Today I’m back with Jade. We’re on the allotment looking at her impressive crop of over 70 tomato plants, all housed and protected within their own ‘magic tomato cave’.
TL: Before I ask you about this wonderful structure and how it’s made – let’s talk about the tomatoes…
J: I plant my tomatoes in the hottest spot on the plot. Here it’s in this predominantly south facing position with the added bonus of radial heat from shed. To prepare the soil I chopped down nettles, of which there were plenty and dug them into soil with well rotted compost. I also prepare the ground with Q vitax and Growmore which is easy to rake in. I also use a product called Growaid . A natural slug defence, it’s sheep’s wool in pellet form. Plus it releases nitrogen back into the soil when it decomposes. For me, really taking the time to prepare the soil well, makes the summer easier. I then plant the tomatoes close together so that they create their own canopy to prevent weed growth.
TL: And how do you look after your tomatoes once there in?
J: I make up my own plant mixes, I mix comfrey and nettle. I also make up a feed with Marestail, it’s a silica rich plant and my hope is to help build up the plant’s defences against blight. I also feed weekly with the water soluble version of Tomorite when flowering starts. I water in the morning and only at soil level so no water splashes.
As the tomatoes are undercover it’s important to ensure that there is still ventilation. At very warm temperature, leaves will roast and burn. To help with air circulation I mostly take off lower leaves and any yellowing leaves.
But I haven’t done this for all the plants, for some I’ve created a support system by using plastic netting cut to size and wired together from which I’ve created a circular ‘cage’. These I just leave alone.
TL: Tell me about the steps you have taken to protect your tomatoes against blight?
J:I spray with Bordeaux Mixture but have also created this protected environment. The idea is to keep blight spores off the plants. It’s made from corrugated plastic but the main feature is horticultural 25g fleece. This fabric allows light and air through but should provide a barrier to the spores. I can easily lift up the sides to water the ground and the structure is built on adjustable poles so the height can be increased as the plants grow upwards. It’s the first time I’ve used fleece as blight protection but I’m really hoping it works as lightweight and flexible and so straightforward to use as a covering.
TL: Many thanks to Jade for sharing her tomato know-how, her thoughts on planting for productivity and her unique tomato protection structures.
And don’t forget you can follow Jade and her allotment on Twitter at Toots2
(These pictures were taken at the very end of June – so I’ll also post updated ones with ripening tomatoes.)
