30-05-2004, 09:02 AM
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How are tomatoe volunteers?
writes:
I haven't planted this year's tomatoes yet and some volunteers are
appearing. Have you had good luck with tomato volunteers? Should I
let them grow or should I just plant known hybrids?
Should I round up the plot and transplant tomatoes in a few weeks or
should I transplant them now and just get used to having a lot of
weeds?
I've always had excellent luck with the volunteers. They are definitely
hardy. However, I grow almost exclusively heirloom tomatoes, so they are
all super.
I used to very carefully plant everything, concerned I might destroy the
plants. Two years ago, I had so many volunteers that I gave away
literally dozens and dozens of "mystery tomatoes" to folks I knew. When I
could not longer find homes for them, I finally had to pull them up (I had
at least 4 dozen plants growing already). I just didn't have the heart to
throw them on the compost pile so put them in a bucket, added water and
later planted them in the 135-ft long strip between my fence and sidewalk,
outside the yard. I then gave a plant to each of the neighbor children
(some two). The children chose their own plant(s) and cared for them. I
did add water since the little ones would bring only a cup or two which,
of course, was not enough. I also prepared tags for each tomato and
identified who the owner was or if they were "public" tomatoes for anyone
to pick. Even though the plants were not handled with care, remember they
were pulled like a weed and dumped in a bucket, every one grew and
flourished. The children had all types of tomatoes and were amazed at
what they had . . . remember these were heirlooms so there was a good
variety. It was a cool thing! I suspect that, all in all, there were
hundreds that I gave away or planted out there. Many who received them
saved seeds and grew more of what they got, and all were thrilled.
Everyone got something they had not seen before! I took volunteers from
several parts of the garden so everyone got at least three varieties.
They are great! If you like surprises, it's the only way to go. I've
never eaten a bad tomato. :-)
Transplant now or later . . . just plant them deeper when you replant so
they can establish a good solid root system for a healthier plant. They
will start out smaller, of course, than the ones you buy, but by the end
of July, you won't be able to tell which is which.
It was sad last spring when I had no volunteers, no mystery tomatoes. I
had let the chickens run free and they not only cleaned out all the slugs
but all the seeds in the garden as well, so no volunteers. I should have
left the cages up until the chickens were penned for the garden season.
Oh, well. The good thing is that garden was well cultivated. g
Enjoy your volunteers . . . surprises are great!
Glenna
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