Vegetable Garden - Planting Tomatoes

[LauraBoivin]

Thank you for your most informative videos...easy to follow instructions.

I am planting & growing indoos and I think the same principles will apply.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Laura

[webcajun]

@LauraBoivin ... Hey Laura, it's all about planting at the right depth, moisture, nutrients and sunlight......Donald

[TheregularGuy2008]

soak or dip the plants in water.... much easier plus the plant gets a free drink before its in the dry summer dirt. continue your good work

[webcajun]

@TheregularGuy2008 ... Thanks for the tip.......Donald

[bobo11230]

how long does it take for tomatoes to ripen

and thanks for uploading your videos all of them are a grate help thanks!!!!!!!

[webcajun]

@bobo11230 ... That all depends on the variety. Some claim to produce in 2 months some take 4 months. Glad you enjoy the videos.......Donald

[bobo11230]

@webcajun the tomatoes are beefsteak

[webcajun]

@bobo11230 ... Google beefsteak tomatoes and find a company that sells em, they’ll usually have the number of days to maturity.......Donald

[bobo11230]

all of your videos are very helpful thanks for uploading them!!!!!!

[SouthernGardner]

what kind of tomatoes do you plant

[webcajun]

@SouthernGardner ... Coustralee is my favorite so far........Donald

[DBSpy1]

Well it finally got warm and its staying warm (was a very cold hot cold strange winter here in Calif.) have not said hi to you in 6 months but got tomatoes growing finally again so saying hi. This year I'm trying something new with my 5 gals bucket tomato plants,don't know if it will work but so far looks good. Plants have been growing outside for about 6 weeks,looking good. :>)

[webcajun]

@DBSpy1 ...Keep us updated........Donald

[AtomixKid]

good but slow!

[satellitetune]

Great vidio

[foofarters]

In my eyes, your like the Godfather when it comes to gardening...Just a nice guy sharing his knowledge. Thanks for all your great content. foo

[webcajun]

@foofarters ...Thanks, glad you enjoy the videos......Donald

[MBS1995]

HI I THINK YOUR TUTORIALS ARE EXTREMELY HELPFUL, BUT COULD SOMEONE JUST ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION, WHAT DO THE LITTLE HAIRS MEAN WHEN YOU START GROWING VEGETABLES? IS THAT NATURAL?ISTARTED SOME COLLARD GREENS, IM JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THE LITTLE HAIRS ARE THAT FORM FIRST?

[ddd3240]

For the fellow wondering about rabbit manure, I used it a few years ago and I had big beautiful plants and very few tomatoes. Used sparingly and it probably is pretty good stuff. Worked real well on purple hull peas and corn. Thanks for the video.

[webcajun]

@ddd3240 ...I guess too much of anything isn't good.....Donald

[ddd3240]

Grandkids and boiled crawfish. Cant ever seem to get enough of those! Still laughing at the "Swamp People"question you recieved. I think I may be related to those folks on TV :-) Thanks from Southeast Texas for all the videos.

[TheDogondone]

good stuff....btw have you seen those "swamp people" shows on tv? Is that really accurate?

[webcajun]

@TheDogondone ...For the most part the show is pretty accurate. Watched it last season and watching it again this year. Troy Landry is my favorite on the show, looks like he's good people.....Donald

[deasttn]

@webcajun

There's a new Swamp People drinking game. Everytime Troy says "choot-em" you take a swig. :-)

I gots kin folk down der near Lafayette n Hammond.

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[SidneyBou]

@TheDogondone My cousin taught at Assumption  high one of the people was a student there. They do much of what is deplected there.

[DesertDigger1]

Donald, I tried your magazine rack green house method,Have 2 set up,Costs me about 10 bucks for the pots and seeds"Racks were Free" been 3 weeks now and low and behold,I got plants growing!,Thanks Donald for the great tip.@$ 3 TO 5 a plant @ stores it adds up too a big savings.I also have my 50x50 garden set up with PVC irrigation,"New Thing" for me,but I have try to conserve water here in the desert...Thanks Donald,your an inspiration.

[webcajun]

@DesertDigger1 ...sometimes it's the simple ideas that work the best. Glad the videos helped and you're welcome.....Donald

[algoreisahoax]

why did she pick off the flower.my friend is using straight chicken manure and top soil.

[webcajun]

@algoreisahoax ...I didn't want tomatoes on a plant that small......Donald

[Stormclouds777]

Hey Donald, do you make your own compost? Also, do you use any manure on your garden? We raise lots of chickens and rabbits, and I usually have to compost my manure first before adding to the garden. I burned my onion beds up with fresh chicken manure. :/ lesson learned! :D Great video!

[webcajun]

@Stormclouds777 ... I make one big pile of compost every year. I don't use manure, not available here. That chicken manure is hot......Donald

[metallicarocks123]

Sorry, don't wear glasses lol, nice try :) Don't be so bashfull lol

[webcajun]

@metallicarocks123 ... LOL......Donald

[metallicarocks123]

you are so handsome :)

[webcajun]

@metallicarocks123 ... I think it's time you check your glasses. lol......Donald

[theracemixer]

Hi there

My tomato are as tall as your are in this video however my tomatos are weak and they fall over, could you please tell me how i can make the stem stronger ?

[webcajun]

@theracemixer ... I'd say they didn't get enough light and have become leggy.......Donald

[theracemixer]

@webcajun

Will they get thicker if i use a grow light or is it just too late

[webcajun]

@theracemixer ... If the plants are falling over it's probably best to replant. I hadn't even started mine yet so you still have plenty time. Once they come up, give them as much sunlight as you can.....Donald

[theracemixer]

@webcajun

Will they get thicker if i use a grow light or is it just too late?

[theracemixer]

@webcajun

Thanks for the tip

[MsAlicia58]

you are the best.

[webcajun]

@MsAlicia58 ... glad you enjoyed the video..........Donald

[DBSpy1]

Well I'm sad, here it is getting to the end of the season and I had lots of tomatoes on my 4 5Gal plants. Then it gets to 104 to 113F for over a week here in S. Calif. and my tomatoes look like cooked V8 juice on a hot day. They should make that against law to happen here in S. Calif. The law thing is because TV makes it look like we all live and think like that. Yup, the Kardashians and a lot more are super close like 15 to 30mins away, and about $228millon far away at the same time.

[webcajun]

@DBSpy1 ... wow that is a little warm for tomatoes. We are having some great weather here in Louisiana. Temps around the 80s with cool nights and mornings. Makes you want to get out and work in the garden.........Donald

[DBSpy1]

@webcajun Thanks again for the kind words Donald, still going to try to save the plants during winter with large clear plastic bags over them with some kind of so ( hard to think about this part right now heat source)over them lol. Looks like 3 might still make it, let you know.

[beadella1958]

I see what you mean about the dirt!! Just a suggestion...if you have a budget for fertalizer, why not experiment with some organic stuff like fish emulsion or bone meal or bat poop (all of which I have heard are really great for just about any plant). It may help the soil improve and if it is just a little experiment, you won't have wasted alot of time if it is a bomb. Keep up with the great vids!!!

Della :-)

[webcajun]

@beadella1958 ... I may just try that. I do use compost tea and have gotten some pretty good results.......Donald

[beadella1958]

@webcajun yeeeeeeeeaaahh!! Can't wait to hear the results of the experiment!!!!

Della:-)

[kyli95]

Can tomatoes live for the whole year or you plant them every single month of its season??

[webcajun]

@kyli95 ... some plants will last the whole season but it's been my experience that the quality to the tomatoes greatly diminish.  If you want good tomatoes all season just plant a few plants every month. In the heat of summer plant a heat tolerant variety like “Heat Wave”........ Donald

[BGgardenLive]

I love your garden shares.... my tomatoes are doing amazing after following your planting directions early in the spring!

[webcajun]

@BGgardenLive ... I believe it really makes a difference when planted that way. Glad you enjoy the videos......Donald

[KatrinaGustavRuled]

When I plant tomatoes, I get lots of them, but since my yard has limited spacing, they're kinda close to each other. But is it ok to cut those extra stems where there are no tomatoes so it doesnt get tangled against each other? or do I simply leave it alone and let nature to its thing?

[webcajun]

@KatrinaGustavRuled ... not sure if this is the right thing to do but if I had limited space I would go ahead and trim the branches a little. Try a few and see what happens. You may also try planting "determinate varieties" that don't grow quite as big........Donald

[Burpeeseed]

Are those pots peat pots that you are using?

[webcajun]

@Burpeeseed ... sure are.....Donald

[MrYodaddy510]

thank you

[MrYodaddy510]

what do you suggest me to do?

[webcajun]

@MrYodaddy510 ... I wouldn't do anything to them and let nature take it's course..... Donald

[asulkan]

is 2 feet apart too close together donald? and ive picked up some triple 4 fertilizer.. is that stuff going to be good for tomatoes and if so how much do i sprinkle around around the plants or can i dig it in?

[webcajun]

@asulkan ... spacing depends on the variety. Small plants 2 ft. is ok, large plants you may run into a problem at harvest time. I like plenty room to work. Start out with a couple of table spoons of fertilizer around the plant and work it into the soil. Do this every few weeks when you start seeing little tomatoes....... Donald

[MrYodaddy510]

hey! why after the tomatoes flowels boom they look like they dead or dry out. why dey do dat?

[webcajun]

@MrYodaddy510 ... just a guess but maybe they are not getting pollinated..... Donald

[supertroutman100]

u have a hugeeeeee garden

[webcajun]

@supertroutman100 ... 2 acres tilled and usually an acre planted....... Donald

[rowsofvoices9]

How far apart do you space the plants?

[webcajun]

@rowsofvoices9 ... most folks space their tomatoes around 3 ft. apart. I like a little more room to work so I space mine 6 ft. plus..... Donald

[ianniedabomb]

what is triple 13?

[webcajun]

@ianniedabomb ... 13-13-13 fertilizer....... Donald

[ianniedabomb]

@webcajun thanks. :)

[MrYodaddy510]

how do you know if the tomatoes plants have too much water??

[webcajun]

@MrYodaddy510 ... you want to keep the soil just a little moist, not wet........ Donald

[smotpoker86]

I noticed that you did'nt really plant 2/3's of the plant into the ground..I did this year but they have turned out fine the past 2 years(in which I did'nt)...Thanx alot for the videos.

[webcajun]

@smotpoker86 ... whatever works best for you is the way to go....... Donald

[Vegetable3366]

Can you direct-sow the seeds out into the garden?

Thanks.

[webcajun]

@Vegetable3366 ... I guess you could but they would need lots of TLC. You'll have more control if you start them in pots then transplant into the garden........ Donald

[merock654]

hey donald how r u

[webcajun]

Just fine, thanks........... Donald

[merock654]

hey donald how u doin today

[merock654]

make a new vid this spring on how to plant tomatoes if u can please............donald

[webcajun]

I sure will........ Donald

[merock654]

ok np when do u know is the bst time to plant tomatoes

[webcajun]

If you're starting them from seed 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date. If buying plants naturally after your last frost date in the spring......... Donald

[merock654]

i hav srawberries danald any tips on that ......Donald

[webcajun]

Sorry I don't grow them. Join the forum on the web site, lots of folks on there can help.......... Donald

[TheGreenGardener28]

wow u have a lot of energy. do have animals in your farm...

[webcajun]

Just two big black dogs and a bunch of cats running around the yard. LOL ............ Donald

[GreenGardenParadise]

hay donald how old are you

?....TheGreenGardener..

[webcajun]

54 years old.

[merock654]

oh so how u doin farmer

[merock654]

what store did u get the tomato seedling at

[webcajun]

I start them from seed....... Donald

[merock654]

@webcajun so when is the best time to plant tomatoes ....... donald

[tejava]

Dude, Donald, you Rock! I only hope I have as good a relationship with my Daughter and Son's in laws.... BTW, yep, I planted mine deep like that this year since I did actuallly watch this video earlier this year.

[webcajun]

Got a video I posting tonight on my web site "Big Tomato Cages" that will show the results. Won't be on YouTube till next week so visit the site......... Donald

[WoundedEgo]

It wouldn't hurt to toss the bottom half of the peat pot into the bottom of the hole.

And IMHO it would be better to bury the plant deeper, so most of that stem is underground where it will grow roots all along the length of it. You could even pinch off all of the leaves except the top couple.

[webcajun]

I agree about planting the tomatoes as deep as possible. Thanks........ Donald

[TheDouglasFarm]

Why did she pinch the flower off of the top?

[webcajun]

Too small to have tomatoes forming on it IMO....... Donald

[hydynryk]

You want the plant to direct it's energy at growing and rooting not fruit production..

[tennwhitetrash]

One thing that I have always heard was to leave the first set of leaves on the plant and bury them when you transplant them to the garden. Those first set of leaves will take root and provide a stronger root system for the tomato plant.

[webcajun]

What ever you fell comfortable with is the right way for you....... Donald

[hydynryk]

actually, the whole stem will start sprouting roots,, some people recommend burying up to 80 percent of the plant..

[nuclearG1]

Why do you leave the plants in the pots? are they peat pots or plastic pots? Also, I have heard that the plants should be set deep into the soil and that all branches should be pruned off prior to planting. Does it make a difference?

[webcajun]

They are peat pots but I do try to remove at least the bottom of the pot before planting. Try to plant tomatoes as deep as possible, new roots will grow from the stems....... Donald

[scottysue]

You are a great gardner. I have a question about my tomatoes, I planted five plants on March 18th and I know you need to wait till after easter, but are weather has been very warm and I could not resist, I live in arizona temps are around 85 day 45 and 50 at night. Well my question is the leaves are starting to turn yellowish brown and curling up, one plant has already died, It is a new garden with raised beds. I removed the peat pot completly and buried deep. Please Help Thanks

[webcajun]

Pull the ones that look sick and get them away from the healthy ones. Are you watering? How much fertilizer did you use? Too much nitrogen will burn your plants. Join the forum on my web site and ask your question there. Someone may know exactly what it is...... Donald

[19dcs93]

if you give them to much water that can happen or if you have to much fertilizer that will happen and look for warms. and if they are in the sun all day that can happen to get some shade in the mid day and you should be good to go

fertilize once every two weeks that will help also and water twice a day

[rudanici]

Love your videos, it's an inspiration for me to start my kitchen garden in a container. It's very hot here in this part of the world, and sometimes heavy rain too. I'm trying out my cherry tomato in a container, but it's growing spindly tall, but the leaves are quite 'small'. Is it the heat?

[webcajun]

First thing that comes to mind is lack of sunlight...... Donald

[soxnes]

okay great for me they are pretty fun to make. LOOVVVE YOUR VIDEOS CANT WAIT UNTIL MORE UPDATES!!!! :)

[soxnes]

well that is smart of you to have something to fall back on. and i also love planting in pots! oh if you get news paper you can make paper pots instead of peat pots and it is much cheaper and they are easy to make.

[webcajun]

I go through a lot of peat pots, have close to 400 planted right now and that's just for starters. Not sure time would permit me to make all those. I may try a few anyway...... Donald

[soxnes]

have you ever tried raised garden or Square Foot Gardening (SFG) if not you should try still use your rows but just to try something new try SFG. If you want.

[webcajun]

Well I always considered raised beds / square foot gardens as what I would fall back on should I no longer be able to grow the big gardens. I do enjoy planting in containers. I have lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and spinach growing in containers now...... Donald

[nectarineblue]

That usually applies to my drinkin.. if a pint makes me feel good 2 pints should make me feel twice as good.. ;)

[webcajun]

Kind of the same thing for me too.

[stevestimulation1]

Im a total novice when it come to growing a gardening. Is there going to be a problem if I grow them around weeds? I tried to pull them up from around my tomatoes so it is a little bit better. But I dont know if in the long run if that will be a problem.

[webcajun]

There are very few gardens that are totally weed free. Just recently I saw a garden that the owner had to tell me that is was his garden because the weeds had grown taller than his vegetables. In a case like that it will most definitely hurt the production because the weeds are using all the nutrients rather than the veg plants. I don't know how many tomato plants you have but why don't you clean just a few a day until you get the problem under control.

[stevestimulation1]

Thanks alot.

[stevestimulation1]

How often do you think you should till your tomatoes?

[webcajun]

Only when you have weeds.

[stevestimulation1]

Thanks again!

[azdober]

nice stainless bucket. :)

[webcajun]

Been having it for almost 30 years. Whenever possible I try to buy the best I can afford, it will outlast the cheaper made product 10 times over.

[bottholio]

your soil looks like it came from Mars!

[webcajun]

It was a mess. Just too much rain.

[login762]

I've watched all your videos, could you make one on how you control weeds, its my nightmare on a scale like you've got, though I try and farm without the chemicals.

Cheers

cg

:-)

[webcajun]

I don't use chemicals for weed control in the garden. I cultivate using my disk, tiller and cultivator. The weeds that are left (right next to the vegetable plants) I get with a hoe. If you hoe the garden when the weeds are small they are much easier to control and takes a lot less time then if you let them get out of hand.

[vallo3838]

Man,you do a great job!!!!!Vallo38

[webcajun]

Thanks!

[beutifullady]

your soil looks like clay. we still have snow on the ground in maine gonna be awhile before i can plant.

[webcajun]

It's a mix of sand and clay. A results of thousands of years of flooding. Extremely rich top soil near any bayou in Louisiana.