Growing Tomatos

[Don Foley]

Hi Charles,

I’d appreciate your advise on the following.
I am going to be planting Tomatoes outdoors in early June.
The cvrs I have chosen are all supposed to be suitable for planting outdoors in our particular climate here in Ireland and have some degree of Blight resistance.
I’m planning to plant in Potato/Tomato Planter Bags using General Purpose Compost and well rotted Horse Manure.
My question is how best to add the Horse Manure. Do I mix it with the Compost generally, add it as a layer to the bottom of the Bag, in the middle of the Bag or on the surface. I can’t see that the latter would work as their will be minimal worm activity in the mix to pull it down.
Whilst I’m on the subject you might also advise the truth of a claim I heard recently regarding Tomato plant roots. The man making the assertion claims that Tomato plants have two separate root systems. The lower roots draw up water whilst the roots closer to the surface absorb nutrients. Is this correct?

Don.

[charles]

I would mix it all together, I have done this before, with good growth.
I doubt whether tomato plants divide their root responsibilities so carefully and I have noticed plants do well in dry soil with any water nearer the surface.

[Don Foley]

Thanks Charles. What proportion of Horse Manure to General Purpose Compost should I use? I would like to keep feeding to just what I initially add by way of the Horse Manure and then occasional liquid feeds of Comfrey Tea.

Don.

[charles]

It depends on quality, age of manure & quality of the compost, say half each.

[Author]

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