Growing Fall TomatoesGrowing Fall Tomatoes

By Dianne Norman for Wabash Antiques & FeedBy Dianne Norman for Wabash Antiques & Feed

Presentation Outline Presentation Outline

• Materials Materials

• LocationLocation

• Raised BedsRaised Beds

• ContainersContainers

• Soil & CompostSoil & Compost

• WaterWater

• Varieties of TomatoesVarieties of Tomatoes

Initial Materials Needed Initial Materials Needed Amendments

• Humic Acid (granular)Humic Acid (granular)• Flower & garden Bed soilFlower & garden Bed soil• Leaf Mold CompostLeaf Mold Compost• Composted manureComposted manure• MicroLife 6-2-4MicroLife 6-2-4• Dry MolassesDry Molasses• Super SeaweedSuper Seaweed• Minerals Plus (once every Minerals Plus (once every

3 years)3 years)

Tools & Materials

• ShovelShovel• Garden rakeGarden rake• Stirrup hoe for weedsStirrup hoe for weeds• WheelbarrowWheelbarrow• Hose and or drip lineHose and or drip line• GlovesGloves• Cinder blocks or other.Cinder blocks or other.

LocationLocation

• Close to house if possible.Close to house if possible.

• Availability of water.Availability of water.

• At least 5-6 hours of sunshine.At least 5-6 hours of sunshine.

• Good drainage.Good drainage.

• Check pH of soil.Check pH of soil.

• Soil test if neededSoil test if needed

Benefits of a Raised BedBenefits of a Raised Bed

• Easier to weed Easier to weed

• No tilling required (no soil compaction from No tilling required (no soil compaction from stepping on the soilstepping on the soil

• Easier to work (no bending over) Easier to work (no bending over)

• Build your own soil Build your own soil

• Warms earlier in the spring and stays Warms earlier in the spring and stays warmer in the fall warmer in the fall

Raised BedsRaised Beds1. Get a soil test

2. Clear area for measuring.

3. Place newspapers.

4. Or remove any grass

5. Apply Humate & Dry Molasses to soil.

Bed MeasurementsBed Measurements

• Must be a comfortable size

• Easy access from both sides of the bed

• Raised bed 8’’ to 12’’

• Constructed with durable products

• Location with available sunshine

Construction MaterialConstruction Material

BrickBrick Wood

PlasticPlastic

Hay BalesHay BalesCinder BlocksCinder Blocks

Benefits of Cinder Block BedBenefits of Cinder Block Bed

• They provide a nice, wide platform that you They provide a nice, wide platform that you can sit on to plant, weed and water. can sit on to plant, weed and water.

• No drilling or screwing required, just drop No drilling or screwing required, just drop into place. into place.

• Easily adaptable to form hoop houses, Easily adaptable to form hoop houses, screen plants, screen plants,

• Blocks are surprisingly easy to salvage Blocks are surprisingly easy to salvage from random places: vacant lots, behind barns, from random places: vacant lots, behind barns, and wherever else. and wherever else.

ContainersContainers

Earth BoxEarth Box

Modular, self-watering planters, such as Modular, self-watering planters, such as The Terrazzo line The Terrazzo line

of Planters, & earthbox.com of Planters, & earthbox.com have special reservoirs that have special reservoirs that

help reduce watering chores. Plants can draw moisture help reduce watering chores. Plants can draw moisture

from the reservoir whenever they need it. from the reservoir whenever they need it.

Stock TanksStock Tanks

Poly Stock TanksPoly Stock Tanks

Galvanized Stock TanksGalvanized Stock Tanks

Stock TanksStock Tanks

Not just tomatoes, Not just tomatoes,

but also squash, cucumbers, peppers, etc... recommend but also squash, cucumbers, peppers, etc... recommend

container size as big as 15 gal., especially for tomatoes. container size as big as 15 gal., especially for tomatoes.

Soil & AmendmentsSoil & Amendments

COMPOSTCOMPOST

Selecting CompostSelecting Compost

Thoroughly Composted Material OnlyThoroughly Composted Material Only•Kitchen scrapesKitchen scrapes

•Leaf Mold CompostLeaf Mold Compost

•Composted cow manureComposted cow manure

•Composted horse manureComposted horse manure

•Composted cotton burComposted cotton bur

•Composted chicken manureComposted chicken manure

•Rabbit manure (does not need to beRabbit manure (does not need to be composted)composted)

Selecting SoilSelecting Soil

• Native soil can be amended with

Humic Acid, Dry Molasses and Compost.

• Select soil from reputable companies.

• Do not purchase soils containing raw

Pieces of wood (un-composted material.)

Using this would result in rootsUsing this would result in roots dying from tannic acid as the raw wooddying from tannic acid as the raw wood breaks down.breaks down.

Soil & CompostSoil & Compost

““How much soil or amendments you need.How much soil or amendments you need.

Multiply the length of the area in feet times the width of the

area in feet times the depth (height) of the area in inches,

then divide the total by 324 to find how many cubic yards

of material.

FormulaFormula

• # of cubic yards = length x width x depth (height) “ / 324.

• Average soil depth measurements if beds will be higher

in the middle with sloping sides.

Soil PreparationSoil Preparation

• Add 1/3 compost to the volume of soilAdd 1/3 compost to the volume of soil

adds live microbes.adds live microbes.

• Add dry molasses to multiply beneficialsAdd dry molasses to multiply beneficials

• Humic Acid (granular) to break up clay.Humic Acid (granular) to break up clay.

• Add Minerals Plus (micro nutrients) Add Minerals Plus (micro nutrients)

• Organic fertilizers (to feed microbes).Organic fertilizers (to feed microbes).

WaterWater

• Well water (can be tested for salinity)Well water (can be tested for salinity)

• ChloraminesChloramines are now added to city water. are now added to city water.

• For watering plants, to counter act chloramines.For watering plants, to counter act chloramines.

add add Humic AcidHumic Acid to water just to water just

enough to tint the water.enough to tint the water.

Humic AcidHumic Acid

What does Humic Acid do?Plant bio-stimulantsPlant bio-stimulants are materials that promote plant are materials that promote plant

growth. The importance of bio-stimulants lies in their growth. The importance of bio-stimulants lies in their

ability to promote hormonal activity in plants. Plant ability to promote hormonal activity in plants. Plant

hormones are chemical communicators, or agents, which hormones are chemical communicators, or agents, which

help regulate a plants development and its response to its help regulate a plants development and its response to its

surrounding environment. surrounding environment.

Tomato VarietiesTomato Varieties

• Indeterminate or DeterminateIndeterminate or Determinate

• For ContainersFor Containers

• HeirloomsHeirlooms

• Heat ResistantHeat Resistant

• NEW - Grafted TomatoesNEW - Grafted Tomatoes

Determinate TomatoesDeterminate Tomatoes

Tomato plants generally fall into two categories: Tomato plants generally fall into two categories:

determinate and indeterminate. Determinate determinate and indeterminate. Determinate

(bush) tomato plants are bred to stop growing (bush) tomato plants are bred to stop growing

usually somewhere around 3'-4' feet tall. When usually somewhere around 3'-4' feet tall. When

flower blossoms at the tips of the branches, the flower blossoms at the tips of the branches, the

plant has reached its full height. The fruit of a plant has reached its full height. The fruit of a

determinate tomato plant ripens all at once. Since determinate tomato plant ripens all at once. Since

many determinate plants stay on the short side, many determinate plants stay on the short side,

they can also be ideal for the small-space they can also be ideal for the small-space

gardener.gardener.

Indeterminate TomatoesIndeterminate Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow

for what seems like indefinitely. for what seems like indefinitely.

Depending on the variety, they can grow Depending on the variety, they can grow

from 6'-20' tall. This type continues to from 6'-20' tall. This type continues to

produce tomatoes all growing season produce tomatoes all growing season

until a hard frost hits and stops them in until a hard frost hits and stops them in

their tracks. their tracks.

Fall Tomatoes For ContainersFall Tomatoes For Containers

A wonderful, compact and prolific, A wonderful, compact and prolific,

short bushy plant that short bushy plant that grows to 3 grows to 3

feet, feet, yields huge amounts of very yields huge amounts of very

early producing 8 oz. beefsteak early producing 8 oz. beefsteak

tomatoes in clusters. A very tomatoes in clusters. A very

popular variety for shorter growing popular variety for shorter growing

regions.regions.

* 62 days* 62 days

* Determinate* Determinate

* Early Season* Early Season

Bush BeefsteakBush Beefsteak

Fall Tomatoes For ContainersFall Tomatoes For ContainersPrincipe Borghese Heirloom Principe Borghese Heirloom Italian heirloom. Short determinate plants Italian heirloom. Short determinate plants

that prolifically yield big clusters of 1-2 oz. that prolifically yield big clusters of 1-2 oz.

red, plum shaped, crack-resistant paste red, plum shaped, crack-resistant paste

tomatoes that are a great substitute for tomatoes that are a great substitute for

Roma tomatoes. Tomatoes are prized for Roma tomatoes. Tomatoes are prized for

drying because they retain more flavor than drying because they retain more flavor than

most other drying varieties. A great sauce most other drying varieties. A great sauce

tomato or eating fresh in salads or canning.tomato or eating fresh in salads or canning.

Days: 78Days: 78

Size: DeterminateSize: Determinate

Color: RedColor: Red

Season: Mid-SeasonSeason: Mid-Season

Type: HeirloomType: Heirloom

Fall Tomatoes For ContainersFall Tomatoes For ContainersBlack Sea Man (Heirloom)Black Sea Man (Heirloom)

Days: 75Days: 75

Size: DeterminateSize: Determinate

Color: Purple-BlackColor: Purple-Black

Season: Mid-SeasonSeason: Mid-Season

Type: HeirloomType: Heirloom

Potato-leaf plants that yields 12-16 ounce Potato-leaf plants that yields 12-16 ounce

tomatoes that are rich mahogany colored tomatoes that are rich mahogany colored

with olive green shoulders when mature. with olive green shoulders when mature.

Inside of tomato is deep, reddish green and Inside of tomato is deep, reddish green and

loaded  with excellent, full-bodied, complex, loaded  with excellent, full-bodied, complex,

tomato flavors. Outstanding tomato for tomato flavors. Outstanding tomato for

sandwiches and salads. This heirloom sandwiches and salads. This heirloom

tomato does well growing in mid-sized tomato does well growing in mid-sized

containers.containers. A A great early black tomatogreat early black tomato..

Fall Tomatoes For ContainersFall Tomatoes For ContainersBetter Bush (Hybrid)Better Bush (Hybrid)

Days To Maturity 68 Days To Maturity 68 Resistance Fusarium Wilt Resistance Fusarium Wilt Race 1, Verticillium WiltRace 1, Verticillium Wilt

Uses Beds, Cuisine, Outdoor, ContainersUses Beds, Cuisine, Outdoor, Containers

These big, luscious, 4-inch fruits These big, luscious, 4-inch fruits

grow very densely on grow very densely on indeterminate indeterminate

4-foot plants, 4-foot plants, thanks to shorter thanks to shorter

internodes. The central stem rarely internodes. The central stem rarely

needs staking (except during those needs staking (except during those

"bumper crop" times!), "bumper crop" times!),

Fall Tomatoes For ContainersFall Tomatoes For ContainersDwarf Champion (Indeterminate TypeDwarf Champion (Indeterminate Type))

Absolute perfect balance in the Absolute perfect balance in the

taste. Rugose leafed, tree-like, taste. Rugose leafed, tree-like,

and about 4 feet tall. Slightly and about 4 feet tall. Slightly

oblate fruits are pink and averaged oblate fruits are pink and averaged

aboutabout

3 1/2 ozs. 69 days3 1/2 ozs. 69 days

Fall Tomatoes Fall Tomatoes

• Anna RussianAnna Russian• Black CherryBlack Cherry• Black Krim (black)Black Krim (black)• CarbonCarbon• Oaxacan JewelOaxacan Jewel• Paul RobesonPaul Robeson• Pantano RomanescoPantano Romanesco• Lollypop (cherry)Lollypop (cherry)• Yellow Pear (cherry)Yellow Pear (cherry)

HEIRLOOMHEIRLOOM HybridHybrid• CelebrityCelebrity• Early GirlEarly Girl• Homestead 24Homestead 24• Roma (paste)Roma (paste)• Sungold (cherry)Sungold (cherry)

NEW – Grafted Tomatoes NEW – Grafted Tomatoes

MIGHTY MATO’SMIGHTY MATO’S

Why Grafted Tomatoes ?Why Grafted Tomatoes ?

These tomatoes are grafted to hardy, disease resistant These tomatoes are grafted to hardy, disease resistant

rootstock that affords vim and vigor to these tasty fruits.rootstock that affords vim and vigor to these tasty fruits.

  

Stronger, faster and more resiliant, these grafted Stronger, faster and more resiliant, these grafted

tomatoes use food and water more efficiently making for tomatoes use food and water more efficiently making for

healthier, tastier, more productive plants!healthier, tastier, more productive plants!

Grafted TomatoesGrafted Tomatoes

IMPORTANT: IMPORTANT:

When planting to the garden When planting to the garden DO NOT PLANT GRAFT BELOWDO NOT PLANT GRAFT BELOW THE GROUND. THE GROUND.

Otherwise you may lose the rootstock and the Otherwise you may lose the rootstock and the disease resistant qualities.disease resistant qualities.

List of Grafted TomatoesList of Grafted Tomatoes

1. 1. Big Beef: Big Beef: Red globed-shaped 1 lb. fruits have the perfect balance ofRed globed-shaped 1 lb. fruits have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity sweetness and acidity DAYS: 70-75 DAYS: 70-75

2. 2. Carmello: Carmello: Red crack-resistance variety with delicious balance of sugar Red crack-resistance variety with delicious balance of sugar and acid. Productive even in cooler temps. and acid. Productive even in cooler temps. DAYS: 75DAYS: 75

3. 3. Heatwave ll: Heatwave ll: Round red 7 oz. fruits on disease-resistant, heat tolerantRound red 7 oz. fruits on disease-resistant, heat tolerant abundant-yield plant. abundant-yield plant. DAYS: 68DAYS: 68

4. 4. Early Girl: Early Girl: BrightBright red 4 to 6 oz. fruits. Early, dependable and flavorfulred 4 to 6 oz. fruits. Early, dependable and flavorful fruit. fruit. DAYS: 50-60DAYS: 50-60

List of Grafted TomatoesList of Grafted Tomatoes

7. 7. Black Krim: Black Krim: Violet-red 4” to 5” inch fruit withnear black Violet-red 4” to 5” inch fruit withnear black shoulders have intense, smoky flavor. shoulders have intense, smoky flavor. DAYS: 70- 80DAYS: 70- 80

6. 6. Ledgend: Ledgend: Round 3” to 4” fruits with good balance of sweet and acidRound 3” to 4” fruits with good balance of sweet and acid flavor ripen early on cold tolerant plants. flavor ripen early on cold tolerant plants. DAYS: 80DAYS: 80

5. 5. Homestead: Homestead: 8 oz. red fruit are very smooth and uniform with good8 oz. red fruit are very smooth and uniform with good flavor. Compact and heat tolerant flavor. Compact and heat tolerant DAYS: 80DAYS: 80

8. 8. Mortgage Lifter: Mortgage Lifter: Violet-red 4” to 5” inch fruit withnear black Violet-red 4” to 5” inch fruit withnear black shoulders have intense, smoky flavor. shoulders have intense, smoky flavor. DAYS: 85- 95DAYS: 85- 95

Shade Cloth ProtectionShade Cloth Protection

www.cloudtops.com

To protect tender seedlingsTo protect tender seedlingsFrom bright sun.From bright sun.

Keeps area cooler under Keeps area cooler under shade cloth.shade cloth.

30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Choosing Adequate Shade ClothChoosing Adequate Shade Cloth

30% shade cloth can help the tomatoes produce 30% shade cloth can help the tomatoes produce

longer into the summer and come into the fall production longer into the summer and come into the fall production

time much healthier. time much healthier.

INFORMATION

Websites•www.wabashfeed.com•www.urbanharvest.org•www.texasplantandsoillab.com•www.sanjacorganic.com•www.natureswayresources.com•www.greenmamma.org•www.gardeningknowhow.com•http://www.suite101.com/content/organic-straw-bale-gardening-a85982

Any Questions?

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