nmr: Growing tomatoes in a veggie garden

[cransplash]

I have no green thumb, and DH is determined to grow our veggie garden this year. We planted our tomato plants in our veggie bed, and have been watering it every night. During the day, our tomato plant is in full sun, and they are also in a tomato cage (that wire cagey thing).

What are we doing wrong? What can we do to help move the growing process along?

[y4m]

What is happening with them?

Right off the bat, that sounds like too much water, but it will be easier to diagnose with more info. Is it getting taller? Do you have flowers? Fruit? How do the leaves look?

[gardengal]

Unless they are in pots, water 1-2x per week for like 20 min (depending on soil)

Unless they are showing signs of distress, patience. I have read that they won't set fruit if it's like 90+ so you just might need to wait until it cools off a bit if you're in a heat wave

[AAM2012]

I am not sure if you really said what the problem is but I wouldn't water that much unless you are in a super hot location. If you're trying to speed up growth I would recommend Miracle Grow but it still is going to take at least 6 weeks (depending on if you purchased seeds or mature plants) to start getting flowers (which then turn into fruit).

[Poppy]

Fertilizer helps a lot, too!

[aurora]

I'm not sure what the problem is. You just don't have tomatoes yet? We don't either, but our plants are healthy and it's just because of when our growing season started.

I don't know where you live, but if the Loveland in your signature refers to Loveland, CO, you do probably need to water more frequently than in many parts of the country.

[hamster]

Ours never grew either. Then we got a Roma. It's like a weed.

It has loose soil, fertilizer, and 15 minutes of water daily.

[y4m]

I also just got my first ripe tomato--and mine are cherry.

[karinothing]

I just got some almost ripe tomatoes (I think I will pick tomorrow). These are also cherry. I have one larger tomato that is starting to turn red, but none of my large tomato plants (better boy and something else) are producing much this year.

Anyhoo, you never said what the issue is. When did you plant it? Is it growing? Do you have green tomatoes? Flowers?

[Pom]

I suck, but gardening-obsessed Mr. Pom says:

More water, less often. Don't over water. They will crack.
Tomato Set Spray which is hormone that will help them bloom and have more production.

Like this:

www.walmart.com/ip/Bonide-Products-543-Tomato-Blossom-Set-Spray-Ready-To-Use/24814316

[pamela]

Probably too much water and you should try not to water at night, it can lead to rot. You want to water deeper (long and slow) so that the roots grow deep to help withstand drought and help support the plant.

When you planted it, how deep did you plant it? Where are you and how long has it been in the ground?

[cransplash]

Sorry for posting and running!

The issue is that we purchased mature plants (not seeds) about 6 weeks ago and still no fruit/tomatoes.

[Deleted]

Jul 9, 2014 3:36:46 GMT -5 cransplash said:

Sorry for posting and running!

The issue is that we purchased mature plants (not seeds) about 6 weeks ago and still no fruit/tomatoes.

is it flowering?

[dirtyred]

If you've had cool weather, it can take some time for the plant to get into gear. Tomatoes like it hot.

And ditto the pp who said to stop watering at night

[cajunmom]

Ditto everyone else. That's too much water, don't water at night, and get some plant food.

[cransplash]

DH says we have 3 plants, and only 1 is flowering. I had no idea we shouldn't be watering everyday

[LoveTrains]

Way too much water. What zone do you live in?

It's way too early for tomatoes to be picked in my area. Give it a few more weeks. However if you see flowers on one plant you should see fruit soon. Then of course they need time to grow and ripen.

[cransplash]

Jul 9, 2014 8:25:31 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Way too much water. What zone do you live in?

It's way too early for tomatoes to be picked in my area. Give it a few more weeks. However if you see flowers on one plant you should see fruit soon. Then of course they need time to grow and ripen.

We live in southern Ohio.

[changedname]

My tomatoes really reach their peak at the end of August through to the end of October. I'm in Canada though.

I also think you are watering them too much.

[changedname]

Jul 9, 2014 8:16:47 GMT -5 cransplash said:

DH says we have 3 plants, and only 1 is flowering. I had no idea we shouldn't be watering everyday

Flowering is good. You will have some tomatoes soon. To be honest, mine start so late that I often have to pick green ones in the fall and ripen them indoors because of the frost.

[hopenotlost]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet, but gardens typically only need 1-2 inches of water per week (depending on where you live--I'm in Iowa). Definitely lessen how much you're watering the plants, and you will see a difference.

[MadamePresident]

Egg shells are supposed to be good for the soil. Also in know this sounds weird, but do you get a lot of bugs and bees?

I used to have tomatoes on my back deck when I lived in a condo and didn't get a lot of bugs that would pollinate the plants, so I would take my finger and touch the blooms. After I started Dupont that the blooms led to more tomatoes.

[cransplash]

I really appreciate everyone's tips, and we'll begin watering 1-2x/week in the AM.

[Deleted]

I agree with less watering, and water in the AM, not PM. Watering in the PM leaves moisture on the plants overnight when it won't evaporate, moisture sitting on the plant leads to disease. If you've got flowers then if you've for decent pollinators the tomatoes should come in a few weeks.