June 14, 2022
What would we do without the advice of friends, especially Master Gardener friends.
Beverly, who volunteers in the vegetable garden at Raincatcher’s, gets the credit for my bumper crop of tomatoes this year. She talks about tomato problems as in her last blog and this one, but also gives promising advice.
After viewing the webinar Epic Tomatoes with Joe Lamp’l and Craig LeHoullier, Beverly sent these notes:
Pick tomatoes at full size and 35% of color. This has a cool name – “breaker stage”. It will help prevent splitting due to rain and will also help protect from all kinds of creatures.
Ripen indoors, don’t use sunny area.
Do not pinch suckers off dwarf or determinate plants.
Don’t take off all suckers on indeterminates.
Suckers are new plants. On big plants they may extend fruiting periods. They also provide shade.
Use suckers, especially on hybrids like Sun Gold, to start new plants (clone). Let root in water.
More good advice from TAMU : Why are my tomato leaves turning yellow? Nutrition, disease, physical disorders may be the culprit.
And thanks to my eldest son and grandson for watering my garden during the crucial early stages when I was out of town with a brand new grandson. Your diligence made my tomato hopes a juicy reality.
Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 