What have you learned from T-ville?

gssgarden · March 9, 2015

I'm sure this may take on a life of it's own so I hope it stays simple.

Over the years I've observed countless opinions about pruning, taste, disease control, ect.

What are a few of your tactics or lessons you've learned here? Regardless, they are all priceless to the user so I don't want to see this turning into a 'why would you do that?' thread. lol

1 - Grow lights in the garage. For years, 20ish, I always kept them inside until the last week before weening them outside in the sun. Last year was the first time I put them out in the cool garage after transplant. What a difference! Plants came out wonderful! Stocky, thick stemmed, dark green.

2 - Identifiing insects. Good or bad, it's always good to know what's on your plants. To be able to post a pic and have numerous responses, pics, and links in MINUTES is so helpful. I had no idea what an Assasin Bug was!! Sprayed them for a few years down here before I learned that they are helpful.

North Carolina is full of things I haven't seen compared to my years on Long Island.

3 - The use of Actinovate and Microhorzae. Both have been beneficial for me at time of plant out and during the growing season. Organic solutions are always welcome of course but these seem to give my plants the best chance for a healthy start.

I know just about EVERYTHING varies from garden to garden and my practices, will not suit others.

This may be kind of a shout out to say THANK YOU to all the kind hearted T-ville peeps!

Greg

oh, and don't believe anyone elses taste buds!! lol

rags57078 · March 9, 2015

I have learned that having a garden for 40+ years I don't know a thing other than how to grow plants

peppero · March 9, 2015

I've learned that there are a whole lot of folks that know a lot more about tomatoes than I do and I don't think I will ever catch up with them. I am trying though.

Another thing; there are a lot of kind, thoughtful and generous people on this forum.

jon

Sun City Linda · March 9, 2015

I've learned you can never have enough tomato seeds.

Ed of Somis · March 9, 2015

Like pep says...there are just so many cool gardeners. Some of them are very happy to send seeds to a total stranger...just because they might enjoy them.

stevenkh1 · March 9, 2015

Here's what I've learned:

1. this place has the most wonderful, helpful, and sharing human beings - all of whom have inspired me to be a vegetable gardener.

2. Carolyn & Craig are on tomato gods.

3. Craig's passion for A.W. Livingston has brought him back to life from near obsolescence - and I will be growing the early Livingston varieties up to 1900 this year.

bughunter99 · March 9, 2015

I've learned to read tomato evaluations by first considering where the poster lives. Stuff that people in the deep south swear by often does terrible for me.

Stacy

joseph · March 9, 2015

What I find fascinating about tomatoville are the social aspects... I am intrigued by what I think of as the religion of growing heirlooms. This is the only forum I participate in that has such a strong and vibrant heirloom oriented community. I see a tremendous amount of effort devoted by the members of this forum to purity and preservation work. I often question myself if I even belong in a forum like this: The token non-believer in the traditional tomato rituals.

I really like the insights that people here have into what varieties have the phenotypes that I am looking for. Y'all really fail regarding what will grow well in my garden, but you are great at pointing to varieties that are attractive to bumblebees.

Some of my most precious germplasm came from members of this group. I'm doing blasphemous things to it, but I make excuses for myself by saying that it is necessary because I live so close to the ecological limits of the tomato species.

KarenO · March 9, 2015

I have learned that I am not alone in my tomato obsession

As well I have learned that the folks here are incredibly generous with their knowledge, insights and seeds and I appreciate you all for what you have given me.
Karen

Starlight · March 9, 2015

Just in the short time I have been here I have learned alot.

I know that every time I come, there will be something new to read and learn about.

That I have tons to learn yet about tomatoes and peppers. That I know I will never catch up.

That you can do more than one graft. Which I am anxious to try. : )

That there are lots folks who are generous enough to share their experiences and knowledge which is more important to me than seeds most of the time. That they really want to see you succeed and share in your joy when you do and will pass you a tissue and more seed if you need it to try again.

To always keep an open mind.

That sharing is as much fun or funner that receiving.

The history lessons and the trials that some folks have gone through. I do so enjoy learning about the plants I am growing.

That if I want a chuckle for the day, just find a post by Worth. His sense of humor tickles me and makes me smile. : )

MrBig46 · March 10, 2015

I found that in the world is full of decent people.
Vladimír

Father'sDaughter · March 10, 2015

Once you find a tomato that scores a 10 for taste, find other Tomatoville members that feels the same about it, and then stalk them to see what other varieties they like. This is a much more reliable way to choose new varieties to grow. And no, I'm not telling which members I'm currently stalking 😜

The other important thing I've learned is that everyone has their own techniques for growing tomatoes. While you can start out by trying to copy someone else's methods, you need to be flexible enough eventually develop your own techniques--not just ones that work in your garden, but also ones that fit into your life.

I started off trying to follow "the rules," but I now do some things that others frown down upon (crowding, pruning, top watering with the lawn sprinkler system). I get to try a lot of different varieties this way, I don't have to worry about watering when we go away, and I find pruning and tying tasks very meditative and relaxing. While my yields may suffer, I still get more than enough tomatoes each year, and I'm still finding pleasure in growing them!

crazyoldgooseman · March 11, 2015

I found that in the world is full of decent people.
Vladimír

that is what i was thinking of typing!

Redbaron · March 11, 2015

I learned everything here.

It has become my obsession.

NarnianGarden · March 11, 2015

What have I learned here? Everything that I know about tomato growing today

Thanks to all the kind folks who have blessed me with abundance of experience, wisdom and last but not least, seeds!

March 9, 2015	#1
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,821	What have you learned from T-ville? I'm sure this may take on a life of it's own so I hope it stays simple. Over the years I've observed countless opinions about pruning, taste, disease control, ect. What are a few of your tactics or lessons you've learned here? Regardless, they are all priceless to the user so I don't want to see this turning into a 'why would you do that?' thread. lol 1 - Grow lights in the garage. For years, 20ish, I always kept them inside until the last week before weening them outside in the sun. Last year was the first time I put them out in the cool garage after transplant. What a difference! Plants came out wonderful! Stocky, thick stemmed, dark green. 2 - Identifiing insects. Good or bad, it's always good to know what's on your plants. To be able to post a pic and have numerous responses, pics, and links in MINUTES is so helpful. I had no idea what an Assasin Bug was!! Sprayed them for a few years down here before I learned that they are helpful. North Carolina is full of things I haven't seen compared to my years on Long Island. 3 - The use of Actinovate and Microhorzae. Both have been beneficial for me at time of plant out and during the growing season. Organic solutions are always welcome of course but these seem to give my plants the best chance for a healthy start. I know just about EVERYTHING varies from garden to garden and my practices, will not suit others. This may be kind of a shout out to say THANK YOU to all the kind hearted T-ville peeps! Greg oh, and don't believe anyone elses taste buds!! lol

March 9, 2015	#7
bughunter99 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: zone 5 Posts: 821	Location Matters I've learned to read tomato evaluations by first considering where the poster lives. Stuff that people in the deep south swear by often does terrible for me. Stacy

March 11, 2015	#13
crazyoldgooseman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southern Maryland 7a Posts: 200	I found that in the world is full of decent people. Vladimír that is what i was thinking of typing! __________________ Anybody see where I sat my beer? -crazyoldgooseman

March 11, 2015	#14
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I learned everything here. It has become my obsession. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

March 9, 2015	#2
rags57078 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: South Dakota Posts: 278	I have learned that having a garden for 40+ years I don't know a thing other than how to grow plants

March 9, 2015	#3
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	I've learned that there are a whole lot of folks that know a lot more about tomatoes than I do and I don't think I will ever catch up with them. I am trying though. Another thing; there are a lot of kind, thoughtful and generous people on this forum. jon

March 9, 2015	#4
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	I've learned you can never have enough tomato seeds.

March 9, 2015	#5
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Like pep says...there are just so many cool gardeners. Some of them are very happy to send seeds to a total stranger...just because they might enjoy them.

March 9, 2015	#6
stevenkh1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 172	Here's what I've learned: 1. this place has the most wonderful, helpful, and sharing human beings - all of whom have inspired me to be a vegetable gardener. 2. Carolyn & Craig are on tomato gods. 3. Craig's passion for A.W. Livingston has brought him back to life from near obsolescence - and I will be growing the early Livingston varieties up to 1900 this year.

March 9, 2015	#8
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	What I find fascinating about tomatoville are the social aspects... I am intrigued by what I think of as the religion of growing heirlooms. This is the only forum I participate in that has such a strong and vibrant heirloom oriented community. I see a tremendous amount of effort devoted by the members of this forum to purity and preservation work. I often question myself if I even belong in a forum like this: The token non-believer in the traditional tomato rituals. I really like the insights that people here have into what varieties have the phenotypes that I am looking for. Y'all really fail regarding what will grow well in my garden, but you are great at pointing to varieties that are attractive to bumblebees. Some of my most precious germplasm came from members of this group. I'm doing blasphemous things to it, but I make excuses for myself by saying that it is necessary because I live so close to the ecological limits of the tomato species.

March 9, 2015	#9
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,922	I have learned that I am not alone in my tomato obsession As well I have learned that the folks here are incredibly generous with their knowledge, insights and seeds and I appreciate you all for what you have given me. Karen

March 9, 2015	#10
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	Just in the short time I have been here I have learned alot. I know that every time I come, there will be something new to read and learn about. That I have tons to learn yet about tomatoes and peppers. That I know I will never catch up. That you can do more than one graft. Which I am anxious to try. : ) That there are lots folks who are generous enough to share their experiences and knowledge which is more important to me than seeds most of the time. That they really want to see you succeed and share in your joy when you do and will pass you a tissue and more seed if you need it to try again. To always keep an open mind. That sharing is as much fun or funner that receiving. The history lessons and the trials that some folks have gone through. I do so enjoy learning about the plants I am growing. That if I want a chuckle for the day, just find a post by Worth. His sense of humor tickles me and makes me smile. : )

March 10, 2015	#11
MrBig46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Czech republic Posts: 2,525	I found that in the world is full of decent people. Vladimír

March 10, 2015	#12
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,917	Once you find a tomato that scores a 10 for taste, find other Tomatoville members that feels the same about it, and then stalk them to see what other varieties they like. This is a much more reliable way to choose new varieties to grow. And no, I'm not telling which members I'm currently stalking 😜 The other important thing I've learned is that everyone has their own techniques for growing tomatoes. While you can start out by trying to copy someone else's methods, you need to be flexible enough eventually develop your own techniques--not just ones that work in your garden, but also ones that fit into your life. I started off trying to follow "the rules," but I now do some things that others frown down upon (crowding, pruning, top watering with the lawn sprinkler system). I get to try a lot of different varieties this way, I don't have to worry about watering when we go away, and I find pruning and tying tasks very meditative and relaxing. While my yields may suffer, I still get more than enough tomatoes each year, and I'm still finding pleasure in growing them!

March 11, 2015	#15
NarnianGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Finland, EU Posts: 2,550	What have I learned here? Everything that I know about tomato growing today Thanks to all the kind folks who have blessed me with abundance of experience, wisdom and last but not least, seeds!