I planted more of my tomatoes this weekend including my Big Zac seedlings that really aren't that big yet.
I had one of my 4'x4' beds that already has pretty good soil open, so I decided to put only one Big Zac Tomato plant in it. Usually I would put two to four plants in a four foot square bed, but I want to see if giving the plant more room will help grow larger tomatoes.
I am also trying the new Red Tomato Mulch in this bed. The red tomato plastic was developed by Clemson University and the USDA and is supposed to reflect the sun's far-red light wavelengths upward into your tomato plants. According to Gardener's Supply Company, "This triggers the release of a natural plant protein that stimulates more rapid growth and development. Your plants will mature faster, look bushier, and give you a more flavorful, more abundant harvest than ever before." That certainly sounds good and for just over 10 dollars, I decided to give it a try. I used two of the eight sheets of red mulch in this bed and will probably use the others with my Japanese Tomato Ring.
See, this Big Zac isn't very big yet. Some people have grown Big Zac tomatoes that weigh up to seven pounds! Hopefully this Big Zac, with the help of the red tomato mulch, will give me a tomato that's at least three pounds. We'll give it a try!
The boards on the red plastic are just to hold it down until I get some pins and soon I will add a tomato stake or cage as well. It sure looks small right now, doesn't it. I also added some vermicompost from my worm bin to the planting hole, so it should grow quickly.
Happy Tomato Tuesday!
I have to remember about tomato Tuesday...I am trying the red mulch as well this year although I left it off one bed. I think I better put it back on that one after reading the reviews..
Posted by: Donna | May 24, 2011 at 07:32 PM