Question for those that have grown tomatoes

MommyToAshley wrote: Ashley's tomato plants are getting bigger... but there about 20 of them in a little window planter. Do I need to separate them? If so, how?

Also, has anyone ever used those upside down hanging baskets that you see advertised on TV -- where the plants actually hang upside down? I am thinking of using those so I won't have to dig up the yard, but don't know anyone that has tried them.

PrairieMom replied: My parents plant tomatoes in large wooden planters, the kind that look like barrels, and have had good luck with that. As far as the upside down planters, I THINK you have to use special seeds or plant directly into them or something.

holley79 replied: How big are the plants now? If they are still small enough they can be dug out and replanted. They won't work in the upside down planters, we tried though last year and it was a bust. Do you have tomatoe cages for them?

PrairieMom replied: Oh, also, you should thin out the seedlings to about an inch apart at least.

I just planted my seedlings in toilet paper tubes that I stood upright, and out about 3 seeds in each. My seedlings are still pretty small, but I just thinned them to 2 per tube. When they get real big and strong I will thin them to one per tube before planting them in my garden.

holley79 replied: What a good idea, Tara. I didn't think about TP rolls. Will have to remember that one for next year.

PrairieMom replied:
I saved them up all winter. I used them instead of peatmoss pots, or plastic pots, they are holding the soil and water, and keep the roots in, pluss they bio-degrade, so you can just put the whole roll in the ground when you re-plant them in the garden.
I re-used plastic ground coffee buckets, put 8 or 9 tubes in each one, filled the tubes with dirt and planted.

holley79 replied:
Well I just made a note of it for next year. I know we go through plenty of TP so why not re-use them for something.

PrairieMom replied:
thats what I figured. It goes right along with my recycling / composting kick I am on.

holley79 replied: Nothing wrong with that at all. We have a compost pile at the back of our property. Let me tell you, my spinich has never looked better.

PrairieMom replied:
I can't wait to make my compost bin, I have it all planned out. I don't really have much room, so it is only going to be 3 x3. I have been saving scraps and paper all winter. My plastic bins are nearly over flowing.
I am also vermicomposting, that is super cool and fun for Ben. He loves feeding my worms: .

My3LilMonkeys replied: I am jealous of you all - I love the smell of tomato plants!!! We buy tomato plants instead of starting from seeds so I won't get them for at least a month or more yet.

my2monkeyboys replied: Tara, what is vermicomposting? That sounds like something Will would love!

I agree about the tomato bags not working so well -- I'd stick with large containers (outdoor trash cans work well - just drill a few drainage holes in the bottom) or plant them in the yard. The main thing is make sure they get plenty of sun and water. Add some all-purpose fert once a month and you'll have plenty!

PrairieMom replied:
its composting with worms.
it sounds really gross, but it is really fun. You buy a special bin and red worms, then compost your kitchen scraps in it. I have been doing it since the end of Jan and already have a bucket of compost that is nearly ready. It is so cool to see how the worms break down the food and make "dirt" out of it. right now we have lots of little worm eggs too.

my2monkeyboys replied: Really? Cool! Where do you get it from???

PrairieMom replied:
I got my stuff online... I think from e-bay
this is what I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Tray-Worm-Bin-for-Co...1QQcmdZViewItem
and the worms from http://www.unclejimswormfarm.com/

We have really been enjoying it. We have many many happy healthy worms. They really speed up the composting process. There is a lot of good "how to" info on Uncle Jim's site.

my2monkeyboys replied: I'm definitely going to check that out... thanks!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: BLACH... figures I work late when there's a gardening question!! lol

I didn't read the other posts.. so sorry if I repeat...

seperate them to one per pod, if you're using the pods... or per little pot... and replant then deeper. You can cover the stem up to the leaves... as the little hairs actually grow into roots.

Good luck! I have about 8 plants in my kitchen right now... and I've used the hanging thing. it's a hassle... but kind of neat. i won't be using it again though.

OH - And don't forget to always wash your hands after touching them... tomato plants are actually VERY poisonous... they're part of the nightshade family, as are potatoes and peppers.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: I was checking out uncle jim's site, sounds like you can get the worms and put them right in your gardens...veggies and flowers...very neat I think Ill come back to this when its time to plant!!

PrairieMom replied:
i have read places tho that red worms don't live well in regular garden soil tho, becuase they live so close to the top to the soil, and that earth worms would be better for regualr garden use. I think Uncle Jim has earth worms too.

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Thanks for the info!