My tomato gardening secrets allow easier picking & choke out most weeds – mine reach 6 to 8 feet and have huge yields
A HORTICULTURIST with a knack for growing tomatoes has spilled the details on how to make for easier pickings and keep out weeds.
The gardening tips also boast growing plants from six to eight feet tall.
Redditor Pinkd20 posted the advice in a comment on the social media platform.
CAGED IN
The gardening fan recommended using a specific type of set-up to get the best tomatoes.
“If you live where you only uses cages for supports and not keeping critters out, consider horizontal tomato cages,” they wrote.
“They allow easier picking and can be removed to work the soil in spring. Tomatoes planted densely will choke out most weeds, except vines, if you give them plenty of food, water, and full sun.
“I regularly plant 16 [or more] tomato plants in a four-by-12 bed. When planting tomato plants, buy the tallest you can buy in your price range and strip off all but the top leaves.
“Bury them up to just below the top leaves and wrap a strip of newspaper around the stem at ground level to protect against pests. Everything below ground will become root.”
TOO MUCH TOO SOON
Pinkd20 warned to avoid going to one gardening step too soon in order to avoid pests.
“Don’t mulch until the plants are well established, because mulch like straw can attract some pests that hurt small seedlings,” the tomato pro said.
The Redditor also recommended how to optimize watering and keep soil in the condition to yield better crops.
“Add a soaker hose before the plants get too large. Water them during droughts to keep up production,” they advised.
“Good soil is important. Compost as a soil additive is important. Without these you can’t get a good yield.
“However, miracle grow and other high nitrogen fertilizers can feed plant growth. These can be taken in by all parts of the plant. I spray miracle grow directly on to the plants”
LIFESAVER ADVICE
Pinkd20 said by following these tips, they’ve noticed a significantly healthier tomato plant.
“My tomatoes can reach six to eight feet in height and have huge yields from all parts of the plant.
“Don’t worry too much about suckers on tomatoes. On large plants they can produce fruit.
“When you have green tomatoes that are big enough but haven’t ripened yet, add a store bought overripe tomato to the garden near the plants to kick start the ripening process.”
PEP IN YOUR STEP
She also gave advice that could work on other crops, including peppers.
“A general note for tomatoes, but also more important for peppers: If there is any sort of concrete, cement block, or rocks near your garden, you may need to add sulfur to balance the PH.
“Peppers generally respond very well to sulfur.”
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon’s Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa’s Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.