..And On a Lighter Note - The EarthTainer "Farm" July 4 (pics)

rnewste · July 4, 2010

July is kicking into high gear with temps in the low 90s the past few days. The Sun shade over the main bed is working fine, with most all the plants now being topped at 72 inches.

From left to right: Druzba, Purple Haze F4, JC Special C-Tex, and Japanese Black Trifele

Now harvesting: JBT, Early Girl, Bloody Butcher, Danko, and German Red Strawberry. Goose Creek is now blushing:

Not without issues however, as my Brandywine Cowlicks are developing several bronze stems, and one Goose Creek plant is wilting:

The mistake I made was waiting until June 20 to apply Serenade, and Daconil. Next year on May 1, I am going to do a regimen of: Excel LG, Serenade, Actinovate, and Daconil on a rotating basis every Saturday morning. If I don't develop major amounts of infection, I will drop the Daconil from the spraying rotation cycle before fruit develops.

My real standout 'Tainer houses a pair of Big Beef plants. This 'Tainer is located in the worst spot of the yard, alongside the Hot Tub, and in addition, was Number 31 planted, a full month behind the other tomatoes put in beginning March 17. Like a green forest inside, and loaded with tomatoes that are hard to spot:

I've had to add second cages to the Bell Peppers as they are now over the top of the first cage:

Another lession I've learned is that even with the large size of the EarthTainers, 6 Pepper plants makes it too crowded, and next Season, I will back it down to 4 plants each:

The first "crop" of sweetcorn has matured and is ready for picking today:

Most stalks have developed 2 ears this year, where last Season, only a few doubled up:

And the hand pollination assist seems to have paid off:

One of the "fringe" benefits of the plants growing tall now is that I can scamper in to, and out of the Hot Tub sans-bathing suit, without hearing the neighborhood-lady "shrieking" anymore.

Raybo

remy · July 4, 2010

It all looks great. The corn really amazes me. Maybe I can get my Gary to make me a few earthtainers for it.
Remy

rnewste · July 4, 2010

Remy,

Yeah, put him to work!!!

Actually, the corn I remember getting locally when we lived in Orchard Park that was pretty darn good.

Out here, there isn't a Commercial cornfield within 100 miles, as everything is trucked in to so-called "Farmer's Markets". That is the primary reason I devote so many 'Tainers to bi-color sweetcorn - - just not available out here any other way.

Raybo

Timmah! · July 5, 2010

Looking good, Ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh85R-S-dh8

shlacm · July 5, 2010

My 5 yo says: "wow!"

rnewste · July 5, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmah!

Looking good, Ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh85R-S-dh8

Timmah,

Thanks a lot for the Video. Elmo and I have a lot in common....

Raybo

recruiterg · July 6, 2010

Too funny Raybo...more power to you.

Pat

rnewste · July 6, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruiterg

Too funny Raybo...more power to you.

Pat

Hi Pat,

I just try to have a good time in life, and get along with most folks. If I can contribute something in the process, then I am a "Happy Camper". I believe that one needs to step back and laugh at themselves once in a while - - or life can get too serious. "Live long - and prosper".

Raybo

Gobig_or_Gohome_toms · July 6, 2010

Great Pics Raybo I need to get out and snap somemore pics my plants are reaching the 6 foot plus mark and all have fruit set but still 3 weeks probably until that first taste I hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labor right now!!!

Craig

amideutch · July 7, 2010

Streaking in the "Tainer Patch".

Ray, are you sure your sudden appearance in the buff wasn't too much for "Goose Creek" to handle?

Anyway, another outstanding harvest at the "Tainer Farm". Well done my friend. Ami

rnewste · July 7, 2010

Ami,

Instead of Goose Creek - I had kind of identified with "Big Beef"

Raybo

amideutch · July 7, 2010

Ray, I'm not going to go there.

Anyway it's going to be another beautiful sunny day in Germany today. And the plants are loving it. Ami

Talon1189 · July 7, 2010

Plants look very healthy Raybo........ The mater leafs probably curled when they saw you in the buff for the first time

................

rnewste · July 7, 2010

talon,

..gives the term: "Blossom End Rot" a whole new meaning...

Raybo

sprtsguy76 · July 9, 2010

Ray I had my first Goose Creek today and it knocked my socks off!

It was the best tasting tomato of the season so far and it was grown in a 12 gallon pot! I have to be honest, I had my doubts about GC, but I dont anymore! Funny thing is the plant itself has gone south for some weird reason, but there is plenty of fruit still on it and they should be ripening within the next week or two.

Damon

July 4, 2010	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	..And On a Lighter Note - The EarthTainer "Farm" July 4 (pics) July is kicking into high gear with temps in the low 90s the past few days. The Sun shade over the main bed is working fine, with most all the plants now being topped at 72 inches. From left to right: Druzba, Purple Haze F4, JC Special C-Tex, and Japanese Black Trifele Now harvesting: JBT, Early Girl, Bloody Butcher, Danko, and German Red Strawberry. Goose Creek is now blushing: Not without issues however, as my Brandywine Cowlicks are developing several bronze stems, and one Goose Creek plant is wilting: The mistake I made was waiting until June 20 to apply Serenade, and Daconil. Next year on May 1, I am going to do a regimen of: Excel LG, Serenade, Actinovate, and Daconil on a rotating basis every Saturday morning. If I don't develop major amounts of infection, I will drop the Daconil from the spraying rotation cycle before fruit develops. My real standout 'Tainer houses a pair of Big Beef plants. This 'Tainer is located in the worst spot of the yard, alongside the Hot Tub, and in addition, was Number 31 planted, a full month behind the other tomatoes put in beginning March 17. Like a green forest inside, and loaded with tomatoes that are hard to spot: I've had to add second cages to the Bell Peppers as they are now over the top of the first cage: Another lession I've learned is that even with the large size of the EarthTainers, 6 Pepper plants makes it too crowded, and next Season, I will back it down to 4 plants each: The first "crop" of sweetcorn has matured and is ready for picking today: Most stalks have developed 2 ears this year, where last Season, only a few doubled up: And the hand pollination assist seems to have paid off: One of the "fringe" benefits of the plants growing tall now is that I can scamper in to, and out of the Hot Tub sans-bathing suit, without hearing the neighborhood-lady "shrieking" anymore. Raybo

July 4, 2010	#2
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	It all looks great. The corn really amazes me. Maybe I can get my Gary to make me a few earthtainers for it. Remy __________________ "I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop

July 7, 2010	#10
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Streaking in the "Tainer Patch". Ray, are you sure your sudden appearance in the buff wasn't too much for "Goose Creek" to handle? Anyway, another outstanding harvest at the "Tainer Farm". Well done my friend. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

July 7, 2010	#12
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Ray, I'm not going to go there. Anyway it's going to be another beautiful sunny day in Germany today. And the plants are loving it. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

July 7, 2010	#13
Talon1189 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Farmington, Michigan. Zone 5b/6a Posts: 421	Plants look very healthy Raybo........ The mater leafs probably curled when they saw you in the buff for the first time ................ __________________ Always looking for a better way to grow tomatoes ..........

July 4, 2010	#3
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Remy, Yeah, put him to work!!! Actually, the corn I remember getting locally when we lived in Orchard Park that was pretty darn good. Out here, there isn't a Commercial cornfield within 100 miles, as everything is trucked in to so-called "Farmer's Markets". That is the primary reason I devote so many 'Tainers to bi-color sweetcorn - - just not available out here any other way. Raybo

July 5, 2010	#4
Timmah! Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a Posts: 754	Looking good, Ray. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh85R-S-dh8

July 5, 2010	#5
shlacm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central VA Posts: 436	My 5 yo says: "wow!"

July 6, 2010	#7
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	Too funny Raybo...more power to you. Pat

July 6, 2010	#9
Gobig_or_Gohome_toms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zone 4 Lake Minnetonka, MN Posts: 967	Great Pics Raybo I need to get out and snap somemore pics my plants are reaching the 6 foot plus mark and all have fruit set but still 3 weeks probably until that first taste I hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labor right now!!! Craig

July 9, 2010	#15
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	Ray I had my first Goose Creek today and it knocked my socks off! It was the best tasting tomato of the season so far and it was grown in a 12 gallon pot! I have to be honest, I had my doubts about GC, but I dont anymore! Funny thing is the plant itself has gone south for some weird reason, but there is plenty of fruit still on it and they should be ripening within the next week or two. Damon