few of my tomatoes from the local nursery:

Black Krim, Paul Robeson and Tomatillo (went back and got a second tomatillo, after research said i would next more than one. keeping fingers crossed)

I ordered my others through Laurel's Heirloom tomatoes:

Black Cherry, Carmello, Pink Brandywine and Big Zac

This all started with the Sub Irrigated Planter...

I saw the plans in my Family Handyman magazine. I thought that I was a pretty cool idea and decided to build one. Then that turned into, okay I will put tomato plants in it. :) That is where the madness began...

Now I have the Sub Irrigated Planter, two small raised cedar beds and one Earthtainer. OMG, the Earthtainer along cost around $122.00 to build. That thing is NOT cheap. UGH

So, I just want to make sure that I am doing what I should be doing...

Before Planting: I dipped that plants in a Biota Max, Actinovate, Mycogrow mixture. I drained off the remaing liquid from the pots. Once planted, I used the remaining mixture as a soil drench on each of the plants.

So all of the tomatoes except the Big Zac and tomatillos are in a soiless mixture.

Black Krim and Paul Robeson are in the Earthtainer: Planted 05/12/12
Dr. Earth Tomato, vegetable & Herb fert strip in the middle. mixed in the lime also.

Black Cherry, Pink Brandywine and Carmello are in the SIP: Planted 05/18/12
Dr. Earth Tomato, veg & herb ring around each plant. Also mixed in some EB Stone Sure Start about a week before planting. mixed in the lime also

Big Zac is in a small raised cedar bed (Top soil, mushroom compost). Also mixed in some EB Stone Sure Start and lime about a week before planting

I am trying to take the preventive approach to disease and bugs:

Does this sound right?

Disease spray: (Actinovate, Exel LG and Molasses) WEEKLY on Saturday's

Insect control: (started out as; Captain Jacks deadbug, just bought; bonide tomato and vegetable 3 in 1) BI-WEEKLY on Sunday's

Fertilizer: (Seaweed emulsion) MONTHLY on Wednesday's

I am still trying to work out the times of spraying. Evenings work best for me but I understand that could cause diseases...

Well I am open for any suggestions as I would like to have an abundance of tomatoes this year. (well what I can get from six plants)

Unfortunately, I am having some problems with Photobucket right now. I will post some pics a little later.

Thank you in advance!!!
Andrea

Andrea,
From a new container grower to another - Welcome!
Nice write up. Other than a difference in fertilizer, and bug control, looks very similar to my schedule.

How much did the FH SIP cost to build? I assume it is not moveable?
Would love to see it...

Hi,

Thank you! Curious: what kind of differences?

Not exact but I think that it was just under $200.00. I used treated lumber instead of Cedar. It is 3'x6'

BUT!!! 5 bags of MetroMix 360 at $24.99 a bag. Yikes!!! and it could use 1 - 2 more. I said "maybe next year I will add more".

No I cannot move it. If I took all of the dirt out maybe with some muscle.

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/sip03.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/sip02.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/sip01.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/sip04.jpg[/IMG]

FYI, the last picture had only 3 bags of metromix

That's some nice handiwork! What did you line it with?

Thanks! Routed the edges of the boards and sanded my butt off. :yes:

It was a pond liner from Menards. I believe 20 mil.



Actually... now that I think about it. My husband did the routing. haha

Okay, this is where i am at currently...

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/IMG_7288.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/IMG_7289.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/IMG_7290.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/fishgeeksrus/IMG_7291.jpg[/IMG]

Beautiful yard....I grew up on a farm, but now live in an apartment in the city....I'd just love to have a yard like that!

Thank you! Wow, that is a big difference. Time to move to the suburbs. :)

Well now that I looked at the pics again...

The yard in the first and second pic is my neighbor. HaHa

None of the squash, zuch, or cucumbers are doing good :( Not sure what to do.

Nice work and an effective use of available labor!
I presume you added lime?

Differences -
Tomato tone as fertilizer strip
Foxfarm Grow Big for early season supplement
Have their Tiger Bloom and Big Bloom on hand for later
Used Neptune Farm SeaStart PGR early on.

Fungicide - Will use Actinovate And Exel
Have Serenade and Greencure on hand

Insect control - Going to try this homemade Tomato leaf spray for aphids (still have not gotten to it)
[url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=22698[/url]
Take Down Spray on hand.

Beyond that - My patented method of "benign -bordering on active neglect" has served me well so far.

Yes, i did add the lime.

Ah hah, I see. Mostly the same just different brands.

I had to order most of the things that I have used thus far online. My local nusery carriers: Bonide, Dr. Earth and Espoma for sure. I did ask if they could order the actinovate. Luckily, they are.

So instead of ordering online: I am going to try to stick with local to avoid the shipping costs. (at least where I can)

Question: I only planted three plants in the SIP. Do you think that I could plant more than that? It is 3' x 6'

Another question: I finally picked up a moisture meter and decided to check the tomatoes. One registered 7.0 and the rest 9.9. Does this sound right?