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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Years ago most everyone agreed that the secret to a giant tomato or pumpkin involved three basic elements which when all were just right would give you the giant you dreamed of. The seed, the soil and the weather. That has not changed. Seeds have improved and will continue to do so. So far, Big Zac and Domingo seem to lead the way. We have tried to control the weather with sun shields, heating tapes, drip watering systems and ultimately huge green houses or tunnels. Lots has been tried in order to improve the availability of nutrients to our plants. Over in the pumpkin group more and more growers have abandoned chemical fertilizers and moved over to using organic products. If you have not given this any thought please do so now. We are entering another season. Most of us have our plans layed out. It may be too late to reconsider your nutrient plan. But, just give it some thought. Over in the pumpkin group some of the top pumpkins grown of late were grown using organic fertilizers with lots of attention paid to soil life. Aerated compost teas, soil inoculation and things along those lines do nothing with chemical fertilizers alone. I am beginning to believe that the impotant elements should add a third category. The seeds, the weather, the soil and the life within.

4/4/2019 9:03:19 AM

Norfolk, UK

Certainly hope to be doing what I can for my soil life; this season as per other seasons. The compost tea brewer had a few upgrades too over winter.

4/4/2019 2:10:25 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think humus plus chemicals has been shown to be the way to go. I think you're right that a pure chemical system lacks something. Having the right biology is great. But you could have the correct biology and yet do better with chemicals?

4/4/2019 3:12:41 PM

Grittyville, WA

Willemijns pushed both sides. And look at the result!!! Its all about results right...

4/4/2019 3:15:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

R u doing the team competition Marv?

4/4/2019 3:18:18 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

One problem I see is having nutrients available during the entire growing season. This can be accomplished better with organic fertilizers and soil life, slow steady nutrient available all season long with foliar feed guaranteeing the micronutrients. The other answer, and not my choice, is fertigation wherein the watering system is drip irrigation with small amounts of fertilizer always present in the water being applied.

4/5/2019 9:13:25 PM

Grittyville, WA

Im not that fancy to fertigate by drip. Tomatoes are small plants... I think it can be done by hand. If they they need more nutrients than are in the ground they will get a watering can spiked with blue juice. But maybe you're right.

4/6/2019 2:31:49 AM

Grittyville, WA

Betting 100% on the organics is fine. I just have had really deficient soil in the past so the chemicals do help.

4/6/2019 2:35:30 AM

Grittyville, WA

I dont think I have your email Marv so U will just post here... Interested in being your teammate if you make the A grower cut. ...I'm only a B grower.

4/7/2019 2:21:48 PM

Grittyville, WA

*meant I will just post question to U here...

4/7/2019 2:22:57 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I am lubadub@aol.com Glenoma Kins

4/7/2019 3:58:39 PM