# Teach me how to grow tomatoes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 16, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593 "2008-03-16T23:22:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/21 "2008-03-17T01:50:39Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] What [freckafree](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6058&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=newspaper) said. I love this site, Lehman’s. [/QUOTE] Come on east and visit! I’m about 20 minutes from Lehman’s. If you like their site, you’d LOVE the store. But what\*\* levdrakon\*\* said about a $13 device for making newspaper pots… ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/22 "2008-03-17T01:58:31Z")
Really as much as possible. Tomato plants love the sun and plenty of water. Water everyday if it is convenient for you. I have never seen a tomato plant die from over watering. You may want to invest in a pellet gun for the damn squirrels, at least at my house…bastards. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/23 "2008-03-17T02:28:59Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] Come on east and visit! I’m about 20 minutes from Lehman’s. If you like their site, you’d LOVE the store. But what\*\* levdrakon\*\* said about a $13 device for making newspaper pots… [/QUOTE] What, is it embarrassing to spent $13 on a little piece of wood? If I wasw a woodworker, I don’t think I’d make it for less. C’mon, it’s a cool little, handmade, doodad. I spent a little more than that on breakfast this morning (eggs benedict, no rare ingredients). You guys _must_ be lawyers! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/24 "2008-03-17T02:38:15Z")
[QUOTE=Oslo Ostragoth] I have about a dozen nice-looking seedlings, and about an equal number that are way too leggy. Will they stay small enough to keep them in the cartons for another 5 weeks? Or do I need to start building paper pots? (Great idea, by the way. I’ll see if I can putter around and come up with something.) [/QUOTE] Leggy might mean not enough light, but I wouldn’t worry too much. Tomatoes can root & grow from any part of the stem, so if they seem too leggy come planting time, just bury them deeper. Don’t be afraid to bury a good part of the stem. Besides what others have said about light, water & fertilizer, I find good air circulation important for lots of seedlings. If you don’t have a ceiling fan in the room, you might consider a tabletop oscillating fan set on low. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/25 "2008-03-17T02:38:53Z")
Checked out the video. That’s how it’s done alright, but why does she use so much newspaper? No wonder it doesn’t give way. Wonder how much that boring glass costs? I can’t imagine a life without gadgets. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/26 "2008-03-17T02:45:28Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Checked out the video. That’s how it’s done alright, but why does she use so much newspaper? No wonder it doesn’t give way. Wonder how much that boring glass costs? I can’t imagine a life without gadgets. :dubious: [/QUOTE] I don’t even use the glass; I learned how to roll paper into a tube in kindergarten. 😉 IMHO, she does use too much paper. I use half a sheet, and even that comes out a bit thick. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/27 "2008-03-17T02:59:39Z")
IANA lawyer. And IANA guy! You crazy Berkley people! $13+ for eggs benedict?! You get your butt out here to Lehman’s and buy an [egg poacher](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2570&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=egg+poacher), an [egg separator](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1639&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=egg+separator) , and a [lemon reamer](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=4809&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=juicer) and use these gadgets to make your own eggs benedict! 😉 But I agree – she uses too much newspaper. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/28 "2008-03-17T03:09:41Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] IANA lawyer. And IANA guy! You crazy Berkley people! $13+ for eggs benedict?! You get your butt out here to Lehman’s and buy an [egg poacher](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2570&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=egg+poacher), an [egg separator](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1639&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=egg+separator) , and a [lemon reamer](http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=4809&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=juicer) and use these gadgets to make your own eggs benedict! 😉 But I agree – she uses too much newspaper. [/QUOTE] I have all that, but I like to be spoiled. I have yet to conquor hollandaise sauce, but I’ve seen Julia do it. Besides, they make excellent scones, and lemon curd to go with it. And don’t tell you’ve never walked up to a bunch of your women friends and said “Hi, guys”. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/29 "2008-03-17T03:13:14Z")
A few years ago, I started growing my tomatoes upside down. You can buy gizmos to do this, or you can poke some holes in the bottom of a bucket. Wrap the plants in saran wrap to get them through the holes, and fill the bucket with potting soil. Plant basil on the top. Hang the whole thing outside, and voila! beautiful tomatoes. [This link](http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html) has lots of detail. My setup isn’t anywhere near that elaborate, and I’m very happy with the results. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/30 "2008-03-17T03:19:08Z")
Just watch out for those og-damned [tomato hornworms](http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/hornworm.htm) - they ate all my plants the first year. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/31 "2008-03-17T03:22:46Z")
[QUOTE=Dolores Reborn] Just watch out for those og-damned [tomato hornworms](http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/hornworm.htm) - they ate all my plants the first year. [/QUOTE] You should visit your plants every day. While you’re there, add those buggers to the compost. Squish them. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/32 "2008-03-17T03:23:31Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] And don’t tell you’ve never walked up to a bunch of your women friends and said “Hi, guys”. [/QUOTE] Right on, **mangeorge**! All the time! And I worship Julia, who, I’m sure, would have been fine with being in a group addressed as “you guys.” Mmmmm. Eggs benedict. Lemon curd. Scones. Now if only I had a big slice of tomato, raised in a newspaper pot (not too thick, not too thin), to go with it… ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/33 "2008-03-17T03:39:16Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] Right on, **mangeorge**! All the time! And I worship Julia, who, I’m sure, would have been fine with being in a group addressed as “you guys.” Mmmmm. Eggs benedict. Lemon curd. Scones. Now if only I had a big slice of tomato, raised in a newspaper pot (not too thick, not too thin), to go with it… [/QUOTE] Are you the one who told me to read “Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously”? If not, I’ll recommend it to you. Good read, as they say. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/34 "2008-03-17T03:47:06Z")
I have nothing useful to add other than to say there really is nothing quite like fresh off the vine tomato. my Uncle grows them and one year I got in trouble for eating most of the cherry tomatoes they were growing. they were better than grapes. try it if you havent, pick a nice ripe tomato and cut it up just before you eat your sandwich or whatever it is you are putting it on. its a whole different experience than the ones you get at the store. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/35 "2008-03-17T03:48:53Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Are you the one who told me to read “Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously”? If not, I’ll recommend it to you. Good read, as they say. [/QUOTE] Not me! But I shall pursue your recommendation. I’d not heard of it before your mention. I googled it, and it looks really interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/36 "2008-03-17T03:55:31Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] [Here’s](http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_create-seed-starting.html) a pretty good video on making newspaper pots. I didn’t listen to it, so I don’t know how annoying she is in that respect. [/QUOTE] Yeesh, she has an annoying voice. Great link, though. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/37 "2008-03-17T04:09:03Z")
[QUOTE=gravitycrash] Really as much as possible. Tomato plants love the sun and plenty of water. Water everyday if it is convenient for you. I have never seen a tomato plant die from over watering. You may want to invest in a pellet gun for the damn squirrels, at least at my house…bastards. [/QUOTE] I used to have a dog that would get into the garden and gnaw on tomatoes when they were about half grown. Man’s best friend, pffffffft. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/38 "2008-03-17T04:11:59Z")
[QUOTE=The Punkyova] A few years ago, I started growing my tomatoes upside down. You can buy gizmos to do this, or you can poke some holes in the bottom of a bucket. Wrap the plants in saran wrap to get them through the holes, and fill the bucket with potting soil. Plant basil on the top. Hang the whole thing outside, and voila! beautiful tomatoes. [This link](http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html) has lots of detail. My setup isn’t anywhere near that elaborate, and I’m very happy with the results. [/QUOTE] That is so cool that I’ve got to try it, just to freak people out. I think I need some clarification, though. Why such a big hole? I’ve never seen a 2" tomato stem. And how exactly do you keep the thing from falling out before a big root ball forms? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/39 "2008-03-17T15:01:59Z")
[QUOTE=Oslo Ostragoth] That is so cool that I’ve got to try it, just to freak people out. I think I need some clarification, though. Why such a big hole? I’ve never seen a 2" tomato stem. And how exactly do you keep the thing from falling out before a big root ball forms? [/QUOTE] _Somebody_ didn’t Read The Directions. 😉 But I did, and I’ll be stopping at the store on the way home. Maybe I’ll do two, one for cherry tomatoes, and one for slicers. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593/40 "2008-03-17T15:12:54Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] _Somebody_ didn’t Read The Directions. 😉 But I did, and I’ll be stopping at the store on the way home. Maybe I’ll do two, one for cherry tomatoes, and one for slicers. [/QUOTE] If you like cherry tomatoes you might try grape tomatoes too, but don’t blame me if you end up eating them all right off the vine. You have to grow a lot of them if you want any of them to make it into the house. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-how-to-grow-tomatoes/441593.md?page=3)