Q. I planted Roma, Better Boy and Early Girl tomato
varieties this spring. Over 45 days later they’ve not gotten much bigger than
when I brought them home from the nursery.
varieties this spring. Over 45 days later they’ve not gotten much bigger than
when I brought them home from the nursery.
A. Be careful when mixing woodchips or other woody soil
amendments in the soil. These woodchips require a lot of extra nitrogen as they
decompose, a.k.a., rot. They will slow growth and cause yellowing if mixed in
the soil without any follow-up nitrogen fertilizer applications. It is very
important to add extra nitrogen fertilizer to the soil if you decide to mix anything
in the soil made from wood products.
amendments in the soil. These woodchips require a lot of extra nitrogen as they
decompose, a.k.a., rot. They will slow growth and cause yellowing if mixed in
the soil without any follow-up nitrogen fertilizer applications. It is very
important to add extra nitrogen fertilizer to the soil if you decide to mix anything
in the soil made from wood products.
The
weather has been colder and wetter than normal. This has also slowed down the
growth of warm season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and the like.
Be patient.
weather has been colder and wetter than normal. This has also slowed down the
growth of warm season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and the like.
Be patient.
 |
| Wall o water has been around for a long time and it works a little better than hot caps but more expensive. Be sure to warm the soil before putting transplants out in wall of water or cold soils will slow them down. |
Hot caps
aren’t used much anymore but those along with Wall-o-water plant sleeves were
made to speed up the growth of plants during cool weather. Rediscover these
nifty little garden additions. They keep plants warmer and speed the growth of
warm season vegetables when weather is cool.
aren’t used much anymore but those along with Wall-o-water plant sleeves were
made to speed up the growth of plants during cool weather. Rediscover these
nifty little garden additions. They keep plants warmer and speed the growth of
warm season vegetables when weather is cool.
On the
remote chance something else might be going on, inspect some roots of these
plants and see if there are any small “balls” growing on them.
remote chance something else might be going on, inspect some roots of these
plants and see if there are any small “balls” growing on them.
 |
| Root knot nematode on tomato |
If found this
might indicate nematodes are in the soil and a problem. Nematodes infesting
plant roots can slow them down as well. Not much you can do if they are present
except replace the soil and plants. This is one reason container gardening can
be worthwhile. The containers can be sanitized and the soil replaced more easily
than in a garden bed.
might indicate nematodes are in the soil and a problem. Nematodes infesting
plant roots can slow them down as well. Not much you can do if they are present
except replace the soil and plants. This is one reason container gardening can
be worthwhile. The containers can be sanitized and the soil replaced more easily
than in a garden bed.