It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

justinr7 6/5/2013, 10:26 pm

Here is a pic from today (6/5/13). This is our first attempt at SFG. We are still learning all we can. We just harvested our first zucchini today! My tomatoes (bushes) are starting to really get big. I am thinking about trimming them skinny, putting in tall stakes and tying them off as they grow high. Any advice on tomato plant control?

It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie! 2013-015

It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie! 2013-015

southern gardener 6/6/2013, 12:40 am

wow! your garden looks amazing!! congrats! what's in your mix? love the green lush plants!! bounce

cindre2000 6/6/2013, 9:13 am

I only grow indeterminate varieties, so I am not sure how accurate this info is for determinates, but:

I trellis all my tomato's on 6' trellises, rather than cages, so they don't slump. I trim all the lower leaves off as it grows, until the lowest leaf is 2' off the ground. I continuously prune suckers for the first 2-3 feet as well.

Staking your plants (I would go with at least 6' stakes) and trimming the lower leaves will help keep disease and pests at bay.

mschaef 6/6/2013, 11:14 am

There are lots of thread on pruning tomatoes. One thing that I have learn and try to do is where ever the sucker starts between the main steam and a branch I cut it out. That helps keep it under control.

Pepper 6/6/2013, 11:23 am

justinr7 it totally depends on the TYPE tomato you planted. If you look on the tag it will tell you the type.

Determinates are a 'bush' type they produce almost all their fruit near the same time. These you do NOT want to "sucker". Here is a great info video on tomatoes it shows you how to sucker and string indeterminate tomatoes(which are more like a vine).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJgA4n-sCE8&feature=youtu.be

By the way your garden looks GREAT keep up the good work It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie! 3170584802

It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie! 3170584802

Sponsored content

It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

Re: It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

Re: It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

Re: It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

Re: It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!

Re: It's becoming exciting for this NC newbie!


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.