Keith Farrand
Contact: info@farrandfarms.com
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Want to keep up on the latest things that are growing on at Farrand Farms? The man with the greenest thumb in Kansas City will help you with all his latest tips and share insight and info right here at Farrand's Notes. If you have some special questions or would like to suggest ideas for Keith to address just send him an email on the link under his picture.
Our friend . . .the Tomato!
Keith
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Monday, May 23, 2011
The Tomato Fair returns Saturday, August 6
Great news! Chef Jasper Mirabile will be creating his tomato magic recipes right before your eyes. Larry Moore will offer great tips on successful tomato gardening, and our friend Toby Tobin will be here to help you with your tomato questions. We'll have activities for everyone in the family - toddlers to grandparents. Great education to make you a better gardener!
All of the tomatoes you'll see and get to taste are grown right here at Farrand Farms. Please feel free to stop by our Tomato Trial fields any time we are open. We have over 50 varieties growing including many special heirloom favorites. This is going to be fun! Mark your calendar and watch our newsletters for updates (sign up to receive our newsletter through our website or at our store).
Tomato Tips:
1. Blight. Toby Tobin recommends Mushroom Stuff to help control some blights. Septoria leaf blight is one.
Here are the rates and time to use Mushroom Stuff:
Mix 2 tbsp. Mushroom Stuff per gallon of water.
Use 1 quart per plant now.
1 month later use 1/2 gallon per plant
1 month later, use 1 gallon per plant.
Continue 1 gallon per plant every 30 days until season's end
Another good way to help control various blights is use Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide. It is organic and friendly to use. Apply it on a weekly basis and be sure to cover the entire leaf surface (top and bottom).
3. Bloom Drop. Early in the season it is not uncommon for tomato blooms to drop off. Not to worry . . . this is very common early in the growing season. It usually occurs because the blossoms are not pollinated and thus abort. Frequent variations in temperatures are often the cause. As soon as our night and day temperatures stabilize, it stops occurring.
4. Blossom End Rot. This appears as a black or brownish scab-like patch on the bottom of the tomato. It also occurs on peppers and squashes (like zucchini) just after pollination and is most often thought to be due to a deficiency of calcium. Calcium builds cell walls. A lack of calcium causes the cell wall to split and a virus enters the cell. Many believe temperature also plays a part.
There is no cure for Blossom End Rot. If you see it, just throw that fruit away. It does not spread and rarely affects the entire crop. Usually it only happens early in the season.
Hint #1
Have some fun in the vegetables this season. Let your children or grandchildren plant some flowers among the vegetables. Zinnias and marigolds are easy to grow from seed and can be tucked in among the veggies. For yourself, plant a sweet Basil or two between the tomatoes. Just smelling it while tending your garden will give you a lift!
Hint #2
For great petunias, fertilize often and heavy - up to 3 times more than other annual flowers. The new petunia varieties are very heavy feeders. When fed heavily, they stay green and continue blooming all summer long. Try it and let us know your results.
Farrand Farms has all the things we've just talked about to help make your gardening a success.
Hey, it's also time for our Wave Petunia Sale. Regular price is $4.99 each - NOW just 99 cents each. NO limit! Buy 1 or 1,000. It's our way of saying Thank You for another great season.
Good Growing!
Keith
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