Best Season Ever

[george k]

I'm enjoying a great season this year. I'm in zone 5a just south of Chicago. We've had a very hot and dry summer. I grow 20 varieties in 10 Earthboxes. For years, I have followed the Earthbox instructions using only their fertilizer strip. This year, I decided to supplement the boxes, based on recommendations reading this forum, with alternating weeks of Great Big Tomatoes liquid compost and Texas Tomato Food. I have never has such a bountiful harvest, for weeks I've been picking a bag full of fruit daily. In the past, I got maybe a few fruit off each plant. Picture is what i picked yesterday. I don't think its a coincidence, this stuff really works. Just thought i'd share.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by george k

I'm enjoying a great season this year. I'm in zone 5a just south of Chicago. We've had a very hot and dry summer. I grow 20 varieties in 10 Earthboxes. For years, I have followed the Earthbox instructions using only their fertilizer strip. This year, I decided to supplement the boxes, based on recommendations reading this forum, with alternating weeks of Great Big Tomatoes liquid compost and Texas Tomato Food. I have never has such a bountiful harvest, for weeks I've been picking a bag full of fruit daily. In the past, I got maybe a few fruit off each plant. Picture is what i picked yesterday. I don't think its a coincidence, this stuff really works. Just thought i'd share.

Glad you are having a great year also. I buy the TTF by the case and use it on almost everything with good to great results. I will be buying the vegetable formula for the winter crops like greens and broccoli because it works even better on them with its higher nitrogen content.

Most of my oldest plants are pretty well played out but since I don't need the space right now I am leaving many of them that have recovered from the spider mite invasion to see it they can put out a few more before frost. Almost all of those vines exceed fifteen feet in length but with only the top foot or two with any green on them now. The plants I set out in May are getting pretty tired and have slacked off big time but they should make a bit more. My last bed I set out in late July is setting really well now so it should provide me with some tomatoes to finish out the year.

Bill

[shelleybean]

Great news! Congratulations on that fabulous haul!!

[Rajun Gardener]

Good Job George, I'm glad you found the secrets to improve on. Next year should be even better.

[MissS]

So happy to hear that you are having great results. Tomatoville has some wonderful information to help us all have some nice results. People here are so kind. I too use TTF with great results. I would not like to be without it.

[Lindalana]

Hi George!
Looks like you have great harvest! Which varieties you think did best for you this year? Am always happy to hear about what does well locally as I start thinking next year...

[george k]

Originally Posted by Lindalana

Hi George!
Looks like you have great harvest! Which varieties you think did best for you this year? Am always happy to hear about what does well locally as I start thinking next year...

Ellen,

The Mat-Su Express seeds you sent me did very well. Early and good producer. By far, the two varieties that did best for me this year were Crnkovic Yugoslavian and Chapman.