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Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I'm going to grow using raised beds. How much area does each plant need? I did read the last post and don't know if the plants are determinate or indeterminate. I will be planting Duane's seed, a few Timm seeds and a couple of Big Zacs. Thanks.

3/21/2010 7:50:51 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

All of the above are indeterminate varieties.

My raised beds are @36 inches wide. This allows for easy removal of weeds from both sides of the bed. I plant my regular eating tomatoes in a staggered pattern down the beds at approximately 1.5 to 2 feet apart. Last season I planted my competition tomatoes four feet apart and will probably be going six feet apart this season. Spacing them farther apart reduces risk of disease spread and gives them more root space. At seasons end in 2008 I pulled up my tomato plants to find one tap root that went over twelve feet from the base of the plant before I accidently broke it off.

3/21/2010 8:04:52 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Beefsteak type and a couple of the other varieties I grow that I know get huge, 5' radius. Others are on 3' radius. Big plants go on 20' squares (4 plants) with 3' all the way around to get around them. Smaller go in 12' squares with same 'access'. I put a couple of pavers down to get to the middle so I can stand/squat/reach each one from the center. 5' usually are staked, 3' are caged. One variety gets steel fence post AND cage to keep it up (Black Pearl) and needs 5'. I also put 16-20 NemaGone Marigolds and 1-2 Calendua (Pot Marigold) per square, I have seen a difference in plant health with! I am going to try raising the beds this year...

3/21/2010 3:39:29 PM