I can't grow tomatoes to save my butt. Blossom end rot has killed my desire to even try anymore.

A lot has to do with how you water you tomatoes.
Water in the morning and water at the base of the plant, don't spray the leaves.

Water how often? Anything added like Miracle Grow? I'm only talking like 3-4 plants here. Just the 2 of us...

Do u put Epson Salt in the hole??

Water as often as needed, with or without Miracle grow. Just don't spray the plant with water.
I had the same problem years ago and an old gardener told me what to do.
If you spray the plant in the evening, the water will collect at the bottom of the fruit and stay there all night causing it to rot. If you water in the morning the water will evaperate and not collect on the tomatoes. I used to go out in the evening and really spray everything. Now I water in the morning and just the base.
Seems to be worse in the dry years when everyone is watering alot.
Try it, may not stop all the rot, but it will be alot better.

+1

I also bury 1 or 2 cups of fish scraps (or one whole bluegill that has been filleted) in the bottom of my hole before I plant my tomatoes. Then all season long, I sprinkle crushed up egg shells on the dirt for a calcium boost. Usually have no trouble with blossom ends.

Last year I built an under ground watering system for my tomatoes. Used 1/2 pvc and drilled small holes every foot on each side but off set the holes every six inches, stretched panty hose over the pipe and buried in between the plants about a foot deep. Put a 90 elbow on each end with a garden faucet attached. I hook up the hose to one end and open the other, if anything got inside the pipe the water flushes it out. I run it a few seconds and turn off the valve. I run it about 1/2 an hour until I see the ground starting to turn wet. Puts the water in the root system. With the wet weather last year I only ran it 3-4 times. h.h.

Just curious, how do you grow your seed potatoe starts?

Got my seed ordered and setting up plans for the Spring. The wifey really wants me to grow some good tomatoes this year. It seems I can grow just about everything but tomatoes. She likes to make a ton of salsa so hopefully this year I can get it done. Thanks for tips mentioned. Need all the help I can get. Going to try potatoes too this year. Never really planted them seriously.

Got a craving for some sugar snap peas. My kids love those things.

tomatoes like plenty of nitrogen and weed free growing...I live to grow mine though black plastic.

^^^^ My Dad and Grandpa always told me the same thing, 76. The idea behind the bluegill is about the time the tomato needs more Nitrogen, the bluegill has decomposed enough to provide it, at the root level. Another good trick is to bury a diaper, under the roots of each plant. The diaper will help hold moisture for the roots.

I have not heard of the diaper method. Ha.

I have also used bluegills as fertilizer- works very well!!

I always put newspapers down around each plant an cover with compost to hold paper down it will then decompose. I will just put my potatoes in the basement an they will sprout. I have read people put them in a box out of direct sunlight too.

Bean, if your wife wants to make salsa, you might want to plant some paste tomatoes, like Roma or Rutgers. Less seeds, less juice. More pulp than a slicing tomatoe.

Tomato rot- check your soil pH
Salsa- we had real good luck with plum tomatoes last year
Sugar snap peas- I started early and then planted sporadically through the spring. Had peas for a long time.

Did a little experiment for something to do. Bought potatoes put one in a closed box an put in front of window an put one under the sink here at school in the dark. Took them both 2 weeks to get sprouts but the one under the sink has bigger sprouts. These were just potatoes bought off the shelf at Wal-Mart. So about 2 weeks before I am ready to plant I am going to put some under the sink to sprout.

This is my favorite thread on this site. As this is my first year to garden i am anxious to get it going. I am still debating what to plant. Any advice im ears to listen.

Just have to go by what you want to eat an like.

Do seeds from the farm stores do fine or are you better off ordering them.

Juat go to Rural King i buy some there. Fresh asparagus is my fav.

Ok thanks. I plan on starting some peppers and tomatoes here soon inside. Am i to early.

I start tomatoes inside an always have them by memorial day.

Ok thank you. I plan on doing this tire potato thing also. We eat potatoes like there going out of style around here.

Billy - There are a few things you can plant as soon as the soil can be worked: lettuce, spinach, onions, asparagus, and carrots.

One of the most important thing I can tell you is take care of the soil and it will take care of you. Compost and mulch are great tools in gardening. You can start your own stuff and you will learn over the years what works for you. Everyone has their methods and varieties to plant.

If you are starting a new garden site, I promise you that weeds will be an issue. There are ways to deal with them where you don't get frustrated.

Last night we ate greenbeans and sweet corn fro the garden. Nothin better.

Here is a helpful money saving hint......

We buy alot of lettuce during the winter months, When I saw the containers the lettuce comes in (from Kroger) I had an idea. Told the wife to wash the containers and store them as they would make the perfect grow box.

We have used them for a couple of years now and they work great! They have four distinct cells, fill half way with potting soil, plant a couple seeds in each cell, water and close the lid. It snap seals and seals moisture in. As you can see they are stackable!

Got started this weekend with peppers and a few tomato plants. Will continue in weeks to come. Will post pictures as the plants begin to grow.

I paid for the packaging of the lettuce now I can repurpose and get more for my bucks!

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I started alot of my seeds this weekend also.
Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Big Sweet Onions, Bell Peppers and Jalapenos. I'm gonna wait a little while on the Tomatoes.
It just felt good to plant something.
I start my seeds in empty egg cartons covered with saran wrap.

Since these containers are covered how often do they need to be watered. Jb i worked in kroger produce for two years and would have never thought of using those containers. The egg carton idea is good also.

Until the moisture does not collect on the top no need to open or water. Sort of like a rain forrest, the water collects on leaves(top) then falls off and waters the plants.

All pepper plants take longer to germinate, I will start other plants in the next 2 weeks. Keep a log of how long plants take to germinate and it is easy to regulate plant growth.

Got the plugs, oil, an filters changed in mowers Sat. And spread salt around my asparagus.

My sister lived in southern Michigan had an acre patch of asparagus. She sold it to the local grocery stores. She told me they salted the patch every year but I cant remember what the salt did? So whats the reason? h.h.

Kills all the weeds an some how does not kill the asparagus.

I got my seeds started the last couple days. I did tomatoes peppers cucumbers lettuce and zuchini. Lets hope i can atleast get a plant to grow.

The weather was dry this weekend so I spread fertilizer and lime on my garden and tilled it up. The soil worked up nice. I will till it again at planting time. I started most of my seeds 2 weeks ago and they are growing good. It won't be long now!

Where is everyone at with their seedlings? I have tomato plants and peppers out my ears already. I am starting to individual pot them up. Lesson learned just cause you buy them by the bag doesnt mean you have to plant them all. I did loose all my lettuce will try it again.

I am going to till under the winter wheat i planted as a cover crop this weekend. Strawberry plants are starting to green up.

Too early up here yet for any kind of gardening. Im buying my plants this year so I dont plant so much stuff. h.h.

My plants are growing fine. I started these on March 9. Big sweet onions, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabage, Jalapenos, Bell Peppers.
I started my Tomatoes on March 29 and they are all up.

Asparagus is up.

Last year I crowded my garden and gave most of it away. Mainly because I started too many plants and didnt want to throw them away. This year Im buying my plants for this reason. Still way to cold for any gardening here. h.h.

I have only got 4 tomatoes planted in tubs that I can bring in and out of the garage.