How do I grow organic tomatoes? Advice for a city kid.

Hi, so I have absolutely no knowledge of how to grow anything plant related. I have a small flower planter with soil. I want to grow some tomatoes, but I live in a small apartment with a balcony. Do I buy seeds or sprouted plants? Will a pot about 14 inches deep work? How often do I water them, where do I get seeds or sprouts, and will they survive in 100 degree california heat?

 

I think you'll need a bigger pot. Growing some Roma Tomatos in an Oak barrel planter and I think it would still like more space. (And they're only getting afternoon / evening sun)
Might want to just pick up a 5 gallon bucket at Home Depot or something.
You're also gonna need something for the plant to grow up like a lenght of chicken wire between two 2"x2" posts.
And then theres the Cow poop,,,


Heres a list of catalog numbers for eBooks on gardening, some organic, some not. Most are from the early 1900's (Ok, some are cookbooks but I havent taken the time to sort thru them all)

Just search the Cat#'s here :http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/search
7hmvg10
8loc310
8loc410
8loc510
8mgrd10
13357
13537
15191
15407
16900
19775
21252
21414
21442
21682
24076
24931
24944
25373
grdwr10
trcrs10

Hope this helps.

 

Choose patio tomatos or celebrity, they are determinent plants so they only grow to a certain size which is perfect for pot culture. This late in the season buy plants, you'll get fruit sooner. If it's 100 degrees which I know well in my part of the state you'll probably need to water them at least twice a day, once in the morning and once late afternoon. If you truly want to grow them organically stay away from all chemical sprays and fertilizers and use natural soils. You're probably going to want to hedge a bit on that though and use a planting mix or potting soil, and probably need to feed them at least every three weeks. Miracle Grow makes a good water soluable fertilizer specifically for tomatos.

 

I thought Miracle Grow was loaded with chemicals? I want to grow organic tomatoes.

 

cow poop and dirt

 

Is that purchaseable at Home Depot? Recall that I live in a city far far away from any sort of Farmers market or farming.

 

craigslist
see if anyone's got poop
or compost

 

You can buy topsoil in bags from places like k-mart, walmart, home depot, and small chain grocers. Topsoil contains very high levels of organic matter and microorganisms. Look at the brands available to you and check out their process like if they add any fertilizers or anything. I am sure you can make your own compost in a small area too.

 

Cool thanks. Ok, last question. Where can I buys sprouted tomato plants online?

 

If you want to grow this time of year, you'll need to use indoor lighting. The season is about over.

"Blackgold" is an organic soilmix from heaven. It contains worm castings and other yummy nutrients your maters will love. Most likely available where you are if you hunt for it.

http://www.nativerootsgarden.com/images/potting_mix_black_gold.jpg



x

 

I said you might want to hedge a bit and Miracle Grow now has an organic line or what they calling organic. When raising plants in pots on a balcony one should consider weight, and pure natural dirt is going to be heavier than planting mixes and for drainage purposes should be amended with sand. This late in the season if you hope to harvest any tomatos with an eastern exposure you better be buying gallon size plants, and there are probably bargains out there. As far as the growers are concerned the season is over. They won't be seeding new plants again until December for the early market in February.

All nurseries resort to water soluable fertilizers for logistics reasons. Remember what you are providing are basic elements NPK, you can't really get much more basically elemental than that. Elements are mainly derived from minerals and therefore not considered organic, because organic by definition would have to be derived from animal or plant material. So organic is relative. Consider when using horse apples you are also applying residue from any antibiotics or vaccinations said horses have received. Natural soils unless dug from pristine conditions have been exposed to environmental pollution, both air and water born, human habitation and or farming wastes.

I practice moderation, I don't spray for every bug, or bait for snails, but I do use synthetic planting mixes which contain perlite or vermiculite. I do use water soluable fertilizers for ease of use and quick absorbtion.

 

No worries about the perlite or vermiculite. Both are natural and inert.

Perlite is heat exploded sand, and vermiculite is a natural mineral thats been exposed to heat till it expands.

I use 200 year old Jamaican bat guano for additional flowering nutrients if needed. Only because I have about 50 pounds left over from way back when.

My rubber tree is going crazy on the stuff. Taller than I am now.

If you hate the crappy tomatoes you get in the store during the wintertime, you'll love reaching for your own fresh ones that you grow yourself.

Vine to plate in two minutes. Party in your mouth.

http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html


x

 

piss on em

 

remember to dilute it.

and in a container you my want to add some pelletized gypsum to deal with the salt.