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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-04-14, Page 447s Cage that tomato! Robert Sanders, an acid gardener from central Iowa, has given w the details for making cages to support large -cited tomato plants: "Elephant -size yields— up to 200 tomatoes per plant — can be pro- duced by training individual plants within 18 -inch diameter cages' of concrete reinforcing wire with 6 x 6 in. mesh. Time- consuming pruning, staking, and tying are eliminated. Plants grow naturally, like a tree, and can reach a height of 7 ft. As tomatoes are high and dry and protected by the plant's own foliage, there's no problem of sunscald, cracking or rotting on the ground. "Bonus production comes not only from the increased vigor of each plant but also from suckers which you may have pruned out in the past. "But you can't just plop a plant in the ground, throw a ring around it and walk away. This method, like others, has its own 'rules.' Here's the technique: First, plan on only one-sixth to one-third the usual ntunber of plants, pro- viding your garden, ordinarily pro- duces an average or 30 tomatoes per traditionally pruned and staked plant. 'Choose a vigorous, indeter- minate main crop tomato variety. (Compact, .low -growing determi- nate types, which include many early varieties, don't need this type of support.) I've had excellent re- sults with 'Golden Boy' and 'Better Boy' VFN, which is resistanCto ver- ticillium wilt, fusarium wilt and nematodes. In a recent test, just eight plants of these two varieties produced a total of more than 1,400 tomatoes, many over a pound and some two pounds in weight. More than 500 of these were brought in just before a kill- ing frost in 'October. Placed in a cool basement and covered with newspapers to keep out light, these partially•ripened or green toma- toes lasted until well after Christmas. "To make individual tomato cages, count off 10 squares (5 ft.) of concrete reinforcing wire, cut the next 6 -in. section in half. Bend and crimp this 3 -in. extension to form a ring; cut off the remaining 3 in. and start a new ring. "Many suppliers (see Yellow Pages under 'concrete') will cut the wire into 5 ft. 3 -in. lengths for you. Don't be .tempted to substitute a smaller mesh wire. If you do, many tomatoes will be trapped in• side the ring and difficult to reach. "Plan the positioning of the rings well in advance of the grow- ing season. Allow 3-5 ft. between Robert and his tomato cages rings to provide full -season grow- ing room and adequate ventila- tion. As early as the ground can be worked, plant fast -maturing crops such as lettuce and peas between locations. To give plants a fast start and keep them growing without set- back, I always build an individual compost 'heap' beneath each to- mato plant.' Two weeks before planting, 1 dig boles 15-24 in. deep and about a foot' in diameter. 1 fill each hole with water, add V. cup of fish emulsion (available at garden centers) and let it soak in. Just for good measure, I repeat the pre -plant feeding twice more. "At the bottom of the holes, I add about a 3 -in, layer of dried grass clippings, then throw in a couple of shovelfuls of coonpost or manure (the dehydrated garden center variety may be substituted). All this is topped -with a handful of bone meal and another of su• perphosphate or rock phosphate, mixed together and dampened with a sprinkling can. Replace the soil until ground is level, "With the soil thus,prepared, a 12 -15 -in. tomato plant can be planted upright and very deep. Roots will develop all along the stem and this gives the plant the extra vigor it needs for heavy pro- duction over a long period. Pinch off all leaves except for the top 14-2 in. This is all that is ex- posed above the ground. Roots will Control crabgrass. now Crabgrass is a problem that can spoil a good home lawn by smothering out better grasses during the hot summer months. A Ministry of Agriculture and Food specialist suggests that the best time to control crabgrass is late in April and early in May, before the seedlings appear. "Crabgrass is a warm weather, annual grass which grows from seed each spring. It can be found in areas of bright sunlight wherever turf is thin. But by using one of the preemergent crabgrass killers before the seed is ready to germinate and grow, a we can obtain almost 100 percent 'control of this annual pest," says horticulturist Rik. Fleming. He recommends that gar- deners obtain a brand of crabgrass killer from a local garden center. They are available in both liquid and granular formulations. Most effective control is obtained by following the rate recommended by the manufacturer. Cultural methods that ensure a' strong and healthy turf will aTia help to discourage crabgrass. Adequate ,soil moisture and regular use of 'fertilizer will keep lawns thick and lush, providing sufficient competition to smother crabgrass. A lawn should not be" cut so closely that it will be weakened. Mowers set at 11/2 to 2 inches cutting height is a good recom mendation. By keeping your lawn in good growing condition and using -crabgrass killer when needed, you can avoid that crabgrass purple haze on your lawn in August. Get more from garden Vegetable gardens can be double and maybe even triple cropped. Spinach, lettuce, radishes or even green onions should be planted now for a fall harvest. Clean out the areas' where vegetables have been picked. Replant with crops that have a short grow;ng season. If late -planted crops are to be successful, they must be kept well -watered, says R. A. Fleming, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food hor- ticulturist. The seeds require plenty of moisture to germinate properly. Apply chemical in- secticides to prevent insects from attacking the crop. Prepare the soil as you would any seed crop, advises Mr. Fleming. Add a pound or two of a good commercial fertilizer to each 100 square feet of garden area, since the ground will have lost much of its richness or nutrients with the first crop. form 4-5 in. above the small com- post 'heap,' which quickly heats up and promotes growth. Roots eventually penetrate the compost area and this supplies valuable nutrients. "At the time of planting, sink a 2-1b. coffee can with holes punched in the bottom just inside each ring. This you'll later use for watering and feeding with 'manure tea.' "Once the first blossoms and fruit begin to appear, it's time to mulch to prevent ,.evaporation of water, stabilize soil temperature, keep roots cool, and prevent weeds. Mulch with whatever is handy. Around each plant and be- tween rings, I use 6 -in. of hay or straw mixed with grass clippings and leaves. hit Tomato plant selection could prove important It's time to give some thought to the type of tomato you're going to plant. Although they may be grown from seeds or purchased as started plants, the started plants tend to be more satisfactory for the gardener who will need only a small crop, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food horticulturist, R. F. Gomme. Seeded tomatoes should be planted in the middle of March in flats in ,a hotbed or in a greenhouse. When they have grown large enough to handle, replant them about three inches apart. Keep them in the flats though until the ground has warmed up because they need heat in order to grow. For the best results, they should be planted in rows three feet apart, with 18 to 24 inches between each plant. .There -are two categories of tomato plants: staking varieties which are grown to a single stem and require supports, and bush varieties which grow at will and do not require pruning. The latter do not produce as early as the single -stemmed plants, but they do tend to yield more fruit. For northern gardeners, Mr. Gomme recommends the middle season varieties such as the Jetfire VF, Springset VF and the Starshot. The Starshot variety ripen in about 55 days and weigh about three ounces each. For cherry tomato lovers, there are three recommended varieties. The Patio Hybrid grows to a height of 30 inches bearing fruit two inches in diameter. The Tiny Tim plants are good for limited spaces or hanging baskets since they only grow about eight inches high and mature in 45 days. The Small Fry varidty contain 100 tomatoes per plant, grow to about 12 inches in height and can spread to ches, making them excellent patio borders. The large beefsteak tuft come in a variety of colors, are the pink Ponderosas or Orange Queen or the low yellow, Golden Queen varieties, Paste tomatoes, which good for preserving as well making pastes, tend to have meatier texture than there tomatoes, says Mr, Gomme Top, considered the best v. for tomato pastes is p shaped . and about foul long and one and one-halfit thick. For the best results with tomato plants, Mr. Gom suggests you prepare the gr well before planting, DEEP TRANSPLANTING GOOD ONLY FOR TOMATOES Tomato plants can be set so in the ground that only a little of leaves shows above the In loose or sandy soil, you tun plants vertically, but in beuty poorly drained soil, it is bent dig a slanting trench 2 to deep and lay the plant ii the top 4 to 6 sets of leaves ui out. Trim off all the leave' would be under the surfatt roots will sprout all along length of the stem, Don't try , deep transp with cabbages, eggplant, and flowers. These are fussy planting depth and prefer to in only as deep as the forma line on the plant. You can line where the stems change from pale white to green. .,. rebuild if... you're going to paint, paper, rewire or renew something... you're going to add a room, a patio, a garage, a fence .. . the credit union is a good place to get your financing., the rate is low and there's no charge for loan protection insurance. INTEREST RATE 1 3% PER. ANNUM why not open a chequing account with your Credit Union Clinton Community Credit Union 70 Ontario St. 412-3117 Godeicich Community Credit Union 31St. David St. S24-7131