some observations

Some observations and what I did that worked, for this year,10,&09. I grew 18 different kind of tomatoes this yr and here are my thoughts if anyone is interested.

Im in Boynton Beach, Fl. East coast, South East, about 2 miles from Atlantic ocean.

Started all seeds on 19 sept,09, Plants went in ground for most part the 26th of Oct, 09. I start seeds in a plastic 20 oz plastic cup with about 2 inches of Als mix in the cup patted down followed by about 1 inch of jiffy seed starting soil patted down. 1 seed in middle of cup pushed down 1/4 inch by finger and covered. As seed developes I pinch off leafs and add more of Als mix to just under the top of the top leafs. This is done at least 3 times. In 6 weeks you have a plant ready to go in ground.

I use Als mix pretty much the way he says to, with the exception of I add 2 cups of garden grow to about 30 gals of medium, 2 handfuls of minors, 2 handfuls of vigaro as a top dressing every 4 weeks and water with diluted foliage pro.

This year has been the coldest this old boy remembers in my 60 yrs in Fl. By cold I mean it just stays and stays.

1] Big Zac, took cold very well, still producing tomatos, im sure the cold has kept them going. Some of the

biggest and prettest tom s ive seen. By far the most consistant. Must have in garden. ****1/2

Giant Belgium, cold took them out right away. However the few toms I got were 1 to 2 lbs. Not the best tasteing in the world but better then a supermarket by far.** Im hoping to learn enough to grow a biggggggggg tomato someday and giant belgium would be one I grow.

Sil Saucer, took and is still takeing the cold best of all the plants, a very late producer. Still very green. Ive got very few toms so far, but nothing sticks out at me as far as the taste gos. **

Delicious, actually the first one the cold killed. I did get 20 or so toms off it tho and some were very big, 1 lb plus. very good tasteing.**** I plan on growing it again and give it another shot as the cold is very weird here in Fl. this year, I got your warming trend, ooopps no politics.

Mexico, heavy, heavy producer. The first crop of toms were averaging 12 ounces easy. They faught the good fight against the cold I just took all the maters off them today. One of the first to produce, with a bunch of maters. You could raise a bunch of youngn's off 4 plants.***** Keep one or two in your garden, I will.

Better boy, I grew one for old times sake, gave away all the plants but one. No cold tolerance at all, probally the 3th kind to go out.*** Good eating tomato.

Bulls heart, first tomato I sliced this year, its also favored by all the mocking birds in Palm Beach County. medium sized tomato very good in a salad, its worth growing just because every one ohs and awls about it.**** 4 stars its that good in a salad. If you got room keep one gwowing.

Im growing a few cher purple, black brandy wine, 1 top gun, 1 bella rosa, and 2 choc cherrys that are just starting to produce, that will be the end of it for this year as after june ive quit fighting the heat. Anyway thinks for listening. I finally figured out this picture thing so look out from now on. If anyone is interested look at the plants in the third picture dated 19,Nov,09 and the plants in the sixth picture dated the 3,Nov,09, to me its some of the fastest growth ive seen, 16 days there at least a foot or better higher and thicker. The plastic sheet in the picture that says bella rosa is what I keep on the cages for reference on what it is and the last time I fertilized.The plants in the totes are my latest crop. I had to sneak in one garden picture, the 10th one Im not telling anyone whats best for them, but I wouldnt be bull headed about trying Als medium. I used to be, my own compost, plus MG potting soil, I would not consider it anymore. Just my thoughts on the 4th of Mar,2010. Sam