Spray for tomatos - Page 3

sergeant69 · April 10, 2014

Originally Posted by feldon30

In Houston, we had foliar fungal diseases galore due to torrential endless rains. Everything was in 10" tall raised beds, with a thick layer of wheat straw mulch and soaker hoses for watering. After 4 years of loading the soil with organics and compost, you could dig down 2 feet and my terrible brown play-doh clay had been transformed into good soil.

The Plot

Now I'm once again starting from scratch, but this time on bright red clay. After debating the subject, I am going to try going without raised beds and just grow in the ground. I've got a lot of space -- 30x9 with a walkway through the middle -- and hope to plant all of it. We've had a landscaper come out and clear the space and is delivering several cubic yards of sandy garden mix to loosen things up. He's got a hydraulic tiller and is going to mix it all together.

The plot is on a very gradual slope, so I'm hoping that water will drain and I won't have a "bowl" effect. As an insurance policy, I'm considering digging a 6 foot trench starting from the lowest corner of the cleared area and headed downslope and laying a French drain (a PVC pipe with holes in it and rocks around it so it doesn't get clogged). That way if water does try to pool in the beds, it will run out the bottom.

Fall Crops

After 3 years of trying in Houston, I was pretty much done with fall crops of tomatoes. You'd plant the poor things out in late July and by the time you got any tomatoes, we were getting cool evenings that just sapped the flavor from them. Do you think I should try fall tomatoes here?

I've got my pink PL beefsteaks started and holding back a few varieties for an April 9th sowing. I know it's a long season, but do you think I should do a May sowing of tomato seeds?

Spraying

Again I'm hoping I don't have to spray like crazy. As it is, I will have to spray for rabbits which is something I've never dealt with. Half of me wants to just grow a strip of carrots for them.

do it! they go great braised in a little red wine over a bed of medium coals.

April 10, 2014	#31
sergeant69 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: south texas Posts: 203	Originally Posted by feldon30 In Houston, we had foliar fungal diseases galore due to torrential endless rains. Everything was in 10" tall raised beds, with a thick layer of wheat straw mulch and soaker hoses for watering. After 4 years of loading the soil with organics and compost, you could dig down 2 feet and my terrible brown play-doh clay had been transformed into good soil. The Plot Now I'm once again starting from scratch, but this time on bright red clay. After debating the subject, I am going to *try going without* raised beds and just grow in the ground. I've got a lot of space -- 30x9 with a walkway through the middle -- and hope to plant all of it. We've had a landscaper come out and clear the space and is delivering several cubic yards of sandy garden mix to loosen things up. He's got a hydraulic tiller and is going to mix it all together. The plot is on a very gradual slope, so I'm hoping that water will drain and I won't have a "bowl" effect. As an insurance policy, I'm considering digging a 6 foot trench starting from the lowest corner of the cleared area and headed downslope and laying a French drain (a PVC pipe with holes in it and rocks around it so it doesn't get clogged). That way if water does try to pool in the beds, it will run out the bottom. Fall Crops After 3 years of trying in Houston, I was pretty much done with fall crops of tomatoes. You'd plant the poor things out in late July and by the time you got any tomatoes, we were getting cool evenings that just sapped the flavor from them. Do you think I should try fall tomatoes here? I've got my pink PL beefsteaks started and holding back a few varieties for an April 9th sowing. I know it's a long season, but do you think I should do a May sowing of tomato seeds? Spraying** Again I'm hoping I don't have to spray like crazy. As it is, I will have to spray for rabbits which is something I've never dealt with. Half of me wants to just grow a strip of carrots for them. do it! they go great braised in a little red wine over a bed of medium coals.