Tomato Comparison - UPDATE

[PianoGuy]

UPDATE - The traditional garden tomato (grape) did so poorly compared to the EB tomato that I pulled it out and
tossed it this morning (July 15th). The EB grape tomato has already provided us with a couple of pounds of the little
buggers - the traditional garden plant has given us 2. That's TWO grape tomatoes!



I planted my Earthboxes (4 - all with different varieties of tomatoes) 3 weeks ago (east of Cincinnati OH. Zone 6-ish)
At the same time, for fun, I had an extra seedling, the same size (and same variety as one of them)
which I planted in the "traditional" garden, which has been getting fewer and fewer rays of sun
since the maple tree I planted 25 years ago has started shading everything.
However, there's still a sunny corner of the little garden.
The first picture is of the "traditional" garden tomato plant, after three weeks.
The second picture,  of course, is one of the EBs, planted at the same time.

I know none of you will be surprised (I feel like I'm preaching to the choir), but this is my
first time with EBs and I'm simply astounded!

[seraphim49]

Well if there was ever a question about whether or not Earthboxes "work" your pictures certainly settle any debate!  I don't know how they work, I only know they do and this is just further proof in my book.  Great shots and your Earthbox tomato plants are GREAT.  Your little garden baby deserves a hand, too! 

Adrienne

[jojo3456]

totally awesome !!   

[ioiosotwig]

Oh those poor tomato's sentenced to live in the ground!  Never again in Cincinnati, I'll bet!

[basjoe48]

Nice PianoGuy!! 

There is no better example of how these EB's really out-perform traditional methods!!

I even got 4 Celebrity Tomato plants in the ground this year and 2 from the same flat in my EB. Of course, the EB plants have already, after only 2 weeks, doubled in size to the same plants in the ground. I even dug a big hole and used the same ingredients as the EB for my plants in the ground...plus everyone gets watered faithfully everyday, but the EB plants continue to amaze me with their incredible growth.

This is my 2nd season with the EB and I got a little brave already by pruning the bottom branches of my tomato plants because last year these branches were gigantic but produced no fruit. So I figured to let all the energy of the plant concentrate on the upper fruit producing ones. I'm not sure if I did right, but I'll sure let you guys know the results.

Later...Joe

[PianoGuy]

Hey, Joe . . . sounds like your setup is going great.
Since I posted the above photos, my EB tomatoes have grown up above the top of the cage, and
I'm having to make extensions for the tops of them, which takes them up to about six feet.

I wondered about pruning off some of the bottom branches.  In fact, on the cherry tomato, a couple
of the lower branches "escaped" the cage and their own weight caused them to break down, so I removed
them - and a couple of days later there were a couple of dozen teen-tiny tomatoes on the upper
stalks.  And they've only been planted for a month now.

The tomato in the traditional garden is holding its own, but still nothing like the EBs.

Since last week, I ordered a couple more EBs and they were delivered Friday, and I planted them with
corn and beans - just for fun.  Didn't think I could actually USE more tomatoes.

Rick . . . the piano guy!

[PianoGuy]

Well, it seems like there's no comparison.  The traditional garden tomato looks good and is about knee high.

The EB tomatoes, after 6 weeks, are 6 feet high and full of blossoms and tomatoes.

I'm amazed!

I showed this photo to a friend, and he wanted to know if I was kneeling.  Nope, I'm standing upright!

[dianasgarden]

Your comparison shots are persuasive and so impressive! Thanks for showing them.

I'm brand new at using EarthBoxes and my tomatoes (and corn) and doing well here in New York also.

Diana

[PianoGuy]

Thanks Diana . . . I'm new at Earthboxes also . . . and I'm really impressed.
I saw your post about corn on another message . . . I'm also growing corn and
am amazed by the size of the plants. Not up to what yours are yet, but on the way.

Rick

[dianasgarden]

Yes, I've been referring to my corn plants as a "cornfield in a box"! We've got 24 cornsilks so far (but who's counting!)

I might just post some pictures of them here on this forum, if I can figure out how to do that.

Good luck!
Diana

[cushman350]

Yes, I've been referring to my corn plants as a "cornfield in a box"! We've got 24 cornsilks so far (but who's counting!) I might just post some pictures of them here on this forum, if I can figure out how to do that.

Good luck!
Diana

Diana,

When you reply, in the lower left corner is "Additional Options", click it and click "Browse". Find the file where your pictures are saved and click a pic and click "Save". To post more, at the end of the line you just selected is "(more attachments)", click there for a new line for more pics.

[dianasgarden]

Thanks, Cushman350. I think I'll try to post a picture of my "cornfield" as a forum thread. (since it's Off Topic to this thread).

Thanks for the information, and hope things are drying out in Wichita Falls, Texas, at this time. (I saw some incredible photos just today, of the flooding there).

Diana