Does anyone have tips on growing tomatoes? Every year I plant one or two plants, every year they put out a paltry 3 or 4 maters each and that's it. This year, due to lack of space in my garden, I bought the new "compact" version of the tomato plants. They are just now putting out a few blooms. I fertilize with miracle grow about every week. I planted them in the ground but in a raised garden bed covered in top soil. I live in Georgia so have the clay to contend with.

Anyway, what I'm looking for is homemade fertilizer tips or other ideas on growing mater plants that will make them produce all summer. As I mentioned, my plants always put out a few paltry tomatos and then resign. (gee, that sounds kinda nice...)

Thanks,
Kelly
kellystone@kellylstone.com

Kelly, I'm a Miracle Grow fan too. I have lots of flowers, but no veggies. I'll have to ask my brother-in-law what he uses because he grows the best tomatoes I've ever dripped!

Hi Dotsie-

Well, I discovered the culprit and poor tomato growth and for once it wasn't me! Rabbits! The little devils are all over the place in my neighborhood. One was out there munching away yesterday while my cats were going wild inside. Guess I'll have to build a scarecrow or something.

Kelly

Aha, had to be something, huh?

This sounds gross, but dried worm blood can be purchased at the garden shop. Sprinkle a little around the bottom of the plants and it should keep the rabbits away without hurting them.

My brother-in-law also uses cow manure in the fall to fertilze the soil. p-u!

Okay, I know this will drive you all crazy but I just read Dotsie post that said dried worm blood will bla..bla..bla...

and I'm thinking..."dried worm blood?"

Can you imagine the number of worms they would have had to draw blood from to get one vial? There's a market for this? I'm captured! Anybody know any more about this? I could go out in my yard, do a little stomping, scrap up the blood, sell it, and bye bye credit card bill, eh?

SMILES? Your take on it?

JJ