End of Summer 2014

The horizontal tomato cages are definitely a good idea, but my execution had a few problems.  

First, the initial level was only 12" off the ground, which turned out to be pointless.  A 12" plant does not have any fruit on it, so there is little extra support needed.  What little support is needed should be provided by the initial stake.    The first level should be at 24"

Second, Dr. Hooker used metal fencing for support.  I tried to get away with a nylon mesh.  That created two problems:  (1) The mesh actually cut into heavy tomatoes that rested upon them.  (2) Once the weight started piling on the mesh, it sagged drastically.    You can see the sag in the right hand side of this picture.

In addition to the sagging nylon mesh, the picture also shows the bird netting I put over the whole bed about mid-July to keep out the damn tree rats.  Squirrels . . . damn, damn, damn those squirrels.  We hates them - forever!    The netting did work, but it was put on in a way that made it difficult for me to uncover, get a few fruits, then recover.   And late in the season vines started growing through the netting, making it damn near impossible to use effectively.   I need to put the netting on movable frames, then guide late season vines up and over the top so as not to interfere with the frames.

Tomato Summary:

-- Build metal wire frames and position them at 2' / 3' / 4'   Frames should be 5' x 47"
-- Build frames to surround the bed.  Frames will have netting mounted on them.
-- Use 7' metal stakes.  5 footers were not quite tall enough.


On the subject of support, the bell peppers need some.  One of the frames being built for tomatoes should be used for the peppers at 24" high.  Also, Carmen is still the be performer around.  The yellow bells had all sorts of problem with rot once it started raining all the time in late July.  Carmen sailed through without a hitch. 

The rain also put a hurting on the Basil.  It looked fantastic through July, but in early August the mildew set in and wiped out 90% of it.    I might want to provide a plastic cover next time the rain kicks in that hard. 

Horizontal tomato supports

During the planning of Garden 3.0, I wanted to come up with a different support system for my tomatoes that was a bit more elegant -- or less ugly, depending on how high your standards are. 

I wondered whether I could put multiple layers of a horizontal grid over the tomatoes instead of cages.  This would be less obvious than a cage, and  allow easier picking to boot.   Then last Summer I saw an episode of Bryce Lane's In the Garden where he went to the home of fellow NCSU hort professor Will Hooker.   Hooker was successfully using horizontal support for his tomatoes, so I decided to give it a try.   Here's a picture of in from June 15.  I used nylon mesh with 6" openings.  There are four layers, each about a foot apart:  

As of June 29 the tomatoes are all the way through the top layer and I have picked my first ripe ones of the season (the wonderfully reliable Juliet, a grape variety): 

Now is the time on Sprockets when we plant

A couple of weeks ago I completed bed #2.  Last weekend Dieter and I got busy with the shovels, compost, hoses, and appropriate support structures.  I think the results are lovely . . .

And that means I finally got to put in the maters . .  .

Now add a reemay blanket to prevent sun scald . . .

Now just wait a few months and enjoy.

Are they ready yet?
Are they ready yet?
Are they ready yet?