Problems with vegetable gardening in SW section of NC?

One Comment

1. Anonymous says:

   October 12, 2009 at 2:15 pm

   Probably both. Tomatoes need to dry out in between watering, if your soil does not drain well this causes a problem. Tomatoes being annuals also need regular feeding, any vegetable food will do fine, you can get them at your local garden store, but with poor drainage your tomatoes will have a hard time getting the nutrients it needs. It is hard to do much with your soil now with the veggies already planted but there is something you can do sounds funny and takes time, but it will help. Take a long 6-8 inch tool like a screwdriver and push down around your plants making deep holes about the size of a pea and as deep as you can make it. Do not get too close to your plant, stay about 4 inches from the stock. This will allow oxygen into your root system and will help drainage, it will also allow your fertilizer to reach the root system. When choosing your plant food read the contents and pick one that is higher in iron, this will help with the yellowing. When your plant has fruit it is important to pull back on the water while the tomatoes are maturing this will develop a heartier fruit with more flavor, and always water early in the day.
   Good luck and Happy gardening…Grandma