Question:
This spring, I planted a tomato plant in a tomato cage. Unfortunately, it has collapsed under the weight. Now, most of the unripe tomatoes are on or near the ground. What should I do to prevent them from rotting?Answer:
- You have two options.
- You can prop up the vines so that the tomato clusters do not come into contact with the soil. Additionally, it's essential to protect them from the afternoon sun, as they may sunburn if we experience a late-season heat spell.
- Your other option is to harvest the green tomatoes. Green tomatoes ripen easily off the vine in a simple 'ripening chamber.'
- All you need is a cardboard box with a lid or any other type of container and some newspaper.
- First, line the bottom of the box with a one-inch layer of newspaper. Space out the green tomatoes so they do not touch.
- Cover the tomatoes with another one-inch layer of newspaper, close the lid, and store them in a cool, dry place. If needed, you can add a second layer of tomatoes. Every three to five days, check the tomatoes and remove the ripe ones.
- The 'ripening chamber' traps the naturally occurring Ethylene Gas and uses it to ripen the tomatoes. This technique also helps preserve green tomatoes at the end of the season from cold nights.
- To avoid this next year, I'd thin out the center of the plants throughout the summer months. This will reduce the weight and allow for better air circulation throughout the plants. Remove one or two branches and pinch out the side shoots that develop along the stems. What to thin or prune is a judgment call on your part.
Question:
When should I plant the tulips and daffodils that I have stored from last year? Also, should I chill them before replanting them?Answer:
- Tulips, Daffodils, and other bulbs stored from previous years are replanted at the end of October through December.
- Yes, I would chill the tulips before planting. Also, when chilling them in a refrigerator, be sure to remove all fruit, such as apples and pears. The Ethylene gas from the maturing fruit can damage the bulbs. Don't expect last year's tulips to be as showy.
- They require several more growing seasons before they reach their peak. It is advisable to mix in new tulip bulbs with the older ones at a 50/50 ratio.
- With Daffodils and Narcissus, it is quite common for gardeners to leave them in the ground year after year. They are dug up and divided when the groupings become so crowded that the flower size is reduced. Additionally, overcrowding is a major reason why daffodils and narcissus stop blooming altogether. Normally,
- I would look to divide them every three to four years. As with new planting, you should add Bulb Starter Fertilizer or Bone Meal. Depending on the size of the bulb, add a teaspoon or tablespoon under each bulb. This is so the nutrients are immediately available to the new roots. A second application is applied after flowering.