Backyard Tomato Update

Photo by I. Stephens

So far it's been a better season for my tomato plants than for me, a mammal - lot's of rain and quite warm temperatures.  But I thought I would report on my lazy experiment of using the Japanese ring method  for growing tomatoes.  

Leftover  in my center planting bed from last year's climbing beans was a tepee with some pieces of 4" x 6" wire mesh still attached.  Before I finished  dispersing all my compost onto  other planting beds this spring, I realized that I could put the remaining compost in the center of the tepee and plant some heirloom tomatoes around the outside as if the tepee were a "ring" that is usually configured as a square filled with compost. I didn't have enough compost to fill the center area very high, but I did have enough to mound it up about 12".  The compost in the center provides nutrients and helps to maintain even moisture levels throughout the growing season.

From my perspective this approach to date has been successful. The Brandywine (pictured center), German striped (barely seen to the left with its fruit starting to ripen), Cherokee purple and Amish Paste (both out of view) are thriving. Fortunately, I left the pea trellis adjacent to the tepee; and now that the peas are gone, I've started directing the vines of the Amish paste and Cherokee purple onto it.

Of course, I would like to think of my other tomatoes, not pictured, as controls; but considering that their soil was treated to the same compost, they are staked and have received the same sun and rain, it would be naive to think that any differences between them and the "ring" tomatoes could be attributed to the latter's being near a lot more compost.   Anyway, so far I'm starting to think about utilizing  more Japanese rings next year and what that means for crop rotation.  I know it means replacing my tepees with open  square designs so that it is easier to add compost to and reach into those center spaces...

Coming To You Soon: Cross-striped Cabbage Worms

Photo by Judy Isacoff

A fellow master gardener recently alerted us to a new pest that may now be showing up on your cabbages and related veggies, the Cross-striped Cabbage Worm,  Piers rapaem, that has been discovered in the Berkshires and reported in a very informative posting in another local blog, The Berkshire Edge by Judy Isacoff. This insect has moved up from Virginia obviously seeking the new fake heat of the Northeast. Because  the adults only seem to  fly at night, you may need a flashlight to find the mothly version...

Programs at Demonstration Garden Programs

Two lecture and demonstration programs are scheduled during August by the Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension's Horticultural Program.  Both programs happen rain or shine at the garden located at the Robert C. Parker School located at 4254 Route 43 in Wynantskill (approx. 2.1 miles from the intersection of NY Rtes. 4 and 43).

"Late Summer Is For Lawns," slated for Tuesday, August 13 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM will be hosted by David Chinery, Rensselaer CCE's Educator and turf specialist.  David will discuss why mid-August to mid-September is the best time for lawn weed management, oveseeding, fertilizing and renovation.  Free free to bring samples of your problems in bags, pails or whatever to the  meeting.

The second program, "Great Tomato Tasting," set for Tuesday, August 20 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM will be presented by a group of Master Gardeners who will discuss growing tomatoes followed by a tasting table of the many varieties grown in this year's vegetable plot at the Demo Garden.