We planted the toms in the greenhouse in the middle of may. Many of the plants already has blooms and bloom buds. You know I plant my toms horizontally so that the first flowers are neat the soil’s surface. This gives me an extra bunch or two. When the first fruit appears, it is our sign that it is time to begin feeding the plants. Before that however; we had to make the comfrey “tea”, to feed them with. We grow the Bocking 14, a sterile Comfrey for this purpose. Here is the first batch then: After three weeks it is ready to use. We strain it and mix it with rainwater to feed our babies. I spied the first few green marbles (Money Makers). Minding the toms is always a hot, cramped and involved affair. One must sucker the plants often, leaf branches must be removed and they need to be tied-in regularly. The feeding and watering are usually alternated, but this schedule depends upon how the weather is doing. We have planted some marigolds in amongst the toms to keep the aphids at bay. It seems to work for us, as we have never had those little creatures in the greenhouse.
Sjoerd your tomato growing is worthy of a documentary. The plants are so lush and vigorous. The marigolds, too. At the same time, they are lined up like soldiers in formation, clean and proud and strong. There is a lot of knowledge, nurturing, and work in that greenhouse.
Looking good Sjoerd. Thanks for the reminder that its time to make comfrey tea! What sort of tomatoes are you growing?
Daniel— Thank you enormously. Those were such nice things to say. Gôh ! It is always so nice to hear compliments from a fellow gardener. Pac— Thank you for your poetic comment. That’s really nice. Netty— cheers for those nice things. Glad I helped remind you of the comfrey tea. Your man may not be happy about it though, if he gets a whiff. The tom types that I am growing are MoneyMakers, Roma and Marmande. Clay— Thank you so much. The thought of being a YouTube gardener…I dunno, mate. Haha. Everyone does things their own way and has success, I do not know if I can really add to their success. Yes indeed, Loggie. I am sorta used to the smell, but I do not think I shall ever become totally used to that penetrating odour. Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbb…..
