I typically dig a really deep hole. I put something that will hold water in the bottom (coconut hulls, peat moss, styrofoam peanuts, etc). I also use cornstalks or pine cones just because they are usually laying around handy. Water crystals are “AWESOME” to toss in too. This is so there will always be water down deep for the roots and the plants will never get water stressed. Then I toss in a handful of fertilizer (usually tomato-tone) and cover it with a couple paper towels. The roots will grow down into this. Then I add a few inches of manure. Then I add good dirt (usually miracle grow garden soil. I get good indeterminate plants that are stocky and about a foot tall. I pinch off all of the leaves except the very topmost one. Don’t feel sad. It will grow back like crazy!Then I plant it deep with only that one leaf peaking above the ground. The rest of the plant will turn to roots and give you one incredible tomato plant. I have had highly productive 12’ plants.
You should sucker it some, especially down low after its established so you don’t get blight. A little bit of lime while planting will help prevent blossom end rot.
I have my preferences on tomatoes. I’m kinda old fashioned. Costeluto Genovese for slicing. San Marzano or Super Marzano’s for sauce/paste. I do like Juliet hybrids for salads and sauce. They are larger than a cherry but smaller than a roma. They are really prolific. I’ve easily got 45 lbs from a single plant.
Try it and in the summer/fall let me know what you think.
I don’t grow tomatoes. I just thought I’d throw that formula for tomatoes in there because its inventor, Dale Nelson, a local weatherman here is famous for his.
Thank you, though. :)
“You should sucker it some”
What does that mean?