I just planted today so I think I can still move them. The open space has direct sown cucumbers and okra. Plants at the far end are banana peppers.
by LewsSolo
I just planted today so I think I can still move them. The open space has direct sown cucumbers and okra. Plants at the far end are banana peppers.
by LewsSolo
19 Comments
Depends on how much pruning you’ll do
Yes, that’s going to be a jungle and they’ll compete for resources. 5 tomato plants will probably take up that whole bed – you can plant smaller stuff around/underneath them
My tomatoes need 3′ in diameter. But if you do this you can put them a lot closer. I don’t have the patience.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N586k4Jv1Xg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N586k4Jv1Xg)
You’re gonna lose access to that middle one in the “grid.”
Assuming the sides get equal sun: Plant your tomatoes closer and down the middle of the bed. It’ll create a tomato jungle and to prevent disease, prune to keep air flow going strong and water from below.
Cukes on one side, peppers on the other. The peppers will never grow as tall as the tomatoes so you will have access from that side. The cuke plants usually die off mid to late summer (pests, heat and disease do them in) but still before the tomatoes are ready so then you’ll have access on the other side and to plant a fall crop like peas or greens.
This would be a great time to learn about square foot gardening! Tons of resources on YouTube and other platforms
I’d reduce the tomatoes to 4 if not 2.
Yes. Tomatoes should have about 3 feet between them
No cages and no strings, just those single stakes? you’re gonna want way more support. I also think you could get away with them this close, but if you’re new to tomatoes maybe best to thin it out.
It’s probably fine. How wide is your bed?
If they are determinate then yes they are. If they are indeterminate, you will have some serious pruning to do and you’ll need a trellis.
https://preview.redd.it/50sc8sb9unvg1.jpeg?width=560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a036004ec72a909d23d34e1f9ea220f68f0da561
I invoke the pirate code in regards to proper plant spacing.
https://preview.redd.it/u56jgt0cvnvg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b00e8bcaa6a322d32b47d19046457509ba79642
This is what two tomato plants look like mid season that were originally planted two feet (ish?) apart and I gave up on pruning them. So ether give them more space or aggressively prune. And be prepared for the tomato-pocalypse
Use t posts or furring strips to grow them verticaly
Yes
I did something similar last year. It was a jungle but I got a TON of tomatoes. My biggest problem was one plant was leaning over onto another plant and breaking the branches. Didn’t matter. I managed anyway.
Yes way too close
I grew a chaos tomato bed last year because I had hundreds and hundreds of seedlings and I just gave up. Got 20 lbs of tomatoes out of that bed. You’ll be fine.
I’d keep them at least 12 inches apart. 18 inches is even better. They will grow to be huge and you’ll get less of a harvest from those whose roots are constrained by their neighbors.