My first "garden". Looking for tips...

[Chris.]

About three or four weeks ago I planted a small pepper and tomato plant. Each were about 3 or 4 inches tall at the time. Now they are both getting very big (compared to what they were)...I know I need to get a tall pole for the tomato plant soon so it doesnt fall over when it starts to grow fruit. I used large flower pots to plant these in since I dont have the tools to till soil and all of that. I filled each pot halfway with manure compost bought at Lowes and the top half with miracle grow potting soil. They are both doing well as I've said, but I've never had a garden before and I would love to get some nice tomatoes and bell peppers. Anyone have some tips on keeping pests off of my pepper plant? Something is easting the leaves up. Also, should I water these every other day or just as I see the top soil getting dry? I also bought some organic jalapeno seeds. Is it too late to try to grow these? How should I go about growing these seeds?? Here are some [pictures of my two plants. I had some squash in the same pots, but they got drowned because in my stupidity I forgot to drill drain holes in the bottom of the pots. Now both pots have excellent drainage. I dont want to kill these two, because I'm very excited about having some fresh tomatoes and peppers.

ohhh, also, is it possible to grow onions that have been in the refrigerator so long that they grew LONG leaves? How would I go about growing onions?

TIA guys n gals!
Chris

Week two:


today:

[shilala]

You asked a literal book full of questions, brother.
The best way to start is to pick up a book. Square Foot Gardening is probably the best ever written, and I've read hundreds, literally.
It'll give you an excellent base of knowledge, it's simple, and it's a really fun read. Then you can start questions from there.
Seed starting is a whole noter game. It's very difficult for most. If you do it right, it's simple. And tons of fun. Come on over to my hoes and I can teach you in an afternoon.

[SvilleKid]

Go light on fertilizers with a high nitrogen number (first number) High nitrogen will give you plant growth, but not good fruit growth. I make a habit of pinching the "sucklers" out of the limb crooks as they appear, this keeps the plants from branching too many times to be manageable. If you use a stake to support the tomato, I find that cutting rings from old pantyhose legs make good ties. They will stretch some, but if not tied too tightly, will not damage the tomato vines. As to the leave consumption on the pepper plant, it depends on how organic you desire. I use old fashion Sevin dust if I get problems I can't see. Tomato leaves generally are eaten by worms, green worms that are hard to find, but that leave droppings as they eat. Look for the worm, and mash it dead when found. Seeds should generally be started earlier, in planter inside, so they are at transplant stage around Good Friday (for me, in Bama), probably a little later for you, but you might be past prime starting point already. Put the seeds in the freezer if you don't use them, they will generally keep for next year. Try starting in Feb or early march. Old egg cartons make excellent starter beds.

Good luck

[Chris.]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll check that book out if I can find it, and I'll freeze these seeds until next year. Luckily, I haven't seen any worms on my tomato plants and all of its leaves look complete still. I read online that the tomato plant itself is poisonous. I thought that was why I haven't had any pest problems with it...

[alexa071]

In my experience tomato plants do not do very well in containers. I've done it and they look great until about halfway though the season they get root bound and start to have problems with disease or nutrition deficency. I'd think the peppers will be just fine in those containers but for next year you might want to build a raised garden for the tomato plants. As far as watering you will want to water the tomato based on the soil but it tends to dry out VERY fast in a container like you are using there. The peppers like hot and dry so you shouldn't have to water as often as with the tomato (the plant also uses up much less water). I think the seven dust or spray is a good way to go for the insect damage also.

I don't know about the refridgerator onions but I'd just buy some sets (a little late now but you could probably still give it a run) as they are rather cheap and easy to grow.

So far your plants look healthy and I hope you get yourself some tasty vegetables!

[thebayratt]

There are plants you can buy from seeds that repell bugs from Parkseed http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/1556/ to repell some insects. There is another flower they sell, that does the same thing but more effective on insects. I use a concetrated repellent that you hook to a garden hose. Then you are watering the plant and protecting it too. http://www.lowes.com/pd_70266-446-01...ct$identifier= Or a dust like Sevin Dust works good all around. http://www.lowes.com/pd_36264-24182-...sect $y=6$x=23

[Chris.]

Figured I should update you guys.

about two weeks after my original post:






About 2 weeks ago. Now have several small tomatoes and this is a good deal bigger. I need to get a stake and start tieing up the vines.




both plants are considerably larger and the pepper plants started flowering last week. I'll have some fresh bell peppers soon enough! I never did do any pesticides so the pepper leaves are getting eaten up, but it seems to be doing well regardless.

[jjirons69]

Great job, Chris dot. I bet you could grow a mean crop of raisins!!

[TripleF]

I've never grown a garden, but much respect and props to you bro!!!!