25-07-2004, 07:02 AM
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Tomatoes & soil ammendments
writes:
What can we add to our soil to sweeten our tomatoes? We worked in
steer manure, chicken manure, and home made compost, at planting time.
Since then we have added blood meal, and more compost. The tomato size
is good and so is the flavor,but they lack the sweetnes that they had
in the past. Would be thankful for suggestions. Sue
I have found that water can make a noticeable change in my tomatoes, both
ways (either watering too close together or too far apart in time). If
there is any one thing in my garden (under any kind of my control) that
affects flavor, it's when I water. Also, it seems that if fruit is picked
in the morning, the flavor is much better.
We've had a heat wave here this week, temps to 100 F which is not at all
common. I'll be watering again tonight which will make it twice in one
week. The flavor of tomatoes picked this morning was significantly less
than usual. I hope to make some salsa tomorrow and want everything to be
a good as possible so I will water well tonight so the plants can be well
hydrated, hopefully improving the flavor over what it would be otherwise
(and pick in the early morning). It's chiefly heirlooms in my garden so
the fruits are more flavorful as a rule, anyway.
FYI, I use surface watering in the form of a soaker hose and leave it on
6-8 hours to ensure that soil is well watered, not only directly around
the tomato plants but farther on as well so the water doesn't migrate away
from the tomatoes. I do check the soil top each morning and when the soil
hasn't gathered the early morning dew, it's time to water. For the most
part that seems to be 6-7 days under normal conditions. Note, we are
blessed with good drainage so there is no chance of ove-watering.
Glenna
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