TOMATOES - Tomato Gurus

Tomato Showdown: Better Boy vs Early Girl - Which is the Perfect Fit for Your Garden?

Better Boy vs Early Girl - A Tomato Showdown As tomato season approaches, gardeners across the country are preparing their gardens and deciding which varieties to grow. Two popular choices among home growers are Better Boy and Early Girl tomatoes. Both of these hybrid varieties have been praised for their

TOMATOES

Tomato Varieties: From Determinate to Indeterminate & Dark to Yellow – Research Your Options Before Planting!

Tomato enthusiasts have long debated the merits of determinate versus indeterminate varieties. While many gardeners prefer the reliable production and compact size of determinates, others are drawn to the larger fruits and greater yields of indeterminates. The debate is further complicated by the fact that some tomato varieties can be

ROOTSTOCK

Rootstock Selection for Short Season Tomatoes: What to Consider and Recommended Varieties

Rootstock selection is an important part of successful tomato production, especially in short seasons. The RST series, Estamino, and Fortamino are all good choices for shorter growing seasons. Last year, I grew Fortamino but the seeds didn’t do well at all. In Northern California, side grafting wasn’t very

GARDENING

Get Ready for a New Season of Gardening -Choose from Tomatoes, Peaches, Corn, Zinnias & More!

It's that time of year again when gardeners all over the world are planning what to grow in their gardens. From NE Ohio to North Central Mississippi, everyone has their own ideas and preferences for what they will plant this year. For many gardeners, it starts with tomatoes. Dwarf Mr

GARDENING

How Adding Volcanic Ash or Rock Dust Can Improve Your Garden's Soil Quality

Volcanic ash and rock dust are popular materials for gardening, particularly for growing tomatoes. Many gardeners have experienced great results from using volcanic ash or rock dust in their gardens, so it is worth considering if you're looking to get the best out of your plants. The soil around Mount

GARDENING

Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Hot Climates and Troubleshooting Challenges

Growing tomatoes can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be incredibly frustrating when things don't go as planned. This is the case for many tomato growers who are faced with the same problem every year: their tomatoes start out fine and then fizzle out. It can be difficult

GARDENING

Planting Tomatoes in the Garden: Tips, Tricks & How to Harvest You Hard Work!

Planting season is upon us and it's always exciting to see the progress of our plants. For many, this year has been a challenge due to cold weather and other factors. But with dedication and hard work, we can still have a successful season. Tomatoes are one of the most

GARDENING

Tips and Tricks for Growing Delicious Tomatoes in 2021 - A Season of Unexpected Findings

This year's tomato season had its ups and downs due to fluctuating weather conditions. A couple of plants purchased from a local nursery threw averages off since they were not what the labels indicated. The two most productive tomatoes in the garden, which turned out to be neither Brandywine Red

GARDENING

Protect Your Tomato Harvest: How to Pick and Ripen Green Tomatoes Before Freezing Weather Arrives

Tomatoes are a great addition to any garden, but the cooler temperatures of late can make it difficult for them to ripen fully. If daytime temperatures remain warm and the plants still look healthy, then you can leave them on the vine with the hope that they will blush before

EARTHBOX

Grow Tomatoes in an Earthbox for Optimal Results and a Plentiful Harvest

Earthboxes are a great way to grow tomatoes, and I can vouch for their effectiveness after 15 years of experience. They are expensive at $35, but they last a long time - mine have been in use for 10-20 years with no signs of damage. This is compared to other

GARDENING

Grow Tomatoes Easily in an Earthbox - It's Self-Watering and Long Lasting!

Earthboxes are a great way to grow tomatoes. They are expensive but last for many years and can accommodate any type of tomato plant. To get the best results, it is important to use the right fertilizer, such as liquid Miracle Grow or a bloom booster formula. It is also

RIPENING

Ripening Unripen Tomatoes: Strategies, Tips & Recipes

It's great to hear if you can ripen tomatoes off the vine, but it's a gamble for sure! You may be wondering if your remaining green tomatoes will ripen. Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to tell whether or not a tomato will ripen off the vine. It all depends

GARDENING

Managing High Heat Damage in Garden Plants: Tips to Ensure Successful Fruiting with Kobocha Squash

Heat damage can be a major problem for gardeners, especially those growing tomatoes and vegetables. High temperatures combined with intense sunlight can cause blossom drop in these plants, preventing them from fruiting. This is what may have been happening to the fruit of one gardener's kobocha squash, fairy sweet mama,

GARDENING

What to Consider When Deciding Whether To Remove Fused Blooms From Your Tomatoes

Fused blooms are a common occurrence in tomato plants and can be caused by a variety of factors. They occur when two or more flowers fuse together, resulting in an abnormally large fruit. Some gardeners prefer to remove these fused blooms, while others choose to leave them on the plant

TOMATOES

Finding the Right Tomato Variety for Your Baskets: Explore Options beyond Crovarese

Crovarese is a grape-style tomato that is advertised to be soft-skinned and sweet and tangy. Unfortunately, it has been found to be mealy and flavorless for two seasons in a row. It is important to find a tomato of similar size but with good flavor to fill a basket quickly

TOMATOES

How to Identify and Treat Pest Damage on Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a delicious and nutritious addition to any garden. However, they can be susceptible to various pests that can damage the plant and reduce yields. One of these pests is thrips, which can cause significant damage if left unchecked. In order to identify thrips damage, it is important to

GARDENING

Growing Cherokee Purple Tomatoes in Earthboxes: Tips for High Yields and Quality Taste

Growing Cherokee Purple tomatoes in Earthboxes has been a successful endeavor for many years. However, last year the yield was disappointing and the plants were acting strangely. The dozen tomatoes that came early had large, oddly shaped ridges and tasted fine, but no more flowers grew on the plant. This

TOMATOES

Growing Shannon's Tomatoes This Year? Find Out How to Reap Impressive Results

Tomatoes are a beloved staple of many gardens, and this year is no exception. Shannon's is one such variety that has been producing impressive results for gardeners all over the world. This season, it appears to be even more impressive than usual, with some plants reaching heights never seen before.

TOMATOES

Beat the Heat with These Tips: Keep Your Tomato Plants Healthy Despite Rising Temperatures in Central Indiana

As temperatures in Central Indiana are set to rise next week, many tomato growers may be worried about their plants. With the heat wave expected to last for over 1.5 weeks, it is important to take steps now to ensure that your tomatoes can withstand the higher temperatures and

GREENHOUSE

Tips for Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse - Consider Plant Size and Light Level

Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse can be a great way to extend the growing season and protect plants from pests. However, it is important to make sure that the environment inside the greenhouse is suitable for the type of tomato you are growing. If light levels are too low, ripening

TOMATOES

Discover Sunset Honey Bombs: A Delicious & Crunchy Cherry Tomato Variety

Sunset Honey Bombs are a type of cherry tomato that has become increasingly popular in recent years. They are known for their sweet flavor and crunchy texture, making them a great addition to salads and salsas. While the other varieties from Sunset - Flavor Bombs and Sugar Bombs - have

TOMATOES

Protecting Your Tomato Plants from Pesky Rabbits - Creative Solutions to Deter Them!

It is always a challenge to identify the culprit when your tomato plants are disappearing. In this case, it appears that pesky rabbits were the cause of the problem. After installing a game camera and wrapping the remaining plants in secure cages, the issue was solved. Rabbits can be quite

PLANTING

Planting Tomatoes in Coastal Southern California: How to Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes All Year Round

When it comes to growing tomatoes in coastal Southern California, the best time to start is usually mid-March. This gives you enough time for the plants to get established before the warmer weather arrives and allows you to avoid spring sogginess and disease. Taking advantage of the long sunny fall

TOMATOES

Explore All the Delicious Dark Cherry Varieties For Your Garden

Black Cherry and Chocolate Cherry are two popular varieties of tomatoes. Black Cherry is known for its sweet taste, large size, and low splitting rate. Chocolate Cherry is an improved version of Black Cherry, with a complex flavor and good sized cherries. Those who have grown both varieties can compare

GARDENING

Experiment and Enjoy Growing Tomatoes in Your Small Backyard

Growing tomatoes in a small backyard can be a rewarding experience. Last year, I planted Crnkovic Yugoslavian, Wes, and Amana Orange tomatoes in raised beds. The Amana Orange was especially delicious with its sprightly citrus flavor. Unfortunately, the hot and dry summer climate of Southern Oregon, combined with the annual