The Straw Bale Pallet Crate Garden use

Question

Can you plant tomatoes using the Straw Bale Pallet Crate Garden method from Old World Farms?  As a newbie (at 65yrs. old & very1st try) to vegetable gardening, I don't want to do a lot of bending & stooping to plant, keep weeds out & harvest. I already have my seeds growing in small pots. If this is not good for tomatoes, does anyone have suggestions?

Douglas Hunt · Answer

You can certainly grow tomatoes in a straw bale garden, Dyanne, although I suspect it may be getting late for planting them in Alabama. You will have to provide cages or some other means of support as the tomatoes grow.

ScattyLady · Answer

why would it be late to plant tomatoes in Alabama?
also why not buy some plants this year and grow those on, then buy seeds for next year and start them earlier! :-) 
in UK I am just about to plant out my seedlings which are now about 6 inches tall. spring was really slow coming this year.

Dyanne · Answer

No it is not too late to plant tomatoes in Alabama. My brother is a master gardener, lives in Kentucky & told me they would just be late tomatoes. I just wondered about the 'straw bale' method. Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

Dyanne · Answer

Waiting for more ideas.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

The reason I said it may be too late is because tomatoes will not set fruit when daytime temperatures are above 90°F and night temperatures above 70°F. You probably don't have to worry about that in the UK, ScattyLady, but we definitely do in the southern US.

Ellen H · Answer

@Douglas Hunt We've had quite the unusual spring in Alabama this year - my tomatoes have been in the ground for a few weeks but look like they were planted last week. I live in north Alabama and until this week, it just hasn't been hot enough for tomatoes to grow well. And we typically can plant heat-loving varieties later in the season to extend the harvest. Lots of folks here stagger plantings for longer harvest times, essentially having two gardens per season.

Dyanne · Answer

Thank you Doug & Ellen for the info. I live in East Alabama and know nothing about about the region when it comes to planting veggies. Your info. is very valuable to me. So, now i know it also has a lot to do with what the plant does at different temperatures! Now, I know partly why my sister-in-law was telling me to start the seeds early inside.

Sharon · Answer

Dyanne,I finally found the straw bale/pallet crate idea so I'd know what you're talking about...i would use a trellis type support attached to the pallet bottom in back ,or three stake triangle idea,which you could even drive into the ground thru the bale and between pallet boards... oh,and face your thermometer away from the plants,so they don't know it's too hot to bloom,lol

Ellen H · Answer

@Dyanne Your local Extension office (Alabama Cooperative Extension System) can provide you with good information about planting in your region. There are many publications available online at their website www.aces.edu

Dyanne · Answer

Thanks everyone for your info. I am learning. I hope to have a great small vegetable garden next year. I see this will take some planning.

Sharon · Answer

Good luck,Ms Dyanne!And if garden centers have any mature plants to add to your garden ,you can still have stuff this year,too.Lots of markdowns going on now. I got some squash and strawberries last week w/blooms ...and paid half price!You see hometalk is a great resource for ideas...lots of smart folks on here!

Dyanne · Answer

Sharon, you are right. Plenty of smart folks & they are willing to give advice. I will checkout the garden centers & see if I can find an veg. with blooms.

Chas' Crazy Creations · Answer

This post might help https://chascrazycreations.com/garden-101/

The Straw Bale Pallet Crate Garden use

Suggested Project Book

Don't Throw Out That Old Cake Pan Before You See These 11 Ideas

Other

More

The Straw Bale Pallet Crate Garden use

Suggested Project Book