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Lexington, Ky

So I tried something this year. As this plant grew, I stepped wood boxes up around the plant and filled them with dirt, about three foot high, boxes were 3 foot square. I installed drip tape 18 inches below ground to supply the primary root ball. I should have installed the drip line up into the three feet of dirt above ground....interesting result.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211689

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211690

11/6/2013 4:02:09 PM

France

What is the weight of your tomato this year?

11/6/2013 4:44:18 PM

France

it's a good méthod!But 2.08lbs I not understand    

11/6/2013 5:00:38 PM

Allentown, PA

What an interesting method.

I bury approx the first 12 inches horizontally then bend the plant vertically to where only an inch or so is above the soil at transplanting time.

Tell me 1320 did you prune the plant to encourage giant growing and also did you allow just one tomato to grow on that plant?

11/7/2013 7:45:02 AM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

I buried a 3 ' tall except last few inches in a trench.&got a 2.96.takes bout week&half two weeks to set roots &get back on track.so reburing 3times mite of shocked it.&depends on what soil you put in box regular soil will harden up in containers if it dont have a conditioner mixed in.

11/7/2013 8:08:02 AM

Lexington, Ky

I had a damaged tomato on this plant that weighed 4.23lbs. The 2.08 was from another plant/late pollination. Lots of pruning and yes only one tomato on this plant. These roots grew out horizontally, hit the edge of the box then went down. I was not able to water that deep (poor planning). I might try a series of large tractor tires next year. For what it's worth, this plant was a direct sow in late May. Yardman is right, the dirt on the bottom box was compacted but the roots in that zone were plenty robust. I have sandy loam.

11/7/2013 11:31:59 AM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

4.23 thats a horse of a different color.was sorta stumped myself that much root &2.08#

11/7/2013 1:34:16 PM

Allentown, PA

Extremely interesting!

11/8/2013 7:57:04 AM

Lexington, Ky

I hope some other growers will try this (or a variation) on a plant or two in the future. Next year I will try a bigger structure with proper watering and throw some mycorrizae in each "step". I was able to top my PB by nearly a pound, been using the same seed for three years now (3.25 Wexler) which is first generation offspring that I grew from a Big Zac seed purchased from Totally Tomatoes.

11/8/2013 12:10:05 PM

Allentown, PA

Thank you 1320 for the information.

This is a very interesting and unique growing method and one I might try.

11/9/2013 5:49:02 AM