Tomato roots

I pulled up some of my tomatoes that were still producing so that I can move trellises and get ready to replant. This bed is a little deeper, maybe 10 inches with a bunch of layers of papers, cardboard and Paoerwoven feed sacks on the bottom. I am sure the feed sacks at least are still intact as I took apart another bed with them on the bottom and there was no sign of them decomposing yet.

Anyway all these roots were in the top few inches, laid out like they were in the bed. The side of the bed would have been on the left and the roots went at least 2 foot in one direction and over 3 foot in the other(this is in a 4x8 bed). The square is made of 1 foot rulers to show the size. These were planted one per square on on a west side trellis and this plant was between 2 other toms with similiar roots, except I had to cut some of the other roots so as not to disturb my garlic.

That's a great picture .

Real evidence for it shows to all just how shallow tomatoes can successfuly grow in Mel's beds , providing the nutrients and watering are correct .

It should help all the old timers who garden as if in the 1800's have some confidence in ANSFG & move on up to something better

YAY! That's what mine looked like too, but I wasn't smart enough to get a picture especially with rulers for a size guide!