Lay them by what? J/K...never heard that expression.....How close are those tomato plants...

Way too close. Wayyyyy too close. I'm gonna go vertical in a cage three feet and then I'll have a wall of 'mater.

I dunno, maybe its a local expression. It means bury the plant more as it grows.

I'd just let them be. If they are "growing like crazy" it should work out fine. Did you direct seed or transplant? Tom

" Laying by" is an old farm term for last cultivation. At that point the plant is on its own. and no, your plants are way too small. It is also not a good idea to hill up cabbage, a little dirt at each cultivation, but you don't want dirt on the tender parts. Encourages root rot organisms. With your lay out you might want to consider mulching as opposed to cultivation.

Ok, thanks!

Yeah, I badly need to newspaper and mulch I've just been swamped the last two weeks. I'll get to that on Saturday :)