HelpfulGardener.com

Hello folks,
this year I have successfully grown some cherry tomatoes for the first time and would like to try something more exotic next year.

I was reading Roger Philips Vegeatable book and noticed that Cape Gooseberry needed the same conditions as tomato. I live near Sheffield, has anyone had expierience of growing these this far north and do you have any advice to give.

Nim

Hi Nim,

I get your hardiness zone as 8 so your location shouldn't be a problem.

Here's some info on 5 different cultivars from the RHS.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/databases/agmsearch.asp?eti=ribes%20and%20reclinatum

Newt

Watch out they sprawl!! I think I'll grow them again but out of the way!!
They take a while to ripen but I think you'll be ok, worth a go!!

Hi Biscombe, the reason why your cherry tomatoes sprawled is because they were either Indeterminate or Semideterminate. Next year, try a Determinate Variety.

And with all tomatoes, use a Cedar Stake as apposed to a tomatoe Cage with used Nylons to tie the vines to the Stake.

Opabinia, why do you recommend the cedar stakes instead of a cage?

Newt

Aha! Here we go;

Even Determinate plants will outgrow the cage, Semi-determinate and Indeterminate varieties will definately out grow the cage and will not support the plants correctly.

In fact, the only instance where a cage would work would be if you had your tomatoe plant in a small pot such that it's growth was restricted. In fact, this would not be a good thing to do, because the plant would be less healthy with a restricted root ball.

The Cedar stakes work great because they are resistant to degredation, you can buy them as high as you need (my friend uses at least a 6 foot tall stake, I've bought the short ones in the past and yep, 6 feet (at least) is the way to go) and using nylons prevents any cutting of the vines as string or tape will do and they don't stretch like gardening tape will do. And using nylons is a way of keeping waste out of local landfills. And used nylons are biodegradable and gardening tape is not.

Ok, I guess I knew that about the stakes but didn't know I knew it. I've found the cages to be too short! I didn't know that panty hose is biodegradable and the tape isn't. Interesting. I sure have plenty of those around. I love to learn something new.

Newt

Yes, the president of my old garden club told me that great little trick. Of course, I don't have any hose around, and have to begrudgingly ask my mother, aunts, grandmother and when I get the nerve up; my landlady. But, it's all for a good cause.

When they eat my home made tomatoe sauce, they are very happy that there garments went to a good cause!


Mmmmmm, tomatoes, garlic, onion, truffle oil, etc.

Sometimes you can find pantyhose in the dollar stores. Just pretend they're a gift for someone.

Newt

Reminds me of the story of the owner of our local organic nursery when she was on a CBC radio program and told the broadcaster this idea, I believe his face went quite red.

Hey, if it works; don't knock it! I used them, and don't have any complaints.