Settle a tomato - water argument...

[Bubba1235]

Ok not really an argument, a lively discussion with Mrs. Bubba.

I caught her watering the tomatoes again last evening and told her she should not water them daily. Every two to three days (even in this heat) is plenty and over watering is as bad or worse than not enough water. Her reply was that she watered them lightly and did it more frequently. (Everyday)

I made up a drip hose around the base of the plants but she won't take the time to hook it to the garden hose and instead floods the area with an inch of standing water and my saying that leaches the minerals from the soil and drives them too low for the roots to use falls on deaf ears.

Ah to heck with it, I think I'll just buy her a soil moisture tester.... :facepalm:

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

lolol let me know how that works out, I have had the same talk with my wife a few times.

 

[JB]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

"lightly" and "an inch" are not compatible claims. Someone is exaggerating. Guess who?

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

My grandfather always had a layer of mulch around the base of all his tomatoes. Only watered every three of four days. Seemed to work for him.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

I water mine every day. If I let them completely dry out and then water them, the fruit tends to crack.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

I've heard it argued both ways and that over watering can cause the fruit to crack. Old wives tale???

No, I think you're right. I remember my grandfather saying something about that. I have been following his advice for years. Always had a nice crop.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

I've heard every few days, too much may make them taste too watery, mine comin along(just two plants), when I had a house w/ a big back yard, I'd get 2-300 a season until December! And those were all seed planted Romas and cherry, neighbor would make the best salsa for all w/ them!
Last week I made Karl fried green tomatoes, had'nt in years, he loved them!

 

[dlngr]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

I've always watered mine daily,till the plants get a good hold and start getting big. Then it's every 3 to 4 days. I've always had more tomatoes than I know what to do with,and they taste fantastic!

 

[Camo Joe]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

Don't water the tomatoes...........they will taste even better and less bug attack..............

 

[JB]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

Depends on the weather and the soil. Also whether they are heavily mulched or not. Therefore everyone is correct.

I always buried a soaker hose under about 4" of grass clipping mulch and ran it a couple of hours every day. Got superior tomatoes, but that was here and then.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

Now all I have to do is train the dog to only pee on her plants.

Just show your dog how it's done.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Settle a tomato - water argument...

STOP! Fried green tomatoes is almost a ritual each year with us and my mouth is watering at the thought. I'm guessing anothter two full weeks, maybe a tad more before they are ready. You are making the wait worse!

Mrs. Bubba is known far and wide for her batter and fried green tomatoes and I've always said she should let me find a way to pacakge then for sale. If I could I know she could make a killing at the local farmers market. (Local being relative.) I tried freezing them once, both cooked and uncooked and it was just plain yuck no matter how I tried to prepare them after freezing.

All you have to do Bubba is package the seasoned batter for sale. I also love fresh home grown fried green tomatoes but I top mine with lump crab meat, diced scallions, hollandaise sauce, and some fresh ground parmesan cheese. OMG, I think I know what part of my dinner tomorrow night wil be.