#Grow your own beetle just add water install#

Early blight and leaf-spotting diseases are among the more common fungal problems experienced in our area. Our hot, humid summers present challenges when it comes to controlling fungal diseases. Potassium enhances fruit color and flavor while improving plant vigor and disease resistance. After fruit set, when the fruit is about the size of a cherry, switch to a high-potassium fertilizer. Slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote 14-14-14 can be an option as well. Fertilizers such as 5-5-5, 8-8-8, and 10-10-10 are balanced fertilizers with the proper ratio. Prior to flowering, use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer with a 1-1-1- ratio. After that you will need to feed your tomatoes. This starter fertilizer is usually gone after watering two or three times. Most potting mixes contain a “starter charge” of fertilizer. If the tip of your finger is still dry, it is time to water. Insert your finger to the second joint (about 2 inches down). To determine if your plants need water, check the potting mix with the tip of your index finger. Inconsistent watering can worsen the effects of problems such as Blossom End Rot. Consistent, regular watering avoids stressing plants. Consistency of watering is just as important as the amount of water. Sometimes you need to water them twice a day. As summer heat intensifies plants will require more frequent watering. Tomatoes can be quite deep-rooted, so water the containers thoroughly. Tomatoes need about one inch of water per week (68-75 ounces water per day after fruit set). Waiting until plants need support makes installation difficult and you may damage the plants during installation.

#Grow your own beetle just add water install#

Be sure to install the supports when plants are small. Small, conical shaped cages are sufficient for many compact varieties. It takes four to six weeks for a tomato seed to grow into the size of tomato transplants that you see in garden centers.

This translates to mid-April in the coastal plains, late April or early May in the Piedmont, and mid-May in the mountains. Time to plant: Plant about two to three weeks after the last spring frost.Suggested varieties: Bush Early Girl, Patio Princess, Window Box Roma, Tumbler, Super Bush Hybrid, Bushsteak, Sweet Chelsea, Husky Cherry.It is okay to grow a cherry tomato cultivar, but plants need to be pruned. This constant growth is difficult to manage in a container. Indeterminate or vining types will continue to grow and produce fruit all season long. Determinant types will grow to a certain size and stop growing. Use compact, container varieties or determinant types.