Our Little Piece of Heaven

"YOU DON'T HAVE A GARDEN JUST FOR YOURSELF. YOU HAVE IT TO SHARE." Augusta Carter







Thursday, April 19, 2012

PLANT YOUR TOMATOES WHEN THE PEONIES AND BLACK LOCUST BLOOM!




I have been acquiring a great deal of gardening knowledge by reading Jerry Baker's Book Terrific Tomatoes, Sensational Spuds, and Mouth-Watering Melons.  This book is completely full of great advice and old-fashioned wisdom for gardening!  I have actually taken a lot of the information I have read and created a "cheat sheet" with the hints, tips, and information all on one piece of paper.  I then laminated this piece of paper, front and back, so that the paper can be taken to the garden with me when I am working!  Jerry's Grandma Putt always told him to plant your tomatoes when the Peonies and Black Locust bloom, and that is just what I did.  I had my transplants hardened off and ready for planting just in time!  My tomatoe plants have come along well, and I was very excited to get them in the ground.  As many of you know I also plant my tomatoes in handing buckets upside down!  I have also planted some plants in the ground as well.  I am hoping for a great crop of tomatoes this year!  Time will tell!

I also followed the advice of the additives Jerry recommends to use when planting each plant.  In the hole where I was planting each tomatoe I included some compost and well-rotted manure, a handful of Bonemeal, and a teaspoon of Epsom salt.   

He also advises to water your tomatoes with fish fertilizer two weeks after transplanting, after the first flowers appear, when fruits are golf ball size, and when first ripe tomatoe is spotted. 

If you get a chance, check out Jerry's book, you won't be sorry that you did!  I have learned a lot and will put it to the test this year to see how the advice works!

11 comments:

  1. Jerry's soil ammendments/fertilizer tips sound like they would help you grow great tomatoes. One year I had blossom end rot and I read that it was caused by calcium deficiency, so I improvised: I took some human calcium pills, dissolved them in water, and watered my tomatoes with that. It worked.
    We plant around May 10, so I am babysitting seedlings on my front porch and also in the house until the time is right. My cool weather crops are in.
    Have a nice wknd, Mindy.
    Beth

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    1. Wow, what a great idea with the calcium pills. I have actually planted some of my plants a little early either by choice or not having a choice!!!! I started some squash and cucumber seeds too early this year and didn't have the heart to just kill them! They are really doing great, so far! Good luck with your seedlings and with your cool weather crops! Have a great weekend! Mindy

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  2. I love his books! I haven't read this one though!

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    1. Yes they are great! I only have two of the them, there are so many! Love his advice and the old-fashioned flare of his books! Have a great weekend! Mindy

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  3. Well, the black locust is blooming here, but I don't think I could put out my tomatoes without a wall-o-water around them. LOL (hey, we had 2 inches of snow yesterday!) ...Hhmmm...haven't seen any peonies blooming yet :-) Thanks for the follow,I look forward to reading your blog!

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    1. Very interesting! With two inches of snow, I am sure tomatoes would not do well!!!! I suppose that both have to be true (black locust AND peonies blooming) in order to plant tomatoes. I enjoyed your blog very much and look foward to following it in the future!
      Happy Gardening!
      Mindy

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  4. Huh! Interesting. Not that I would know anything about gardening veggies. Glad you found a book that is so good!

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    1. You should give veggies a try if you haven't! Very rewarding, especially if you start from seeds! I enjoy it so much!
      Happy Gardening! Mindy

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    2. I shouldn't say I NEVER do, but I ususally put a tomator or two in amongst things, but they never do that well. This year I'm gonna plant some green peas. Love to eat them right out of the garden!

      D.

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  5. I am wondering if you have shared your cheat list on the blog somewhere I'm just not seeing? I would love to see it.
    Erin

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    1. Well, no actually I do not have it posted anywhere on my blog! It is actually very crazy - a full lined sheet of paper with rather small writing and categorized into each vegetable! I do not have way to post it on my blog! However, I can help with any information you might need on a particular vegetable! So sorry! Happy Gardening! Mindy

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