I Planted my "Big Beef" variety tomatoes...Now what?
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
May 12, 2016 10:10pm CST
We had lousy luck with tomatoes last year, while a neighbor, one I play ping pong with, was giving them away in September. I asked what variety he planted and he said "Big Beef." So what is pictured is one Big Beef variety tomato. the light in his yard is somewhat better than ours too, so I put mine in a movable pot. As the sun moves through the season, I can have my tomatoes keep pace and stay in sunshine.
Now I know that growing tomatoes properly has almost as many opinions as politics, but tomatoes are a more tasty subject. Water is a big question, such as how much, how often? Does sprinkling overhead hurt them? What about fertilizer? What kind? How much? How often?
I used some stuff called "Tomato Blossom Spray" one year and had a great crop. Did it help? I got some more just in case it did.
Anyway, I planted two and may get one more called "Celebrity" too. I wonder if it takes selfies?
Do you grow tomatoes? Share the secrets of your success with us.
14 people like this
13 responses
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
13 May 16
The amount of sun is a big deal. Looks as if you have great soil. It is recommended with tomatoes and peppers that you put a spoonful of epsom salts in the hole you plant it in, or you dilute epsom salt in the water you give it. A commercial fertilizer should have a higher middle number, like 10-20-10 to promote extra fruit. I like well turned compost on top of the soil.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
Well, thank you for that advice!I never heard of the epsom salt thing, but may add some in the morning. What is an example of the 'well turned compost?
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 May 16
@JamesHxstatic I'm not sure it would work every time! 
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
With any luck, I will be able to do that. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69176)
• Centralia, Washington
13 May 16
I grow mostly cherry tomatoes. I grew Romas one year and found their taste pretty store like. Horrid. The wind here is what I dread. I just planted baby tomatoes the other day and yup, 30 mile an hour winds. I felt like a parent with a baby. What do I do? In this crazy above normal heat I water. I do fertilize with weak store liquid fertilizer. And we're slowly adding burro poop.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69176)
• Centralia, Washington
13 May 16
@JamesHxstatic The first night I put old pots over the little green kids but after that figured they'd have to make it on their own.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
It was quite windy here the afternoon after we planted them, so Anne turned some milk jugs with tops cut out over them and took them off the next morning. Now it is in the mid 80s but may rain Saturday.
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@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
15 May 16
ugh, i'm running out of time! i haven't planted a thing. i've been so busy. i've never had success with tomatoes
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 May 16
It seems that they are easy or impossible.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
Have you ever written about how you cook eggplant? Would be interesting.
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 16
That's a hardy variety. Good choice. Wish you well with them this year.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
13 May 16
Good luck growing your tomatoes. I love them.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
13 May 16
the best'f luck with yer maters, hon. i've been growin' 'em'n pots here fer years, though not due to the sunshine, but the drought. stuck a pic here, 'tis a double bucket system with the water goin' through the pvc pipe so's 't can drink's much water 's needed. i use compost tea'n my maters 'n 'bout once e'ery few weeks i add some epsom salt to the mix.
still gigglin' o'er the selfies :D
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
13 May 16
Tomato plants are weeds. They like water and heat. If they get both, they will grow like crazy and give you lots of fruit. Have fun.
Do you have a "coaster" with wheels? If so, moving the pot will be easier.
1 person likes this
