I'm a bit disappointed in the voice, Rod. Why have you no southern accent at all? You grew up in LA, and live in TX, and still no southern accent? This is odd, and rather sad. (OK, just kidding.)

Unless those are determinate tomato plants (and possibly even if they are) you will definitely need a more robust method for keeping them upright. I suggest going to your local farm supply store for fence posts. You do know what those are, right? Tomato plants are very large and not all that easy to support. If you don't know the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, I would google it now--no, really, right now! Things grow very quickly in TX. I would hate to see your children eaten by the tomato plants!

Posted by: mary margaret | March 29, 2008 12:10 AM

I had a sneaking suspicion that that was the reason for the lack of Southern accent. Too bad, I love the accents of the South (and I have less than no patience with those who think that an accent denotes a level of intelligence or ignorance). Those of us who are Kansan enjoy the variation of accents around the country, as our own accents are rather boring.

OK, my neophyte gardener. Determinate tomato plants are the bush-type plants. They grow to a fixed height and require less support. They also tend to have a shorter time for actual tomato production, perhaps 4-6 weeks. The indeterminate types (more common here in Kansas) are sometimes called "vining" tomatoes. They continue to grow and produce until frost(although I have been told that tomatoes will not set, that is, the blooms will not actually produce fruit, while the temperature is above 100deg Fahrenheit) throughout the growing season. These plants require much more support, and are usually grown in cages. Fence posts are particularly good for keeping the cages upright, as you can sink them deep into the ground (use a driver--basically a piece of pipe, sealed at one end, with handles). You can also use them as stakes for your plants--they have the aforementioned advantage of being sunk deeply into the ground, plus they will not rot as wood stakes can. Check your tags (or little plastic spikes) that would have been with your plants when you purchased them. They will have a code that generally begins with I (indeterminate) or D (determinate) and then will have other letters that tell you the resistance of the tomato plant to various diseases and pests. Generally speaking, when you grow tomatoes for the first time, they are less likely to have issues with disease, but next year you could have more problems with them.

Oh, do let me know how the chard grows (and tastes). I have never grown that one, but it sounds good.

Posted by: mary margaret | March 29, 2008 2:15 PM