#1: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 10:17:15 by roblyn
A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
Thanks for any info.
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#2: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 13:34:51 by JoeSpareBedroom
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6bao5$rm9$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
> tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
>
What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season with a
rototiller?
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#3: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 13:59:02 by roblyn
"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:v1dig.3236$Oh1.481@news01.roc.ny...
> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
> news:e6bao5$rm9$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
> > tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
> >
> > Thanks for any info.
> >
> >
>
> What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season with
a
> rototiller?
no dig, not digging the soil or very minimal tillage, using mulches and
green cover crops.
Report this message |
#4: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 14:07:59 by JoeSpareBedroom
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6bno9$k9o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:v1dig.3236$Oh1.481@news01.roc.ny...
>> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
>> news:e6bao5$rm9$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>> >A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
>> > tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
>> >
>> > Thanks for any info.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season with
> a
>> rototiller?
>
> no dig, not digging the soil or very minimal tillage, using mulches and
> green cover crops.
>
>
Major digging is only needed when preparing a new area that's got deeply
rooted grass or other vegetation. Once the area's cleared of that stuff the
first season, periodic weeding and shallow cultivation should eliminate the
need for further soil disturbance. Cultivation, in my case, consists of
using a goose-neck weeder tool which skims about 2-4 inches below the
surface. This severs the roots of weeds, and also fluffs up the soil, which
is supposed to assist in moisture retention. When mowing, I bag some grass
and sprinkle a 3-4 inch layer around all garden plants. This turns brown
pretty quickly in hot weather, and does a great job of keeping the soil
moist and weeds at a minimum.
Other than this, I don't do anything special. If you can be more specific
with your questions, I can be of more assistance.
Report this message |
#5: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 14:18:41 by roblyn
"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zwdig.3237$Oh1.1291@news01.roc.ny...
>
> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
> news:e6bno9$k9o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >
> > "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:v1dig.3236$Oh1.481@news01.roc.ny...
> >> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
> >> news:e6bao5$rm9$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >> >A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
> >> > tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for any info.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season
with
> > a
> >> rototiller?
> >
> > no dig, not digging the soil or very minimal tillage, using mulches and
> > green cover crops.
> >
> >
>
> Major digging is only needed when preparing a new area that's got deeply
> rooted grass or other vegetation. Once the area's cleared of that stuff
the
> first season, periodic weeding and shallow cultivation should eliminate
the
> need for further soil disturbance. Cultivation, in my case, consists of
> using a goose-neck weeder tool which skims about 2-4 inches below the
> surface. This severs the roots of weeds, and also fluffs up the soil,
which
> is supposed to assist in moisture retention. When mowing, I bag some grass
> and sprinkle a 3-4 inch layer around all garden plants. This turns brown
> pretty quickly in hot weather, and does a great job of keeping the soil
> moist and weeds at a minimum.
>
> Other than this, I don't do anything special. If you can be more specific
> with your questions, I can be of more assistance.
Yup, sounds no diggish to me. How do 'you' grow tomatos using a no dig
system. What steps do you take through the growing season from seed to final
harvest. Thanks.
rob
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#6: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 14:42:34 by JoeSpareBedroom
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6bot9$mpg$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:zwdig.3237$Oh1.1291@news01.roc.ny...
>>
>> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
>> news:e6bno9$k9o$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>> >
>> > "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> > news:v1dig.3236$Oh1.481@news01.roc.ny...
>> >> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
>> >> news:e6bao5$rm9$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>> >> >A question here for no till gardeners, what steps do you take growing
>> >> > tomatos (from seedlings to final harvest).
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for any info.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season
> with
>> > a
>> >> rototiller?
>> >
>> > no dig, not digging the soil or very minimal tillage, using mulches and
>> > green cover crops.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Major digging is only needed when preparing a new area that's got deeply
>> rooted grass or other vegetation. Once the area's cleared of that stuff
> the
>> first season, periodic weeding and shallow cultivation should eliminate
> the
>> need for further soil disturbance. Cultivation, in my case, consists of
>> using a goose-neck weeder tool which skims about 2-4 inches below the
>> surface. This severs the roots of weeds, and also fluffs up the soil,
> which
>> is supposed to assist in moisture retention. When mowing, I bag some
>> grass
>> and sprinkle a 3-4 inch layer around all garden plants. This turns brown
>> pretty quickly in hot weather, and does a great job of keeping the soil
>> moist and weeds at a minimum.
>>
>> Other than this, I don't do anything special. If you can be more specific
>> with your questions, I can be of more assistance.
>
> Yup, sounds no diggish to me. How do 'you' grow tomatos using a no dig
> system. What steps do you take through the growing season from seed to
> final
> harvest. Thanks.
>
> rob
None of the steps are any different, except for one, which depends on your
soil: If you're dealing with "bad soil", which can mean many things, you may
want to prepare a hole a few sizes larger than the seedling's root ball, and
add potting soil. I've done this a few times when the soil's contained lots
of clay and I wanted to plant immediately, rather than waiting for soil
improvements to do their job, which can take months or longer.
Regardless of whether you till or not, a tool like this is a must. I also
have a hand version:
http://www.gardeners.com/Swan-Neck-Hoe/default/StandardCatal og.GardeningTools_LaborSaving.34-526.cpd
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#7: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-09 22:20:52 by g len
g'day george,
none mate don't prune anymore, don;t stake them up, just make sure
they get the water they need, check for any grub attacks, set fruit
fly traps for the fruit fly and pick ripe fruit.
On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:17:15 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
wrote:
snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,
len
--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."
http://www.gardenlen.com
Report this message |
#8: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-10 08:07:41 by roblyn
I guess first question len is how to propogate them. Grow in a container
seperately in sunny spot etc, or plant straight in to the ground with mulch
removed and reapply mulch round it once plants grows a few inchs high, or
indent the mulch and fill with compost/soil and plants the seed straight
into that.
Advice appreciated.
rob
"gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:2klj82hjedarbcoubr02smotig03buagtp@4ax.com...
> g'day george,
>
> none mate don't prune anymore, don;t stake them up, just make sure
> they get the water they need, check for any grub attacks, set fruit
> fly traps for the fruit fly and pick ripe fruit.
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:17:15 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
> wrote:
>
> snipped
> With peace and brightest of blessings,
>
> len
>
> --
> "Be Content With What You Have And
> May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
> A World That You May Not Understand."
>
> http://www.gardenlen.com
Report this message |
#9: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-10 13:54:27 by JoeSpareBedroom
Where do you live?
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6dnhe$brd$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>I guess first question len is how to propogate them. Grow in a container
> seperately in sunny spot etc, or plant straight in to the ground with
> mulch
> removed and reapply mulch round it once plants grows a few inchs high, or
> indent the mulch and fill with compost/soil and plants the seed straight
> into that.
>
> Advice appreciated.
>
> rob
>
>
> "gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:2klj82hjedarbcoubr02smotig03buagtp@4ax.com...
>> g'day george,
>>
>> none mate don't prune anymore, don;t stake them up, just make sure
>> they get the water they need, check for any grub attacks, set fruit
>> fly traps for the fruit fly and pick ripe fruit.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:17:15 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
>> wrote:
>>
>> snipped
>> With peace and brightest of blessings,
>>
>> len
>>
>> --
>> "Be Content With What You Have And
>> May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
>> A World That You May Not Understand."
>>
>> http://www.gardenlen.com
>
>
Report this message |
#10: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-10 14:56:04 by Robert Fuchs
On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 23:59:02 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
wrote:
>> What do you mean by "no till"? Not turning the soil over each season with
>a
>> rototiller?
>
>no dig, not digging the soil or very minimal tillage, using mulches and
>green cover crops.
Geography probably makes a difference in growing tomatoes, but my
favorite growing method was to dig a hole about bushel basket size and
fill it with composted lawn grass from the year before, along with a
bit of lime and magnesium (Epsom Salts). The magnesium helps with
blossom drop, that seems to occur more with composted tomatoes. Set
a tomato plant in the composted material with a mixture of garden soil
and keep the area covered in mulch, either more composted grass or
freshly cut when I ran out of composted grass.
There is a drawback to composting and mulching heavily, it causes the
ground temperature to be a bit cooler and the plant tends to grow
bigger and a bit slower before producing tomatoes. Most of my
composted plants lived through the hottest part of summer and began to
produce again when the weather cooled. At the end of the season the
vine will have grown up over a 6' cage and back down to the ground
again. YMMV
Regards,
Hal Zone 8 Georgia
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#11: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-10 21:36:43 by g len
g'day george,
i'm one of those who has trouble getting seeds to germinate, so
generally i buy seedlings. but i have planted seeds into drills by
pulling the compost apart a bit not much sprinkle seeds along the
drill and lightly cover with a sandy material, then when they have
their second leaves developed they can be dug out seperated and
transplanted (they do suffer some transplant shock).
to do that i always trim off the first leaves and plant the stem to
about 3/4 the length of the stem into the ground, this gives those
young roots protection from the heat of the sun and gives a stronger
growing tomato as roots grow up the lenght of the stem.
i have never had much joy in propgating seeds in trays etc.,. just me
i think hey lol? have had better luck when direct seeding but then
there is all that extra back work easing seedlings from the ground and
transplanting.
snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,
len
--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."
http://www.gardenlen.com
Report this message |
#12: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-11 04:32:31 by roblyn
new zealand. frosts in mid winter (soon) but gone by early spring. Heaps of
rain and mild dry summers.
rob
"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Tpyig.3176$oa1.2934@news02.roc.ny...
> Where do you live?
>
> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
> news:e6dnhe$brd$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >I guess first question len is how to propogate them. Grow in a container
> > seperately in sunny spot etc, or plant straight in to the ground with
> > mulch
> > removed and reapply mulch round it once plants grows a few inchs high,
or
> > indent the mulch and fill with compost/soil and plants the seed straight
> > into that.
> >
> > Advice appreciated.
> >
> > rob
> >
> >
> > "gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> > news:2klj82hjedarbcoubr02smotig03buagtp@4ax.com...
> >> g'day george,
> >>
> >> none mate don't prune anymore, don;t stake them up, just make sure
> >> they get the water they need, check for any grub attacks, set fruit
> >> fly traps for the fruit fly and pick ripe fruit.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:17:15 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> snipped
> >> With peace and brightest of blessings,
> >>
> >> len
> >>
> >> --
> >> "Be Content With What You Have And
> >> May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
> >> A World That You May Not Understand."
> >>
> >> http://www.gardenlen.com
> >
> >
>
>
Report this message |
#13: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-11 14:26:35 by JoeSpareBedroom
George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods, or go
to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time you feel
like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no relationship to
how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're trying to
expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which it has
no effect.
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6fv9p$h8i$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> new zealand. frosts in mid winter (soon) but gone by early spring. Heaps
> of
> rain and mild dry summers.
>
> rob
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Tpyig.3176$oa1.2934@news02.roc.ny...
>> Where do you live?
>>
>> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
>> news:e6dnhe$brd$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>> >I guess first question len is how to propogate them. Grow in a container
>> > seperately in sunny spot etc, or plant straight in to the ground with
>> > mulch
>> > removed and reapply mulch round it once plants grows a few inchs high,
> or
>> > indent the mulch and fill with compost/soil and plants the seed
>> > straight
>> > into that.
>> >
>> > Advice appreciated.
>> >
>> > rob
>> >
>> >
>> > "gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
>> > news:2klj82hjedarbcoubr02smotig03buagtp@4ax.com...
>> >> g'day george,
>> >>
>> >> none mate don't prune anymore, don;t stake them up, just make sure
>> >> they get the water they need, check for any grub attacks, set fruit
>> >> fly traps for the fruit fly and pick ripe fruit.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:17:15 +1200, "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> snipped
>> >> With peace and brightest of blessings,
>> >>
>> >> len
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> "Be Content With What You Have And
>> >> May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
>> >> A World That You May Not Understand."
>> >>
>> >> http://www.gardenlen.com
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
Report this message |
#14: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-14 11:37:55 by roblyn
"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%ZTig.3354$Oh1.217@news01.roc.ny...
> George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods, or
go
> to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time you
feel
> like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no relationship
to
> how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're trying to
> expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which it
has
> no effect.
not really Joe, certainly not my intention if that is the impression from my
question. For a host of reasons I am going for no till and I also want to go
for minimal time input and fuss. I have grown tomatos from seed in a
standard bed before no problems but never tried it no till. I have never,
and want to avoid wherever, indoor propogating and then transplanting. Hence
the question, has anyone had any success planting straight into a mulch such
as straw or hay or similar weed suppressent. If I use a compost mulch over
the soil it should be no problem sowing into that. I am unsure whether
seeding into a straw mulch, for instance, will produce good growing.
Obviously the alternative is to sow in to soil and mulch when it starts
growing. I want to sample other peoples experiences where possible however
to get a steer from their successes or failures.
rob
Report this message |
#15: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-14 11:47:36 by JoeSpareBedroom
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6olbc$apk$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%ZTig.3354$Oh1.217@news01.roc.ny...
>> George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods, or
> go
>> to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time you
> feel
>> like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no relationship
> to
>> how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're trying to
>> expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which it
> has
>> no effect.
>
> not really Joe, certainly not my intention if that is the impression from
> my
> question. For a host of reasons I am going for no till and I also want to
> go
> for minimal time input and fuss. I have grown tomatos from seed in a
> standard bed before no problems but never tried it no till. I have never,
> and want to avoid wherever, indoor propogating and then transplanting.
> Hence
> the question, has anyone had any success planting straight into a mulch
> such
> as straw or hay or similar weed suppressent. If I use a compost mulch over
> the soil it should be no problem sowing into that. I am unsure whether
> seeding into a straw mulch, for instance, will produce good growing.
> Obviously the alternative is to sow in to soil and mulch when it starts
> growing. I want to sample other peoples experiences where possible however
> to get a steer from their successes or failures.
>
> rob
You would not sow into straw mulch. Maybe into compost, but certainly not
into straw.
Report this message |
#16: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-14 15:24:17 by I Love Lucy
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6olbc$apk$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%ZTig.3354$Oh1.217@news01.roc.ny...
>> George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods,
>> or
> go
>> to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time
>> you
> feel
>> like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no
>> relationship
> to
>> how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're
>> trying to
>> expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which
>> it
> has
>> no effect.
>
> not really Joe, certainly not my intention if that is the impression
> from my
> question. For a host of reasons I am going for no till and I also want
> to go
> for minimal time input and fuss. I have grown tomatos from seed in a
> standard bed before no problems but never tried it no till. I have
> never,
> and want to avoid wherever, indoor propogating and then transplanting.
> Hence
> the question, has anyone had any success planting straight into a
> mulch such
> as straw or hay or similar weed suppressent. If I use a compost mulch
> over
> the soil it should be no problem sowing into that. I am unsure whether
> seeding into a straw mulch, for instance, will produce good growing.
> Obviously the alternative is to sow in to soil and mulch when it
> starts
> growing. I want to sample other peoples experiences where possible
> however
> to get a steer from their successes or failures.
I have grown from seed, but that was more or less in a prepared bed;
they got a late start in my area so didn't do as well as the ones you
buy and stick in the ground.
Those I buy, dig a hole where I want them (clear grass cover away if
present) and just stick in the ground, don't space, never used to mulch
around them but that is the thing now.
If you are starting from seed, I'd rake the mulch and straw aside until
the seedlings are tall enough to clear it, then place around them again.
Some people around here just use grass clippings for mulch, most don't
fuss over them much, and as long as they are caged up, tied up,
whatever, produce nice fruit.
Tomatoes are really easy to grow and will tolerate a lot.
>
> rob
>
>
>
>
>
Report this message |
#17: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-14 15:55:34 by JoeSpareBedroom
"George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:e6olbc$apk$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%ZTig.3354$Oh1.217@news01.roc.ny...
>> George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods, or
> go
>> to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time you
> feel
>> like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no relationship
> to
>> how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're trying to
>> expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which it
> has
>> no effect.
>
> not really Joe, certainly not my intention if that is the impression from
> my
> question. For a host of reasons I am going for no till and I also want to
> go
> for minimal time input and fuss. I have grown tomatos from seed in a
> standard bed before no problems but never tried it no till. I have never,
> and want to avoid wherever, indoor propogating and then transplanting.
> Hence
> the question, has anyone had any success planting straight into a mulch
> such
> as straw or hay or similar weed suppressent. If I use a compost mulch over
> the soil it should be no problem sowing into that. I am unsure whether
> seeding into a straw mulch, for instance, will produce good growing.
> Obviously the alternative is to sow in to soil and mulch when it starts
> growing. I want to sample other peoples experiences where possible however
> to get a steer from their successes or failures.
>
> rob
Maybe this is the answer you're looking for: Every year, a few tomatoes
fall off my plants and rot. In autumn, I lightly cultivate the whole garden.
The seeds from those fallen tomatoes end up everywhere, including areas
which are highly compacted by foot traffic. While these footpaths are not
identical to land that's never been tilled, they're the closest thing to it
in my garden. The tomato seeds sprout everywhere, and if I didn't weed them
out, I'm sure they'd produce healthy plants.
In other words, you don't have to till. But, to some extent, you'll get
better results if you at least prepare each spot where you stick seeds or
plants. "Spot" could be as small as a hole one foot across, amended with
some composted manure, or homemade compost. You may also need to adjust pH,
if it's way off.
Report this message |
#18: Re: No Till growing tomatos
Posted on 2006-06-15 11:45:30 by roblyn
"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:qzUjg.3552$Oh1.1161@news01.roc.ny...
> "George.com" <roblyn@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
> news:e6olbc$apk$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> >
> > "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:%ZTig.3354$Oh1.217@news01.roc.ny...
> >> George, the bottom line here is that whether you use no-till methods,
or
> > go
> >> to the other extreme and till the hell out of your soil every time you
> > feel
> >> like starting a noisy machine (like my neighbor), it has no
relationship
> > to
> >> how you plant the seeds and care for the plants. I think you're trying
to
> >> expand the no-till subject to overlap an aspect of gardening on which
it
> > has
> >> no effect.
> >
> > not really Joe, certainly not my intention if that is the impression
from
> > my
> > question. For a host of reasons I am going for no till and I also want
to
> > go
> > for minimal time input and fuss. I have grown tomatos from seed in a
> > standard bed before no problems but never tried it no till. I have
never,
> > and want to avoid wherever, indoor propogating and then transplanting.
> > Hence
> > the question, has anyone had any success planting straight into a mulch
> > such
> > as straw or hay or similar weed suppressent. If I use a compost mulch
over
> > the soil it should be no problem sowing into that. I am unsure whether
> > seeding into a straw mulch, for instance, will produce good growing.
> > Obviously the alternative is to sow in to soil and mulch when it starts
> > growing. I want to sample other peoples experiences where possible
however
> > to get a steer from their successes or failures.
> >
> > rob
>
> Maybe this is the answer you're looking for: Every year, a few tomatoes
> fall off my plants and rot. In autumn, I lightly cultivate the whole
garden.
> The seeds from those fallen tomatoes end up everywhere, including areas
> which are highly compacted by foot traffic. While these footpaths are not
> identical to land that's never been tilled, they're the closest thing to
it
> in my garden. The tomato seeds sprout everywhere, and if I didn't weed
them
> out, I'm sure they'd produce healthy plants.
>
> In other words, you don't have to till. But, to some extent, you'll get
> better results if you at least prepare each spot where you stick seeds or
> plants. "Spot" could be as small as a hole one foot across, amended with
> some composted manure, or homemade compost. You may also need to adjust
pH,
> if it's way off.
Thanks for the advice from all. I guess I will seed and then mulch when the
tomatos have come up though I may try seeding a few into a hollow scraped
out from straw and filled with compost just top see how they go. Any further
advice from people welcome.
rob
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