Six Foot Tall Tomatoes?

By contributing writer Laurie Neverman
July 21, 2008

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I was waiting in line at Menards. The person in front of me was buying tomato cages to support their tomatoes. I was buying seven foot posts to do the same thing (the six footers I used last year were a little too short).

Like most home gardeners, tomatoes are one crop I won’t do without. That said, how I grow my tomatoes and choosing which tomatoes to grow has become a passion of mine. This year’s homegrown tomato season started last December with seed ordering from some of my old favorites – Fedco, Pinetree, Seed Savers Exchange and Seeds of Change – and a new favorite, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. In January I planted container varieties (the plants stay small so they can be grown indoors or outdoors in pots). In February these were followed by the main season tomatoes, mostly heirloom indeterminate varieties. The seeds are placed in growing mix (planted about three times as deep as the seed is wide) in individual cell packs, watered well, covered to keep the soil moist and set in a warm location (in our case, next to the masonry stove).

After they have germinated, the plants are moved under grow lights in front of a south facing window and then graduated to the greenhouse. Finally they are hardened-off in a cold frame before being planted out in the garden. Our cold, wet spring meant this last step happened much later than expected, but in spite of the slow start they are performing reasonably well. Most are around three feet tall at this point, nearing the top of stakes that I brace them with initially before they head up to the higher trellis. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature, we may just see another season ofsix foot tall tomatoes.

Please contact me at laurieneverman@hotmail.com with your green questions and comments.

Common Sense Home Garden Tomato Recipe

Tomatoes Teruel
Teruel is a city in the produce-rich region of Aragon in Spain. This salad is stunning on its own or as a side dish served with grilled fish or chicken.

INGREDIENTS:

3 very large ripe garden tomatoes, cut into 1/2" thick slices
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sherry wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion or scallion
2 tbs. drained capers
2 tbs. minced fresh parsley
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried basil, crumbled between your fingers
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
Fresh parsley as a garnish (optional)

PREPARATION:

Arrange tomatoes in a single layer in a shallow dish. Combine oil and the next eight ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking to blend well.

Spoon the dressing over the tomatoes. Cover and marinate in the fridge for three hours. Divide tomatoes among four plates. Spoon dressing over each. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Related Links

Top 10 Tomato Growing Tips

Tomato Cage Alternatives – Interesting blog with some different ideas (and photos) for tomato supports.

Tomato Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet – A handy reference guide for a wide range of tomato problems.

Causes of Poor Tomato Fruit Set – More detailed information from Farm & Garden online magazine.

Red Plastic Mulch – yes or no? – An interesting discussion on the Gardenweb forum about the merits (and lack thereof) of using red plastic mulch.