Would an Earthtainer have worked in TEXAS's heat this past summer?

BW_AustinTX · October 27, 2011

Hi all,

I have a question about Ray's Earthtainer. It is in regards to TEXAS heat.

As many of you know, we had BRUTAL temperatures this past summer in TX, especially in Central TX where I live, in Austin. Since May, we had something like 100 days above 100F. It absolutely was not fun. Even night time temps stayed in mid to upper 90's. I do not have a pool, but those that do did not use them as the water stayed close to 100F. I mention all this to ask a question. If a pool is hanging around 100F, then surely the water reservoir in the Earthtainer would too. Not to mention the actual container part would of been in excess of 120F or so, even if light colored.

My question is, would tomato plants have survived in general in these conditions in an Earthtainer? And if so, what would of been realistic expectations.

I had bought supplies for an Earthtainer prior to the summer, but as life has it.. my plan did not come to fruition. But... I am still planning on building it for early spring. I LOVE the idea of the H20 conservation, especially since we are in "end of times" drought conditions here in Central Texas. But, I would like to know that if next summer is another one of Apocalyptic heat, is it worth my trouble and time to set it up. In general I know the Earhtainers are fantastic. I specifically am asking for my type of heat scenarios in Central Texas.

Thank you for your answers, insight, and thoughts.

Dewayne mater · October 27, 2011

In my opinion, nothing produces in Texas during summers like we had with virtually every day 100 or more degrees and every night above 80 degrees for a low. The earth tainer can't change that part of the environment. Things it will do: allow you to get your spring growth on faster as the soil is above ground and hit directly by the sun warming it up much faster than a soil based garden. EARLY is EVERYTHING in Texas if you want any production. (May not apply to Pan handle Texans who have a series of issues that I've never had to deal with). What else it does is allow for less disease (no water on the leaves), miserly water consumption, and in my experience in last year and this year, get more production per plant. Further, in the Fall, I had at least a couple of plants survive the Inferno that are now producing again, as well as a fall replanted crop that are also producing. At least in my garden, this is harder to impossible to do because my soil beds face due south and get so much direct sun that by the time a fall crop can establish in the heat, it is too late for production. Right now my 6 ETs have more than 100 green tomatoes on them from full sized down to much smaller. They are still trying to produce new ones, but, I'm going to cut them back and pick off newer ones to concentrate the plant's energy on already developing tomatoes. Finally, if we get a quick one night light freeze, I'll pull all my tainers into a heated garage and pull them back out when it is warmer. This helped me extend the season by 3 weeks or more last year.

rnewste · October 27, 2011

BW,

Even here in "milder" N. California, the Summer Sun is intense. Come July 1, I rig up a Coolaroo sun shade to help protect the plants:

Seems to work pretty well, and I would think in Austin, it would also extend your growing Season.

Raybo

dustdevil · October 27, 2011

I would think being able to handcart 'tainers into the shade on scorcher days would help immensely. Inversely, as it gets colder, you could cart them into the sun. It might be best to put a rectangle of plywood underneath to support the 'tainer before moving it...a bit of weight there.

Worth1 · October 29, 2011

I dont find it feasible to mess with tomateos in 100 plus heat here in the Austin area.
All you get is a plant that drops blossoms.

Worth

Direct Sunlight · October 29, 2011

I wish I had it figured out. My fall tomatoes are now producing for the first time, now that there's a chance of frost every week.

Worth1 · October 29, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direct Sunlight

I wish I had it figured out. My fall tomatoes are now producing for the first time, now that there's a chance of frost every week.

Phrase coined by me.
You always have the most fun right before you crash.

Worth

October 27, 2011	#1
BW_AustinTX Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin TX Posts: 28	Would an Earthtainer have worked in TEXAS's heat this past summer? Hi all, I have a question about Ray's Earthtainer. It is in regards to TEXAS heat. As many of you know, we had BRUTAL temperatures this past summer in TX, especially in Central TX where I live, in Austin. Since May, we had something like 100 days above 100F. It absolutely was not fun. Even night time temps stayed in mid to upper 90's. I do not have a pool, but those that do did not use them as the water stayed close to 100F. I mention all this to ask a question. If a pool is hanging around 100F, then surely the water reservoir in the Earthtainer would too. Not to mention the actual container part would of been in excess of 120F or so, even if light colored. My question is, would tomato plants have survived in general in these conditions in an Earthtainer? And if so, what would of been realistic expectations. I had bought supplies for an Earthtainer prior to the summer, but as life has it.. my plan did not come to fruition. But... I am still planning on building it for early spring. I LOVE the idea of the H20 conservation, especially since we are in "end of times" drought conditions here in Central Texas. But, I would like to know that if next summer is another one of Apocalyptic heat, is it worth my trouble and time to set it up. In general I know the Earhtainers are fantastic. I specifically am asking for my type of heat scenarios in Central Texas. Thank you for your answers, insight, and thoughts.

October 29, 2011	#6
Direct Sunlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: N. Texas, Zone 8A Posts: 79	I wish I had it figured out. My fall tomatoes are now producing for the first time, now that there's a chance of frost every week. __________________ "Sure it grows where you are, but..."

October 27, 2011	#2
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	In my opinion, nothing produces in Texas during summers like we had with virtually every day 100 or more degrees and every night above 80 degrees for a low. The earth tainer can't change that part of the environment. Things it will do: allow you to get your spring growth on faster as the soil is above ground and hit directly by the sun warming it up much faster than a soil based garden. EARLY is EVERYTHING in Texas if you want any production. (May not apply to Pan handle Texans who have a series of issues that I've never had to deal with). What else it does is allow for less disease (no water on the leaves), miserly water consumption, and in my experience in last year and this year, get more production per plant. Further, in the Fall, I had at least a couple of plants survive the Inferno that are now producing again, as well as a fall replanted crop that are also producing. At least in my garden, this is harder to impossible to do because my soil beds face due south and get so much direct sun that by the time a fall crop can establish in the heat, it is too late for production. Right now my 6 ETs have more than 100 green tomatoes on them from full sized down to much smaller. They are still trying to produce new ones, but, I'm going to cut them back and pick off newer ones to concentrate the plant's energy on already developing tomatoes. Finally, if we get a quick one night light freeze, I'll pull all my tainers into a heated garage and pull them back out when it is warmer. This helped me extend the season by 3 weeks or more last year.

October 27, 2011	#3
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	BW, Even here in "milder" N. California, the Summer Sun is intense. Come July 1, I rig up a Coolaroo sun shade to help protect the plants: Seems to work pretty well, and I would think in Austin, it would also extend your growing Season. Raybo

October 27, 2011	#4
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	I would think being able to handcart 'tainers into the shade on scorcher days would help immensely. Inversely, as it gets colder, you could cart them into the sun. It might be best to put a rectangle of plywood underneath to support the 'tainer before moving it...a bit of weight there.

October 29, 2011	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I dont find it feasible to mess with tomateos in 100 plus heat here in the Austin area. All you get is a plant that drops blossoms. Worth