Hi Bob

Yes, in fact I probably will try that variety (if I can find it that
is) as I can't face the prospect of eating the rubbish that is sold in
the supermarkets.

Actually I was thinking of getting a small greenhouse ... tomatos have
become such an important crop for my family that I cannot give up
growing them just yet, I'm missing them already.

I appreciate all the advice re chemical controls but I have never
sprayed any of my food crops with any pesticide, ever. This is the
first real failure I've ever had. I realise that the use of miracle
grow is probably not very 'PC' as far as the 'organic' movement is
concerned and I will be switching to someting else next year, possibly
seaweed or comfrey or some such thing.

No, I'm not a tree hugger or organic freak it's just that I've heard
so many people say that it is possible to grow without chemical input
that I thought I'd give it a go, also I get more than my fair share of
chemicals from the mass produced stuff that we have to eat to survive
anyway.


Cheers
Duncan

On Sun, 4 Sep 2005 23:22:01 +0100, "Bob Hobden"
wrote:


"Duncan Lyall" wrote
Thanks for all the advice ...

So Tomato blight it is then.

I have used the same cultural practices for years without suffering
this, the only thing I've done differently this year is grow Potatos
and they have shown no sign of blight.

Guess it will have to be beans, onions and courgettes next year then.

As I said Duncan, try the French "Ferline" it works, it's a large but normal
shaped Tom with quite solid flesh, not too watery. I've heard rumours the
French have other blight resistant toms too.

From Nick's comments it's obvious I'm a little old fashioned in my knowledge
of this disease so it looks like you could grow in the same place next year.
(I wouldn't recommend it if we were talking spuds with blight as I've never
ever managed to find all the spud whilst digging them up.)

Another method of growing Toms I heard about some years ago which would suit
you as you grow up a fence was to use some clear plastic sheeting (bubble
wrap?) as a roof over the plants to stop them getting rain on them. You put
it over like an old fashioned tent (with guy ropes over uprights and a
crossbar) and it doesn't need to reach the ground just keep the rain off.
You could staple it to your fence and some sloping poles like half a tent.
It also allows the plants to retain any day heat into the night so helps
stop cracking caused by temperature changes, indeed like their own
polytunnel.
When I get our new allotment site I intend to try this method myself.