Chicagoist: Gardenist: More Than Just Tomatoes

Kevin Robinson

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:39:30 -0600

I think Chuck is using this as a front for his whole dope-growing operation. Gardenist indeed, Mr. Sudo. Gardenist indeed!

Chuck Sudo

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:21:25 -0600

They're not going on the vegetables, trust me.

guest

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 09:15:53 -0600

#12, In addition, dog and cat poop attracts rats.

guest

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:34:21 -0600

You're not putting the cat-poop compost back on the veggies, I hope? Even composted cat poop harbors parasites, and who knows what those feral cats are carrying?

Ferdy

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:15:18 -0600

I haven't found it necessary. Did you get any flowers?

Chuck Sudo

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:09:24 -0600

Ferdy: Should I trim back some of the leaves on the pepper plants?

guest

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:49:07 -0600

#8 Five gallon bucket. Drill 4 or five hole in the under side. Put about 2 inches of rocks/gravel at the bottom and fill with top soil. Put about a 5 foot stick in the center, or right behind the tomato plant. Add twist ties every foot or so when the plant grows. If you are on a balcony, put a catch plate under the bucket, so when you water, you don't piss off your neighbor.

guest

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:37:12 -0600

Very very cool and motivating, too. Now I just need some land!

Ferdy

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:24:37 -0600

It wouldn't be too late if you bought tomato plants that are already doing well, but it is a little late in the day. My pepper plants put on fruit almost immediately, so Chuck, if yours aren't, there may be a problem. I grow bells (the red ones are finally read and the purple ones are turning now) and hot peppers, which are very long right now. I grow them on a balcony with partial sun and everything is working nicely. Use Miracle Gro about once a week and sweeten the water once in a while with water I pull from my fish tank when I do partial changes. Organic material always helps. Water liberally once the tomatoes come on because they need a lot to keep growing.

guest

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:23:13 -0600

#3 If you start now, make sure they get no less than 6 hours of direct sunlight. That is considered full sun anyway. My tomatoes have taken a hit because of the spotty rain we've had and the extreme dry heat for that one week. On top of that, the tree in our yard has grown substantially since last year and has blocked out even more sun. My neighbor has thumb-thick vines on his tomato plants and they get full sun and twice daily watering. It is also better to give one super saturating watering a week than daily sprinkles. Gives your roots a chance to go deep.

Chuck Sudo

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:21:31 -0600

Also, looking at the dates on the photos, I didn't plant this garden until Memorial Day, so I'll wait a couple weeks before passing final judgment on the peppers.

Chuck Sudo

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:15:48 -0600

I'm finding the pruning process to be a learning experience, as until recently it's been a guessing game which branches are gonna produce flowers. The ones I do prune are going to the compost heap, as well. BTW, my plants are staked, the landlord's are caged. matty: It might not be too late for you to start with some tomatoes. The plants I bought said that I'd see fruit in about 60 days, and it's right on target. The peppers are another story. I'm supposed to see some sprouts in about 75 days, and I'm right at the time limit there. They're getting plenty of sun, but I wonder if the relatively mild summer we've had so far has affected the growing process at all.

matty

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:01:13 -0600

how long do tomato plants take to grow? is it too late to start?

guest

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:44:35 -0600

When growing tomato plants, be sure to snip off the leaves, and branches with leaves that you know are not going to produce flowers. That way, water will be concentrated to the flowers and ultimately the tomatoes. Also, more exposure to the sun tinkers with the sugar levels and markes for tasty fruit. But don't cut off all the leaves. The plant needs some leaves to capture sun. It is more of a pruning process. Some people prefer to cage. I prefer staking, which is why I prune so much.

Rob Christopher

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:31:29 -0600

No, you didn't ask for it. But when those tomatoes are ready to harvest, try my Mom's recipe: THREE-DAY SAUCE Coarsely chop 1 medium onion and sautee along with 2 cloves of garlic with some olive oil in a skillet until semi-translucent. Put everything in the bottom of a large crockpot. Add 3 small cans of tomato paste. Peel a dozen tomatoes (use more or less depending on how much sauce you want) and then chop into quarters. Add to crockpot. Add 2 small cans of tomato sauce, a tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon each oregano, basil, parsley. Add a tablespoon of dried red pepper (or you can use a tablespoon of diced jalepeno) and plenty of coarse salt and pepper. Choose a good burgundy or chianti and add enough to cover tomatoes. Put crockpot on lowest setting and allow to simmer for two or three days, stirring briefly every few hours. As tomatoes cook down the sauce may thin out; add more wine or tomato paste as necessary to thicken but do not add water. If you want to include sausage or meatballs, add to sauce a few hours before serving. This sauce freezes indefinitely really well and will taste even better as leftovers!