Tomato Grow-Off.

[geekinprogress]

I would totally join the running for cherry tomatoes!  I'm trying to grow ~5 varieties of cherry tomato this year.  I like the idea of a plucky flyweight competition :) 

Following the thread to hopefully absorb tomato-growing-wisdom! 

[FerrumB5]

I'll join. Beefsteak, Better Boy, and Cherry (heirloom).

[horsepoor]

I would totally join the running for cherry tomatoes!  I'm trying to grow ~5 varieties of cherry tomato this year.  I like the idea of a plucky flyweight competition :) 

Following the thread to hopefully absorb tomato-growing-wisdom!

May God have mercy on your soul.

(please don't tell me you've also got 10 zucchini plants).

[geekinprogress]

I would totally join the running for cherry tomatoes!  I'm trying to grow ~5 varieties of cherry tomato this year.  I like the idea of a plucky flyweight competition :) 

Following the thread to hopefully absorb tomato-growing-wisdom!

May God have mercy on your soul.

(please don't tell me you've also got 10 zucchini plants).

Well, for the last few years I've grown 3-4 cherry tomato plants, and haven't been able to keep up with the demand from me, my best friend, and my mom; we eat them like candy, though.  This is my first year starting from seed, and also my first year with a community garden plot (I've just been gardening in containers until now) so I wanted to try an assortment of varieties to experiment with to see what worked best. 

(Just one zucchini :) )

[FerrumB5]

I planted 6 each cherry, beef, better boy. When they were not germinating, I planted more ... now I have new ones + old ones total 27 vs planned 18.. oh boy. Even worse with jalapenos - 17 vs planned 5

[Cressida]

Just realized I gendered you as a 'her' without being sure. Sorry. Then you quoted me so I can't go back and make it neutral before anyone notices. Apologies for assumptions, etc.

Is the American Spelling W-A-L-M-A-R-T???

No worries, I'm of the lady persuasion. Also, I live in Seattle. We have no W-A-L-M-A-R-Ts.

What exactly is an earthbox? I mean, I can see what you did, but why does one choose that option over others? Just curious because I will definitely be doing containers; we have no acreage.

[horsepoor]

I would totally join the running for cherry tomatoes!  I'm trying to grow ~5 varieties of cherry tomato this year.  I like the idea of a plucky flyweight competition :) 

Following the thread to hopefully absorb tomato-growing-wisdom!

May God have mercy on your soul.

(please don't tell me you've also got 10 zucchini plants).

Well, for the last few years I've grown 3-4 cherry tomato plants, and haven't been able to keep up with the demand from me, my best friend, and my mom; we eat them like candy, though.  This is my first year starting from seed, and also my first year with a community garden plot (I've just been gardening in containers until now) so I wanted to try an assortment of varieties to experiment with to see what worked best. 

(Just one zucchini :) )

Maybe it's a difference in growing season, but I have to force myself to stick to one Black Cherry plant and avoid the temptation to grow any other cherries.  It basically supplies us endless tomatoes for fresh eating for two people, two dogs and five chickens, I bring bags full of them to the office, and towards end of summer, I'm letting them rot on the vine.  If I had five you'd find me in a straightjacket by the end of summer.

[Mmm_Donuts]

We haven't started seeds indoors or anything, but when the weather steadies I'm sure we'll be planting some container tomatoes! I'm in, if only to follow along and showcase some tomatoes half eaten by squirrels at the end of the season :)

[Le Poisson]

EquinePovertyCase, FutureComputerGenius, Vitamins, and Lover-of-Donuts... you're all added.

Why Earthboxes... Dunno. Looked like a cool experiment. Its supposed to conserve water and prove a better growing environment. And I have an amazing talent for forgetting to water container plants, so that's good stuff. We'll see how it works out.

[dandypandys]

We have 3 types. But I will have to go look to see what kind- one  is cherry tomoto, one is a grape and one is heirloom. All three have had blight and come through the other end to varying degrees. We are getting so many crops right now it is great!

When you say "come through the other end" I am curious exactly what you are talking about... and whether you have a safe following distance posted on your pants.

You are added.

omg
i just got yr joke now, im such a dunce LOL

[RetiredAt63]

I'm in, cherry tomato category.  My other plants are all medium size tomatoes.  Hmm, maybe I should dig out my old mortgage lifter and other large variety seeds, just for fun.  I had way too many plants in the garden last year and they were too crowded, none did well.  I am trying to show some restraint this year.  Maybe if a large-fruited variety shows up in the various plant sales around here I might spring for 1.

[Le Poisson]

I'm in, cherry tomato category.  My other plants are all medium size tomatoes.  Hmm, maybe I should dig out my old mortgage lifter and other large variety seeds, just for fun.  I had way too many plants in the garden last year and they were too crowded, none did well.  I am trying to show some restraint this year.  Maybe if a large-fruited variety shows up in the various plant sales around here I might spring for 1.

Umm... if you don't want to move those mortgage lifter seeds, I'd be willin gto help out with that...

[Le Poisson]

We have 3 types. But I will have to go look to see what kind- one  is cherry tomoto, one is a grape and one is heirloom. All three have had blight and come through the other end to varying degrees. We are getting so many crops right now it is great!

When you say "come through the other end" I am curious exactly what you are talking about... and whether you have a safe following distance posted on your pants.

You are added.

omg
i just got yr joke now, im such a dunce LOL

Its not how fast the train leaves the station that matters, its that it keeps to its own schedule.

[Le Poisson]

FYI - I cleaned up the front page of this thread a bit.

- cleared up entry rules (basically, take a picture)
- Added the Biggie Small Award for Cherry Tomatoes
- Updated entry list.

Check and let me know if your info is wrong.

[Lookilu]

I'm in! I chose 3 varieties this year that are supposed to produce large tomatoes:

• Omar's Lebanese
• Big Rainbow
• Berkely Pink Tie Dye

I've never grown any of these varieties, so we'll see how they do.

[FerrumB5]

Both ripe and green are eligible for the "award"? I sometimes like to pick them green and let them ripen in a box in basement, just like my great-grandma, grandma, mother did

[Le Poisson]

Both ripe and green are eligible for the "award"? I sometimes like to pick them green and let them ripen in a box in basement, just like my great-grandma, grandma, mother did

Sure - why not. But if you enter a green tomato, the picture has to include a recipe for green tomatoes. Like a chutney or fried or something.  Let's not make it too easy.

Also I will forget this rule in the next 15 minutes, so don't put a lot of weight behind it. Come August I'll be wondering about why all the green tomato relishes are showing up in the thread.

EDIT TO ADD - A couple years ago we decided to pickle all the green tomatoes to prevent waste. Then we never ate the pickles. Now we have slimy balls of tomato in mason jars in the basement. They really aren't great after a few years.

[Rural]

 Hey, if you're running the biggie small award, better count me in too! Think I'll be doing Black cherry again.

[FerrumB5]

Both ripe and green are eligible for the "award"? I sometimes like to pick them green and let them ripen in a box in basement, just like my great-grandma, grandma, mother did

Sure - why not. But if you enter a green tomato, the picture has to include a recipe for green tomatoes. Like a chutney or fried or something.  Let's not make it too easy.

Also I will forget this rule in the next 15 minutes, so don't put a lot of weight behind it. Come August I'll be wondering about why all the green tomato relishes are showing up in the thread.

EDIT TO ADD - A couple years ago we decided to pickle all the green tomatoes to prevent waste. Then we never ate the pickles. Now we have slimy balls of tomato in mason jars in the basement. They really aren't great after a few years.

You probably let too much oxygen in the jar. When we did it back in Russia 15 years back, all jars were air tight and properly treated before pickling. They lasted long long time

[SAfAmBrit]

OK I am going to join - cant resist. Cherry Tomato category please! I also have Romas. Tempted just to go get a big tomato plant just to try be competitive.  My first tomatoes should be ripe in a few weeks - welcome to Vegas. Odd to think mine will be done and all yours will be growing! Tomatoes do not like sustained 105 degrees!

[Le Poisson]

More new additions!!

Lookilu - somehow I missed u. You're in now. Big rainbow... the proudest of Tomatoes.
Rural - Funk out homie.
SAfAmBrit - I can think of nothing clever. I'm tapped out. Tomatoes from Vegas stay in Vegas?  <--- Lame.

[geekinprogress]

Maybe it's a difference in growing season, but I have to force myself to stick to one Black Cherry plant and avoid the temptation to grow any other cherries.  It basically supplies us endless tomatoes for fresh eating for two people, two dogs and five chickens, I bring bags full of them to the office, and towards end of summer, I'm letting them rot on the vine.  If I had five you'd find me in a straightjacket by the end of summer.

Hahahaha, I would totally help you with that problem if I could :D  I do have a guaranteed out in case it's overkill; my garden plot is on the grounds of the company I work at and there's a couple coworkers who organize collecting unwanted produce from the gardeners to take to a local food pantry.  So, at worst, I make a donation! 

Sounds like the Black Cherry variety is a winner, then, based on the number of times it's come up in this thread?  That's one of the ones I'm growing, along with Chadwick Cherry, Snow White, Green Grape, and Yellow Pear.  (Considering trying out a Rutgers too, but the cherry tomatoes are really what I am most excited about and invested in.) 

[geekinprogress]

Check and let me know if your info is wrong.

"An orgy of cherry tomatoes" - shit, it's like you KNOW me.

[RetiredAt63]

Seriously?  They are a couple of years old.  PM me an address to mail some to if you want them, but it's almost too late to start them.  Of course you are somewhere near Toronto so have a warmer longer growing season than I do, I think mine don't get enough heat and a long enough season most years. I have some other large heirlooms, if you want a bit of variety.

I'm in, cherry tomato category.  My other plants are all medium size tomatoes.  Hmm, maybe I should dig out my old mortgage lifter and other large variety seeds, just for fun.  I had way too many plants in the garden last year and they were too crowded, none did well.  I am trying to show some restraint this year.  Maybe if a large-fruited variety shows up in the various plant sales around here I might spring for 1.

Umm... if you don't want to move those mortgage lifter seeds, I'd be willin gto help out with that...

[Le Poisson]

Seriously?  They are a couple of years old.  PM me an address to mail some to if you want them, but it's almost too late to start them.  Of course you are somewhere near Toronto so have a warmer longer growing season than I do, I think mine don't get enough heat and a long enough season most years. I have some other large heirlooms, if you want a bit of variety.

I'm in, cherry tomato category.  My other plants are all medium size tomatoes.  Hmm, maybe I should dig out my old mortgage lifter and other large variety seeds, just for fun.  I had way too many plants in the garden last year and they were too crowded, none did well.  I am trying to show some restraint this year.  Maybe if a large-fruited variety shows up in the various plant sales around here I might spring for 1.

I'll give anything a go once... PM en route.
Umm... if you don't want to move those mortgage lifter seeds, I'd be willin gto help out with that...

[Eowyn_MI]

I'm in! I chose 3 varieties this year that are supposed to produce large tomatoes:

• Omar's Lebanese
• Big Rainbow
• Berkely Pink Tie Dye

I've never grown any of these varieties, so we'll see how they do.

I would love to see a pic of those Berkely Pink Tie Dye tomatoes once you get some fruit.

[Le Poisson]

Glorious weekend just passed. I took my seedlings out in the sun a few times... Think I might have scortched them a little. Oops.

They still look alive, but a little piqued and pale. Hopefully a full recovery won't be long in the making. I've also now built all three earthboxes, so I am ready for transplant sometime in about 2 weeks. I was going to transplant earlier, but then thought better of it. Don't want to rush things and end up with weak root systems.

It is amazing how quickly the weather reversed on Friday. Goblin Chief mentioned hardening off in his thread, and I said it was way too early to have stuff outdoors here - we had frost Friday morning. By Friday afternoon I was outside with shorts on.

[Primm]

Posting to follow. I don't have a garden, I have a rocky outcrop with bindis and sketchy grass which will become an amazing garden when we finish the house. The back yard is going to be destroyed (dodgy falling-down carport removed, water tank put in and plumbing sorted) so there's no point planting anything when the ditch digger is likely to destroy it anyway. But I love tomatoes, so I'm cyber-stalking this thread.

[Le Poisson]

Posting to follow. I don't have a garden, I have a rocky outcrop with bindis and sketchy grass which will become an amazing garden when we finish the house. The back yard is going to be destroyed (dodgy falling-down carport removed, water tank put in and plumbing sorted) so there's no point planting anything when the ditch digger is likely to destroy it anyway. But I love tomatoes, so I'm cyber-stalking this thread.

Yay!! Another cheerleader! Have a skirt and pom-poms - are you better at groundwork or aerials?

[Primm]

Definitely groundwork. I'm the least coordinated person I know...

[RetiredAt63]

Mortgage Lifter seeds are off to Prospector today.  Since I had to dig them out of storage anyway, I have started a few - I am in for the large tomato contest as well as the Cherry tomatoes.  The package says 2 1/4 - 4 pounds, but with our growing conditions I will be amazed if any tomatoes reach the 2 pound size.

Transplanting tips - I think someone mentioned already that tomatoes form adventitious roots along their buried stems.  You can take advantage of this by moving your plants into deeper and deeper containers (take the lower leaves off first, obviously) so that when the weather and soil (important! warm soil!) are warm enough for plants to go outside, they already have a really good root system.  Also, deeper soil may still be cool, so plant in a shallow trench, not straight down.  This is for northern gardeners, if you are in the south the surface soil may be too hot and you want the cooler deeper soil - I am just guessing since too hot soil at planting time has never been an issue for me  ;-)

[Le Poisson]

Mortgage Lifter seeds are off to Prospector today.  Since I had to dig them out of storage anyway, I have started a few - I am in for the large tomato contest as well as the Cherry tomatoes.  The package says 2 1/4 - 4 pounds, but with our growing conditions I will be amazed if any tomatoes reach the 2 pound size.

Transplanting tips - I think someone mentioned already that tomatoes form adventitious roots along their buried stems.  You can take advantage of this by moving your plants into deeper and deeper containers (take the lower leaves off first, obviously) so that when the weather and soil (important! warm soil!) are warm enough for plants to go outside, they already have a really good root system.  Also, deeper soil may still be cool, so plant in a shallow trench, not straight down.  This is for northern gardeners, if you are in the south the surface soil may be too hot and you want the cooler deeper soil - I am just guessing since too hot soil at planting time has never been an issue for me  ;-)

Shhhhh. You know they're listening... How are we supposed towin if you give away all the secrets?!?!

[RetiredAt63]

With this group?  I'm sure they have all sorts of secrets they are not sharing, I am just trying to get us up to speed.  I'm not sure where everyone is, but I think I am one of the furthest north (short growing season). This is why I rarely try for big tomatoes, small to medium do better here.
And I didn't tell about the paper towel method. (evil grin)

Shhhhh. You know they're listening... How are we supposed to win if you give away all the secrets?!?!

[backyardfeast]

Retired@63...I was coming here to comment that I am also considering transplanting my toms today (or this week, if the weather stays warm).  Just as we were drifting off to sleep last night, I woke us both up with a "HOLY SH*&$T! I forgot to put my seedlings back in the greenhouse!"  But the forecast overnight was safe, so I left them; today's forecast is for low 20s.

But your post reminded me that my soil temps down a few inches might be a whole lot cooler.  Maybe I'll wait a day or two and let that warm up a bit...and get the covers and drip line ready.  The downside of all this lovely warmth is going to be needing to irrigate much sooner than usual too, which is a little worrying.

[RetiredAt63]

Backyardfeast - our falls seem to be lasting longer, frosts later, not a huge help since the days are getting noticeably shorter and the sun weaker in October.  I am not seeing a huge difference in spring.  On Montreal Island back in the 50's my parents put tomatoes out Victoria Day weekend, but that was a heat island.  I put my tomatoes out at the end of May and peppers (and now sweet potatoes) a week later than that.  If I am going to have good tomatoes for this contest I am going to have to plant earlier, which means digging out plastic and remay and warming my soil up, and then making a mini-greenhouse over the early tomatoes.  Plus we are back to early spring, our highs will be 10±3 for the next 2 weeks.  Sigh.

[backyardfeast]

Interesting about the way you're seeing climate shifts in your area, Retired.  We're having a strong El Nino year (affected, of course, by warmer oceans), so it's tough to know what is an anomaly, but we are having warmer, wetter winters, with less constant drizzle and more severe, short rainfalls.  Earlier, warmer springs, and longer, drier summers with less snowpack to help at the end of the summer/early fall to keep the rivers flowing for the salmon.  It's awesome in the spring--I meant to add to my earlier post that putting out tomatoes under cover now would be a full month early, and late May is pushing it some years--but less awesome in September...

I've decided I'm potting up my tomatoes this week.  I use soil blocks and LOVE--LOOOVVE!!!--them.  Most years I don't bother potting up, but this year the toms are growing faster, and although this week's temps are good, apparently we have a weekend coming with rain and overnight lows of 4C.  They would hate that. :)  I'm also not dealing with 50 seedlings this year to pot up, so I'm not so daunted.  Another month in the greenhouse is probably best...

[Le Poisson]

Sunny and warm out. Tomatoes are catching a tan on the deck. Maybe soon I'll plunk 'em in the earthboxes.

Some interesting talk yesterday at the Toronto meetup about optimizing plant production for big-butt tomatoes. I may be in trouble. There's some smart horticulturists on here.

[RetiredAt63]

Tomatoes looking good.

Ok, so they know the tricks for optimizing big tomatoes.  We don't (or at least I don't, historically I have cared more about total yield and ripening before frost).  So tell (please?).

Sunny and warm out. Tomatoes are catching a tan on the deck. Maybe soon I'll plunk 'em in the earthboxes.

Some interesting talk yesterday at the Toronto meetup about optimizing plant production for big-butt tomatoes. I may be in trouble. There's some smart horticulturists on here.

[Le Poisson]

As I understood the talk, based on growing monster pumpkins, the theory was that you strip the most vigorous plant of all but the one chosen 'mater early on, then discourage any other fruit growth, forcing the plant to put all of its energy into that one tomato.

I'm not sure what you do about the chosen tomato splitting or getting buggy, but that was the theory floating around.

[RetiredAt63]

Right.  I have never done that (as I said, total yield) but I too would worry about all the ills that flesh (tomato flesh here) is heir to.  Anyone here ever actually done that?

Any suggestions about soil?  Too much nitrogen and you get all leaves, not fruits, but general soil supplementation?  Calcium? Magnesium? Manganese?

And of course it goes against every principle of seed-saving.

As I understood the talk, based on growing monster pumpkins, the theory was that you strip the most vigorous plant of all but the one chosen 'mater early on, then discourage any other fruit growth, forcing the plant to put all of its energy into that one tomato.

I'm not sure what you do about the chosen tomato splitting or getting buggy, but that was the theory floating around.

[Le Poisson]

Right.  I have never done that (as I said, total yield) but I too would worry about all the ills that flesh (tomato flesh here) is heir to.  Anyone here ever actually done that?

Any suggestions about soil?  Too much nitrogen and you get all leaves, not fruits, but general soil supplementation?  Calcium? Magnesium? Manganese?

And of course it goes against every principle of seed-saving.

As I understood the talk, based on growing monster pumpkins, the theory was that you strip the most vigorous plant of all but the one chosen 'mater early on, then discourage any other fruit growth, forcing the plant to put all of its energy into that one tomato.

I'm not sure what you do about the chosen tomato splitting or getting buggy, but that was the theory floating around.

As I understand, at least one contender is planning on using urine as a soil supplement. Maybe all you need is beer.

[RetiredAt63]

But in the long run that is nitrogen!

Right.  I have never done that (as I said, total yield) but I too would worry about all the ills that flesh (tomato flesh here) is heir to.  Anyone here ever actually done that?

Any suggestions about soil?  Too much nitrogen and you get all leaves, not fruits, but general soil supplementation?  Calcium? Magnesium? Manganese?

And of course it goes against every principle of seed-saving.

As I understood the talk, based on growing monster pumpkins, the theory was that you strip the most vigorous plant of all but the one chosen 'mater early on, then discourage any other fruit growth, forcing the plant to put all of its energy into that one tomato.

I'm not sure what you do about the chosen tomato splitting or getting buggy, but that was the theory floating around.

As I understand, at least one contender is planning on using urine as a soil supplement. Maybe all you need is beer.

[dycker1978]

I am in, but will be another month or 6 weeks before I can report varieties... cannot plant here yet.

[Le Poisson]

I am in, but will be another month or 6 weeks before I can report varieties... cannot plant here yet.

No trouble Dycker - you may be our coldest-weather contestant. Not sure.

[Rural]

Right.  I have never done that (as I said, total yield) but I too would worry about all the ills that flesh (tomato flesh here) is heir to.  Anyone here ever actually done that?

Any suggestions about soil?  Too much nitrogen and you get all leaves, not fruits, but general soil supplementation?  Calcium? Magnesium? Manganese?

And of course it goes against every principle of seed-saving.

As I understood the talk, based on growing monster pumpkins, the theory was that you strip the most vigorous plant of all but the one chosen 'mater early on, then discourage any other fruit growth, forcing the plant to put all of its energy into that one tomato.

I'm not sure what you do about the chosen tomato splitting or getting buggy, but that was the theory floating around.

As I understand, at least one contender is planning on using urine as a soil supplement. Maybe all you need is beer.

Wait...doesn't everyone do that? Like all the time? How are you people growing food otherwise? :)

[Tom Bri]

Transplanting tips - I think someone mentioned already that tomatoes form adventitious roots along their buried stems.  You can take advantage of this by moving your plants into deeper and deeper containers (take the lower leaves off first, obviously) so that when the weather and soil (important! warm soil!) are warm enough for plants to go outside, they already have a really good root system.  Also, deeper soil may still be cool, so plant in a shallow trench, not straight down.  This is for northern gardeners, if you are in the south the surface soil may be too hot and you want the cooler deeper soil - I am just guessing since too hot soil at planting time has never been an issue for me  ;-)

When you plant then, just lay them on their sides with the root ball a few inches deep, then cover the stem almost all the way up, leaving only the top few inches showing. This prevents a lot of dead plants because they don't get dried out before putting roots down, and they root all along the buried stem too.

I am sort of surprised you all mustachians even bother to buy plants or seeds. I pretty much don't. During the growing season, there are always lots of damaged, bug or rodent eaten fruits. I just squash those into the soil, and the next year hundreds of tomatoes grow up. It is just a matter of eliminating all those you don't want. Been doing this for several years, and now the genetics are all crossed up, so I get all kinds of weird-looking tomatoes, all sizes, many with noses. I'll post pics of tomato noses if they come up again this year. Plus, some are huge, so I'm in the contest.

[Le Poisson]

Transplanting tips - I think someone mentioned already that tomatoes form adventitious roots along their buried stems.  You can take advantage of this by moving your plants into deeper and deeper containers (take the lower leaves off first, obviously) so that when the weather and soil (important! warm soil!) are warm enough for plants to go outside, they already have a really good root system.  Also, deeper soil may still be cool, so plant in a shallow trench, not straight down.  This is for northern gardeners, if you are in the south the surface soil may be too hot and you want the cooler deeper soil - I am just guessing since too hot soil at planting time has never been an issue for me  ;-)

When you plant then, just lay them on their sides with the root ball a few inches deep, then cover the stem almost all the way up, leaving only the top few inches showing. This prevents a lot of dead plants because they don't get dried out before putting roots down, and they root all along the buried stem too.

I am sort of surprised you all mustachians even bother to buy plants or seeds. I pretty much don't. During the growing season, there are always lots of damaged, bug or rodent eaten fruits. I just squash those into the soil, and the next year hundreds of tomatoes grow up. It is just a matter of eliminating all those you don't want. Been doing this for several years, and now the genetics are all crossed up, so I get all kinds of weird-looking tomatoes, all sizes, many with noses. I'll post pics of tomato noses if they come up again this year. Plus, some are huge, so I'm in the contest.

TomBrimato, I'm confused. Are you entering the contest, and do you pee on your tomatoes before you lay them down or after?

[Frugal Lizard]

who'd have thought so much fodder with tomatoes?  Had to move my little ghastly expensive plants from seed back into the house.  Not risking overnight in the unheated greenhouse across the road.

[kudy]

I just squash those into the soil, and the next year hundreds of tomatoes grow up.

Do you live in a relatively warm area? I think mine would sprout then get killed in a cold snap, or be tiny. I grow inside from seed so that I can have decently sized plants around May when the last frost danger is about over.

[Tom Bri]

Transplanting tips - I think someone mentioned already that tomatoes form adventitious roots along their buried stems.  You can take advantage of this by moving your plants into deeper and deeper containers (take the lower leaves off first, obviously) so that when the weather and soil (important! warm soil!) are warm enough for plants to go outside, they already have a really good root system.  Also, deeper soil may still be cool, so plant in a shallow trench, not straight down.  This is for northern gardeners, if you are in the south the surface soil may be too hot and you want the cooler deeper soil - I am just guessing since too hot soil at planting time has never been an issue for me  ;-)

When you plant then, just lay them on their sides with the root ball a few inches deep, then cover the stem almost all the way up, leaving only the top few inches showing. This prevents a lot of dead plants because they don't get dried out before putting roots down, and they root all along the buried stem too.

I am sort of surprised you all mustachians even bother to buy plants or seeds. I pretty much don't. During the growing season, there are always lots of damaged, bug or rodent eaten fruits. I just squash those into the soil, and the next year hundreds of tomatoes grow up. It is just a matter of eliminating all those you don't want. Been doing this for several years, and now the genetics are all crossed up, so I get all kinds of weird-looking tomatoes, all sizes, many with noses. I'll post pics of tomato noses if they come up again this year. Plus, some are huge, so I'm in the contest.

TomBrimato, I'm confused. Are you entering the contest, and do you pee on your tomatoes before you lay them down or after?

Yes, entering.
Pee after.
(How did he KNOW!)