Chicago area gardeners (esp tomato lovers!) - I will be at Morton Arb next Saturday

[NRaleighLiberal]

Here is the info where you can register http://www.mortonarb.org/events/edible-gardening-workshop-series-2

They've expanded to 60 spots - I think 40 or so far filled. I'll be breaking the 2.5 hour time slot into two pieces - one on tomato history, stories, general types, all geared toward helping you decide what you may want to grow.

Second half will be on tomato culture - all of the key steps between seed starting, planting, trouble shooting and maintenance, seed saving, recipes - as well as container and straw bale ways to grow them well....

Everyone will get a packet of seeds and some handouts (too early for seedlings!) - they will have my books there to sell, which I will sign...mostly this is about coming out to ask any questions you may have. Spread the word!

[enough]

1. Hey NRL, cant get there but heres a tomato question for you.

Do you think I could get away with not rotating my tomato beds for one year? I always do it religiously, but this spring we will be pressed for time and I’m wondering if I can get away with just adding a lot of good compost etc, and using the same bed as last year. It’s a good all-day full sun location with permanent trellises.

[SamKnause]

3. I plant my tomatoes in the same bed every year.

I throw rabbit poop, tea bags, crushed egg shells, banana peels, and sprinkle

a generous amount of epsom salt on top.

Then I mixed it up good with the hoe and wait for planting season.

I grow my own plants from seeds.

After I plant the tomato plants I add 2 bags of pine shavings.

This keeps the weeds from popping up.

I had 19 plants last year in an area 8 feet by 5 feet.

I harvested 400 or 500 tomatoes.

I lost count.

As soon as the season is over, I start all over again with preparing the bed.

I have my niece saving her eggs shells and tea bags.

[enough]

6. Sounds like the voice of experience! Thanks Sam. NT

[SamKnause]

9. You are very welcome !

Good luck.

I hope we both have a plentiful harvest.

I LOVE tomatoes !!!!!!!!!!

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Sure, but it depends upon how they did...if all you get are the typical fungal foliage issues -

early blight and septoria - but largely good results, you are fine.

But if you are getting serious root zone diseases, such as Fusarium or Bacterial Wilt, Nematodes or Verticillium, the soil has issues that will attack the plants. In that case you would need to solarize the soil - or grow in containers or straw bales on that location, on top of a root block fabric or plastic.

[enough]

8. So far good results, nothing that seems to impair production or deliciousness.

Next year I’ll probably go back to my usual rotation routine. Just need to streamline the process this year because of a complicated spring schedule. Cutting back to just tomatoes and herbs this year. I thought I’d just skip the garden entirely, but can’t bring myself to face a summer without that glorious flood of tomatoes. Thanks!

[mopinko]

2. hey my friend!!

is this the day of the seed swap? i will try to make it.
but if you have time while you are in town, i would love to buy you some dinner!

[Freethinker65]

4. Congrats!

I was a member of the Arboretum for over 20 years and loved it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. thanks! I was at the botanical garden two years ago and loved it!

So I can complete the Chicago gardening mecca sweep!