Great Seed Starting Idea

[Crabbergirl]

Originally Posted by Mainegal

I've used the egg shells before. When I planted them in the ground, I cracked the bottom of the shell so the roots would grow out.
Crabber do you crack the end of your shells? I wondered how the roots would break though the shells too Shiney and I'm not a blonde... LOL That is why I cracked them before planting. Anxious to see what Crabber does.

I guess I was having a moment. I do crush the shell a bit so that the roots can break out ok.

[tonya]

does anyone plant the crushed egg shells under tomato seedlings to help prevent blossom end rot???i read that some where and thought i'd try it...

[Crabbergirl]

I compost everything so I have not specifically done thet. I do keep a lot of calcium in my soil which is the one thing that helps prevent end rot
Let use know how it works for you.

I do know crushed egg shells on the ground around your plants helps deter slugs and cut worms. It's the sharp edges

[Kya D]

Egg shells have alot of calcium in them so they could work under tomato plants.

[tonya]

i have only had tomatoes for the last 2 years and although i did have a little blight last year it didn't take all of them out and the year before everything was great but then again it was a new plot...i think we get blossom end rot here regardless of whether we have adequate calcium in the soil b/c of our erratic rainfall...i did get my rainbarrell last year and will be hand watering in july&august which i didn't do last yeari don't have a well and the city already gets enough of our money i don't dare use city water on my plants...

[Crabbergirl]

Originally Posted by Kya D

Egg shells have alot of calcium in them so they could work under tomato plants.

Exactly my point

[Crabbergirl]

Originally Posted by tonya

i have only had tomatoes for the last 2 years and although i did have a little blight last year it didn't take all of them out and the year before everything was great but then again it was a new plot...i think we get blossom end rot here regardless of whether we have adequate calcium in the soil b/c of our erratic rainfall...i did get my rainbarrell last year and will be hand watering in july&august which i didn't do last yeari don't have a well and the city already gets enough of our money i don't dare use city water on my plants...

One thing you may want to consider with your watering, is that watering the leaves and top watering of tomatoes can cause disease such as bilghts and viruses. When ever possible water only at ground level, NEVER water in the heat of the day and NEVER at night. Only water tomatoes ealry in the morning or in the afternoon when they can dry before night fall. I know that sounds like what I just said not to do but the key is keeping plant leaves dry at dusk I use only soaker hoses under my mulch to water my tomatoes. Never a sprinkler that will wet the leaves

[Annette99]

Most people in the northeast that bought tomatoe seedlings last year ended up with tomatoe blight. it was something that came from the growers.

[Jade]

I know that my tomatoes got the late blight and we ended up with almost no tomatoes. I am giving them another chance this year because I just love tomatoes and they are still expensive to buy locally unless I buy romas or seconds in half bushels for canning.

[RonsGarden]

Last year was a really bad year for growing tomatoes and other crops!
We had way too much rain which basicly rotted the tomatoes in the field!
This year looks to be a good year, now that we are under the influence of El Nino, rather then a La Nina!