Above ground garden in not producing enough or producing poor tomatoes
by
JoAnn B
+4
I moved and went to an above ground garden. This is it's second year. My tomatoes produce slow and have a thick skin. My green papers fall off the vine before they mature and all my vegetables are small. Any suggestions?
7 answers
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Have you had your soil tested? What are you using to amend the soil and feed the veggies?
3po3
on Jul 09, 2012
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How much sun are your plants getting? Did you re-use the same soil from last year?
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 10, 2012
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The tomatoes get ample sun and I added to the soil this year. I added mulch, a mix of top soil and maneur. I have also added calcium to the tomatoe plants. I have not tested the soil, I used to have a inground garden that was about 1500 square feet and grew HUGE tomatoes and peppers, so I am understandably befuddled.
JoAnn B
on Jul 10, 2012
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I was interested in solution not questions although I appreciate any input.
JoAnn B
on Jul 10, 2012
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Sometimes answers actually require more questions. I recommend getting your soil tested through your UNM cooperative extension. It's not free in most states, but totally worthwhile. I am guessing your watering regimen is the same as before, but I also wonder if more water is evaporating because the soil is looser and it is above-ground, allowing less water retention.
3po3
on Jul 10, 2012
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I suspect your plants are not getting enough water. Thick skins are a defensive mechanism by the tomato to help prevent water loss. High heat can also contribute to thick skins, and I'm sure you have that in Albuquerque. You might consider draping cheesecloth over your plants to provide some protection from the sun.
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 11, 2012
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You said you moved...so you are working with a completely new set of soil conditions. Raised beds often need more water than in ground beds. Raised beds are also often used because the native soil is poor or not very deep. It took me many years of adding to my raised beds before I could even get a decent herb crop. I added 2 bales of spahgnum and 400 pounds of planters mix each year to my 2 relatively small 2 1/2 foot wide by 25 foot long beds. after about 4 years the soil started to perform. Deep tilling is also a problem with raised beds as most folks do not bring in heavier equipment for this....you cant do much about that now since you are "planted" but this will help next year as well. Considering your location ..I would think water and soil shortcomings are you main problem.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 16, 2012
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