IF IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR POCAHONTAS IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!!!

HOW I PLANT MY TOMATOES

There are many different theories about the proper method of planting tomatoes. I have tried most and have settled on a method that seems to work best for me in the Mississippi Delta. As stated previously, I believe that a good strong root system is vital for the hot humid Delta growing season. At planting time the average height of my plants is about two feet. A deep hole is a "must" to bury the long stems. Some believe my plants are too "leggy" and that a shorter, stouter plant is preferred, but I disagree.  I dig a hole at least two feet deep straight down and plant the tomato vertically. I remove all of the leaves of the plant up to the top cluster. Pulling the leaves downward to the base also skins the stalk (like peeling a banana). This is important because all that part of the stem which is underground forms lateral roots from the skinned portion of the stalk that can radiate sideways as much as six feet--- helping the plant take in water and the nutritents in the soil.

As is shown in the photograph I have added some supplements in the very bottom of each deep hole. This year I have added a heaping handfull of oak wood ashes from our fireplace, about 1/2 cup of bone meal, 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate), a generous sprinkling of Osmocote (a time release fertilizer) and about two heaping table spoons of MiracleGrow (quick release fertilizer). I mix up the supplements and then cover the bottom with about six inches of soil so as not to burn the roots.

In the past I have also added fresh caught half-pound bass which decompose during the growing season furnishing additional nutrients. I figured that if it was good enough for Pocahontas, it would be good enough for me. I have read that some growers also add Tums or powered milk to supply calcium and pennies to supply the trace element of copper to the soil. This year my fishermen friends, Cliff Camp and Anthony Cascio,  failed me in providing the fresh bass.

Don't be afraid to skin the stalks. It will not hurt the plant which will recover very quickly after planting,

Plant the tomato all the way down in the bottom of the hole with only the last cluster of leaves above ground. I mound the plant by pushing the dirt up around the stem and then dig a trench or moat all the way around the new planting. This allows the water to pond around the plant to be directed downward to the roots. It is best to plant on a cloudy day or in the late evening. After planting water the new plant making sure that it is soaked all the way down to the roots.

NEXT-- MULCH THE TOMATO BED