Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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January 18, 2018 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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Victory Garden Dream
I have been struggling with how to help my community for more than 5 years learn how to grow vegies. Many roadblocks along the way, but the idea still persists.
I am carrying over my thoughts from another thread: had a "doh" moment just a few years ago as I realized the old gardening show hosted by Crockett initially was called The Victory Garden for a reason totally different than my imagination created. My thought was that digging in the garden with mom and having extra food was a victory. haha The real reason for the name was when we all chipped in to win that world war. Today I see we have another war to win--food poverty. I think about the many people in my community with low paying work or no work. We have 2 food pantries. One without fresh produce and another limited to those they deem fit the rules. When I had extra produce I brought it to the former, and when my son grew his Eagle project produce it also was for the former. Anyone could help themselves--- and boy did folks flock when he walked in carriing boxes of produce. I dream of everyone having a tomato plant( to start), and I have no idea how to help everyone get gardening. The high school has a garden but it all goes to the latter pantry. The lower grammer school is in a low income zone but the play ground experiences vandalism--dont see a garden thriving there YET. I see lots of poverty that lives under the radar for the majority of the local residents. First step..Find the right variety..... What do you think is an easy variety for a first time gardener?? My thoughts is that it needs to be a red or pink. A short indeterminate. I am open to all ideas. |
January 18, 2018 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: OH 6a
Posts: 592
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I think if you're going to grow food for the community, the ability to do it affordably is important. I'm a proponent of no till/back to eden, especially if you have support form the city to get mulch.
I'm guessing you want to start with a market tomato like Rutgers. |
January 20, 2018 | #3 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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Quote:
For two years now one person along main street has set up a tube that winds like a snake to grow. Looks odd and out of place, but kudos for effort. One big pot; soil to fill, 3 tall stakes....... |
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January 18, 2018 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Near Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,940
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Kids love cherry tomatoes and they are pretty vigorous and disease resistant. Of course that is the total opposite of short . . .
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January 20, 2018 | #5 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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Quote:
lol, when this first popped into my mind, I bought yellow pear. It is what variety a teacher selected as a school project. So the first my kids grew, and what pulled me back into gardening. |
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January 18, 2018 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,051
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As you read all the various threads, you see how much work and money and effort people put into caging and staking large indeterminate tomato plants. My vote would be for a red or pink dwarf that can be easily staked and often puts out just as many tomatoes, albeit closer together. I don't know how far north in New England you are, but where I am we don't get those 16 foot tall plants our southern neighbors sometimes show off anyway. The dwarfs can be grown in container easily, as well, for those who don't have "gardens".
Now, if you are considering a cherry, I grew out Rev Michael Keyes (seeds from Marsha, thanks again) which is a multiflora red grape shaped tomato, and that baby put out more fruit than we could keep up with. I don't think even one of them cracked, either. I did grow it in a container, but it did require a lot of support for those heavy branches. Very good robust flavor, as well. |
January 20, 2018 | #7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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January 18, 2018 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Not red not pink.
Black Plum you wont be sorry. Red rocket is another good choice. Worth |
January 20, 2018 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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January 21, 2018 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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January 21, 2018 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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January 18, 2018 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: OH 6a
Posts: 592
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Florida weave is a really cheap way to trellis.
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January 20, 2018 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 661
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January 18, 2018 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MA/NH Border
Posts: 4,919
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What a lovely plan! One problem may be is that those who could benefit most, may not have the land available. Assuming most of them rent, or live in multiple unit buildings, growing their own vegetables may not be feasible or even possible.
Rather than giving each plants they'll need to find a place to grow before even learning how, perhaps look into finding some land (ask churches, your town, local business) if there's some land they will allow you to use to set up a community garden for those in need? Then set the expectation that anyone wanting produce from the garden invest some amount of time planting, weeding, pruning, and harvesting? This might feel less like charity and could help build relationships among community members. Best of luck with your efforts! |
January 19, 2018 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 46
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I wish you lots of success in this venture, whatever shape or form it may develop into.
There’s a pretty cool initiative here in Vancouver: http://solefoodfarms.com/our-story Also interesting: https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley...ral_la/up-next |
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