Grow The STRONGEST Tomato Plants With These 4 Garden Secrets!

In this video, I share 4 garden secrets that will help you grow the strongest tomato plants! The long-term health of a tomato plant hinges on its root system, so growing tomato plants with the biggest, strongest roots possible is key! I will teach you how to plant tomatoes to have extra large root systems, which leads to bigger, more fruitful and more disease resistant tomato plants.
Please see the following PRODUCT LINKS shown in the video:
Jobes Bone Meal (4lb)*: amzn.to/3Gqp52e
Espoma Bone Meal 4lb (3-PACK)*: amzn.to/3KH4dq7
Down To Earth Crab Shell Meal (5lb)*: amzn.to/41tcgNf
Jack's All Purpose 20-20-20 (1.5lb)*: amzn.to/3MQ4I2A
Jack's All Purpose 20-20-20 (25lb)*: amzn.to/41v1Ufa
Organic All Purpose 5-3-3 Fertilizer (4lbs)*: amzn.to/3JWyjEh
Full Amazon Store*: www.amazon.com/shop/themillen...
Learn more about bone meal here: • This Magic White Powde...
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Intro To Growing Tomatoes
0:51 Tip #1: Planting Tomatoes Deeply
2:55 Tip #2: Fertilizing Tomatoes Properly
5:52 Tip #3: Compost & Mulch
8:03 Tip #4: Water Soluble Feed
9:32 Bonus Tip!
12:50 Adventures With Dale
If you have any questions about how to grow tomatoes in your vegetable garden, have questions about growing fruit trees or want to know about the things I grow in my raised bed vegetable garden and edible landscaping food forest, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and garden hacks, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share some DIY and "how to" garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please ask in the Comments below!
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VISIT MY AMAZON STOREFRONT FOR PRODUCTS I USE MOST OFTEN IN MY GARDEN*
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SUPPORT MY SECOND CHANNEL!
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EQUIPMENT I MOST OFTEN USE IN MY GARDEN (INDIVIDUAL LINKS)*:
Miracle-Gro Soluble All Purpose Plant Food amzn.to/3qNPkXk
Miracle-Gro Soluble Bloom Booster Plant Food amzn.to/2GKYG0j
Miracle-Gro Soluble Tomato Plant Food amzn.to/2GDgJ8n
Jack's Fertilizer, 20-20-20, 25 lb. amzn.to/3CW6xCK
Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide amzn.to/2HTCKRd
Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate amzn.to/2UHSNGE
Monterey Organic Spinosad Concentrate amzn.to/3qOU8f5
Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer (BT Concentrate) amzn.to/2SMXL8D
Cordless ULV Fogger Machine amzn.to/36e96Sl
Weed Barrier with UV Resistance amzn.to/3yp3MaJ
Organza Bags (Fig-size) amzn.to/3AyaMUz
Organza Bags (Tomato-size) amzn.to/36fy4Re
Injection Molded Nursery Pots amzn.to/3AucVAB
Heavy Duty Plant Grow Bags amzn.to/2UqvsgC
6.5 Inch Hand Pruner Pruning Shears amzn.to/3jHI1yL
Japanese Pruning Saw with Blade amzn.to/3wjpw6o
Double Tomato Hooks with Twine amzn.to/3Awptr9
String Trellis Tomato Support Clips amzn.to/3wiBjlB
Nylon Mason Line, 500FT amzn.to/3wd9cEo
Expandable Vinyl Garden Tape amzn.to/3jL7JCI
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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
34.1°N Latitude
Zone 8A
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*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
© The Millennial Gardener
#gardening #garden #gardeningtips #tomatoes #tomatoplants

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 Intro To Growing Tomatoes 0:51 Tip #1: Planting Tomatoes Deeply 2:55 Tip #2: Fertilizing Tomatoes Properly 5:52 Tip #3: Compost & Mulch 8:03 Tip #4: Water Soluble Feed 9:32 Bonus Tip! 12:50 Adventures With Dale

[@user-zr4vc7tz5l]

Question: I want to plant my tomato plants in the black grow bag. How big of a grow bag do I need for 1 tomato plant? 5,10 or 20 gallon. Thank you.

[@AbundantGardening]

For determinates, use at least 5. Indeterminates use at least 7, preferably 10.

[@user-zr4vc7tz5l]

@@AbundantGardening Thank you very much for answering my question.

[@jenniferfitzgerald369]

Great video, thank you!!❤

[@baneverything5580]

I have a lot of pine trees so I use pine needles as mulch to keep diseases from splattering on my tomatoes from the soil when it rains. But I was forced to try something new to grow things or completely do without fresh produce since I have disabilities, no car, no help, no soil on my lot, and have to order whatever I have. I started learning soil-less indoor growing. I had received several free growers as part of a testing development program to help improve and the results were incredible. So I started getting more and began experimenting with building my own in hopes of perfecting a method of producing potatoes all year indoors or tropical fruits. When the fertilizer shortage scare happened I bought 25 pounds of MasterBlend nutrients...one 10lb bag is general "tomato" fertilizer, another is calcium nitrate, and a 5 lb bag of epsom salt. (Now I use this in my pitiful outdoor garden that I`m slowly building from forest dirt, leaves, grass clippings, cover crops and ashes.) Then I discovered MaxiGro is all I need and it`s an all-in-one kilo bag of powder that lasts me years. One kilo can grow more tomatoes, lettuce, herbs etc than I can eat in 5 years, basically. It`s more expensive but so easy. These nutrients are pure fertilizer though so why would I buy an expensive bag of 10-10-10? I love growing tomatoes under the edge of my camper roof in hydro buckets. So EASY and inexpensive! Soil to grow one container tomato plant costs way over 100 times more than water and tiny amounts of nutrients and soil needs watering over and over and over sometimes three times per day. Water/nutrients grows perfect cabbage, lettuce, turnips, basil...it`s incredible...and you can add an aquarium bubbler and not have to watch water levels. But it`s easy to keep water levels right for air roots with float valves connected to a tank and use no electricity. A lettuce plant can be grown with 3 liters of water. My soil was removed here so until I slowly repair it I can`t grow things like tomatoes in the ground. And I suspect my mentally ignorant nephew who is OBSESSED with things like weed killer and poison sprayed individual weeds here because something isn`t right.

[@dovey6259]

If you plant your leggy tomatoes in a trench here's a tip that I started doing a few years back. Since the plants naturally pull up to the light, I lay the plants on their sides on a picnic table with the pots on the table and the plants hanging off the edge. The plants will naturally start pulling up toward the sun, So you don't have to worry about snapping them when you're burying them in a trench. It works great! It takes about 2 days for them to be into position for planting in the trench. Of course do this after you take the lower leaves off, and put something over the pots like a piece of board so they don't blow off the table.

[@galinamazuryk2036]

I do the same.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's an interesting concept 🤔

[@dovey6259]

@@TheMillennialGardener It works quite well Dale!

[@lynn8524]

This is a genius idea! I can’t wait to try it.

[@AnitaBooth-oo9xb]

How many days do you do that?

[@Aroyaldmd]

I'm 78 and have been growing tomatoes for over 40 years and I learned something knew from you today. I had never heard of pinching the lower leaves at least 24 hours before their final planting. Just shows that old dogs can learn new tricks...if they keep wanting to learn.

[@dovey6259]

I've always done that, because I figure the open wounds would let disease in.

[@ChrisPBacon-yz6nk]

Me either but it makes a lot of sense.

[@Aroyaldmd]

@dovey62 It certainly does the more that I think about it, but had never seen it or read it anywhere else. I moved back to Alaska 6 years ago and am learning how to grow tomatoes in pots. I've never done so before having had plenty of garden space in Southern IL. So I'm doing research just as I did back when I started gardening several years ago. Only now it's on-line instead of in books and magazines.

[@dovey6259]

@@Aroyaldmd So you have to grow short season tomatoes for the most part?

[@get6149]

I miss understood why we pulled off the bottom leafs I thought where we pulled off the leafs were what became roots

[@kurks001]

Hands down the best guide to starting tomatoes and I've watched A LOT.

[@doraw7766]

Thanks. I listened to half your video, went outside to add more soil in the tomato pots for more root growth, and gave extra water. Came back in and finished watching video after ordering the Crab Fertilizer. I am addicted to my lovely garden and give tons of my food away. People love it. (I think). hahaha

[@lor6496]

Thank you for all your time that you put into these videos, you definitely share valuable content to help us all get out there and grow our own food.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad you find them helpful.

[@whathappened2230]

Thanks for this video! I always learn something good here!

[@lgrillo]

I also use landscape staples to anchor the jugs. Just poke them through the bottom of the jug and into the ground. Great content as usual! One of the many things I love about this channel is the pacing at which he gives the info. Clear, concise, articulate w/ great video to illustrate the points.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos. I try my best to cut out all the long pauses. Editing out the pauses, "oh's" and "umm's" saves around 30 seconds per video.

[@plontkegurl9529]

How long do you keep the milk jugs on there when they are new?

[@gkarenstratton]

Small town-er here...WHERE do you get your "landscape staples"?

[@NatalieBakerLove]

​@@gkarenstratton southern states or Lowes.

[@nancybrooks-hartz8807]

This was awesome !! Ty so mich

[@rachelbrodeur2600]

Learnt several new tips. Thank you very much!!

[@sunshinedayz2172]

Thank you! Your tips are valuable!

[@laurazehren4474]

Thanks - always learning!

[@lorimills8612]

I have learned so much from you! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@christophertiredofbs8514]

What a friendly nice guy… Thank you for Massachusetts

[@somejerkbag]

Ahh this is such a big help right now. Thanks a bunch!

[@rblak01]

Excellent advice thank you!!

[@nildaotero2933]

Excellent video, thanks for the tips

[@isabelladavis1363]

As always great information…trying a different approach this year …In ground …raised beds …with all this info they should look amazing this year much to the joy of hubby…stay blessed

[@kimberlyomeara5450]

First time tomatoe grower here I followed your instructions to the letter but I'm planting in a strawbale wish me luck and thanks for all your great videos. I've really learned alot.

[@ISayFinn]

BEST gardener on youtube, and loves dogs, what's not to like! Even I, a year round gardener learn something every time I watch your videos.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm glad you find the videos helpful.

[@hmmm..2733]

I appreciate so much how detailed you are. So helpful!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@dogloverboxer1426]

Excellent video. thanks so much!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@laurieishmael1001]

You are very thorough and I like that thank-you!

[@sydneybluestein6215]

We’re in Wilmington too! So excited to use your tips and tricks

[@daynaocean]

Awesome video, and channel! Thanks 😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@sylvia10101]

I enjoy your videos! Thank you MG😊👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching as always.

[@valjalava1951]

Great video ,lots of information

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@aluliasz8304]

Thanks for another great video! Getting my new raised beds ready here in CT. I'm finally upgrading my garden and your videos are a big help. I Still have a couple weeks until planting outdoors.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad to hear the videos are helpful! Congrats on the upgraded garden. A garden upgrade is a life upgrade! Savor this time of year.

[@swtnskye5151]

Amazing how to grow! Thank You.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You are welcome!

[@BackyardGardenFlo]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@terifrank7393]

Thx so much for all your videos!. Planting my tomatoes out today. Have the jugs ready just in case! Hugs for Dale! He's so cute and smart! I have a fig tree in the greenhouse and your videos are so helpful. Love fresh figs! God bless!

[@merrijordan749]

Great info thanks you😊

[@backyardnursery7008]

Great video, as usual. Appreciate the tips. You mentioned having issues with nematodes--this year, I'm experimenting with growing Winecap and Oyster mushrooms. Both are supposed to be delicious, edible mushrooms--and they'll do three things: 1) "fruit" and feed you, 2) decompose the mulch layer, feeding your plants, 3) those two species (I believe) are "active" predators of nematodes. Could be a beneficial companion planting. Growing mushrooms indoors has been a lot of fun so far. Looking forward to trying them in my mulch beds soon, sharing in case you're interested too.

[@PPH-GARDEN]

Thank you for sharing the secret to the best growing tomato plants. very helpful 🔔

[@reginawagner2810]

Thanks for this informative video (and your other videos) on growing tomatoes! I'm new to your channel and I've learned so much from you!) 🍅🥒🌶️

[@drea4195]

I got by fertilizing my tomatoes for years with excellent home made compost, which doubled as a fertilizer and a mulch. But I think this year I'm trying the bone meal and epsom salts as well as fish emulsion. Looking forward to the results, maybe as early as June. Thanks for the tips!

[@toneyjohnson8910]

I will give this a try, thanks.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@mompuff]

Thank you so much for such great content to help us with our gardens!! I have learned so much from you!! God bless 🙌🏻🤗💐

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@rebanelson607]

Excellent!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@michelbisson6645]

Very good thank you

[@jackiemobley8529]

Great video!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@oneswta2n]

Very helpful video great information.. thank you much appreciated

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@Gonzalo_M]

Very, very valuable information! 🙂 keep going with your great videos! 😋 It would be nice to have soon an update of your fig plants. Those from your experiment! 🥸 all the best!

[@ToddSmithPartners]

Always appreciate your input. We’re here in Atlanta and it’s perfect now for planting. Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@markm1514]

Its been unusually cool this year in central Texas, I thought I was getting a late start but with the last few cold fronts it turns out I was right on time with my seedlings. I had a few bean plants indoors that totally outpaced the ones outside once it got below 60. Wishing you all a plentiful season!

[@lynettetucker544]

Thanks for the great tips 👍🏾⭐️

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@MikeR65]

I knew most of these tips but I like the bone meal tip . Especially from the other video . I’m looking stir big success from this!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It’s great stuff. Get ready to be impressed!

[@MatildaandSuki]

@@TheMillennialGardener is bonemeal good for cucumber, okra etc, or mostly just tomatoes?

[@alicebuckel9059]

Video is so helpful!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear it!

[@heatherc2]

Thanks

[@leonalarson1598]

Thank you. I am so grateful for your tips, I have some of the fertilizer you have, but there are 3 that I was at a loss for not knowing what to get. Thank you 😊😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! All you need for most gardening is a granulated organic fertilizer, some bone meal, and some type of soluble fertilizer on-hand in case you need to give them a boost. You don't have to get too crazy, because it can get costly.

[@daisyhaven9831]

Lol - you and Dale! Makes me smile every time. Thanks for the very well researched information (and to those who provide the informative comments.) After the just departed summer (Australia) I've become a tomato cynic. The carefully tended seedlings produced almost nothing, whilst the supermarket cherry toms dumped in the worm farm resulted in more tomatoes than I've ever produced before. Hmmm!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Variety selection means a lot. Cherry tomatoes are easy, because they will pollinate in temperatures other tomatoes will not. If you live in the tropical north, like Queensland, maybe even Brisbane, your summer nights are too warm and humid for pollination of most tomatoes (except cherry types). So, if you plant your tomatoes too late, by the time it flowers, it's too hot and humid and all your flowers will drop. I'm guessing your struggles were based either on temperature or lack of fertilizing. If you're far north, you may want to consider growing tomatoes in winter or on the shoulder seasons and not grow them in the dead of summer if you're frost-free.

[@LT-pv7ho]

After putting fertilizer, bonemeal, crab meal, mulch, compost and water soluble fertilizer …those mater samiches are going to be expensive.

[@lyndapierce2333]

Many thanks👋🥰👋

[@sandrajohnston9745]

Thanks for the timely tips! I did exactly as you said and was especially happy with the milk jug greenhouses as it got down to 31.9F last night. Only problem: my dogs (Chihuahuas) dug up the tomato seedlings and were eating the bone meal in the dirt. Up went the chicken wire fence.

[@lindabeebe3599]

Squirrels, dog, birds, leaf footed stink bugs: geez.....and I still enjoy it. 😁

[@selecttravelvacations7472]

I feel your pain. I have everything netted due to the chickens and they still managed to tear up my green bean seedlings and peas yesterday! Starting over today if the rain holds off. Moving the beans to the front yard to hide among the flowers.

[@fenrirgg]

Lol dogs make a mess and still we treat them like royalty 😂. They will dig wherever smells funny to them, with care they learn to respect your plants though.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

Good video. A lot of good tips!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks!

[@ibpositivemostly7437]

Cool video thanks.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@TnOrchidguy]

Thank you, brother, thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@KunJayMaster]

So many products for a simple tomato plant.

[@firefighterrobbie]

Great tips! I live here in Eastern NC as well. I live in a little town called Little Washington in Beaufort County. Im hoping the weather will stay warm but if not I like your idea of the milk cartons as little green houses. Great job and thanks for all your tips. I have put them to use already. I got some rain barrels today and now going to order the supplies so I can start collecting rain water.

[@josephstoeckel2953]

Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you so much for your support and generosity! I really appreciate it ❤

[@AmzBackyardOrchardandVineyard]

Greetings from Arizona! thanks for the tis and tricks. we plan to fertilize our tomatoes 1 more time before our summer heat sets in!

[@Doss2k]

Up here in Raleigh I took your advice and got some out early so I already have a few that are over a foot tall or bigger with flowers forming after I pinched off the very first set to let them really get established. Trying to get one or two out every day now from the garage as some are really outgrowing their temp pots. Got to eat my first snap peas yesterday as well, those are always a treat.

[@JohnJohn-wr1jo]

Thanks, as always great info. Long time vegetable gardener, over 50 years. My son turned me on to the mycorrhyzal innoculants and I have become a strong believer in this additive. Don't fully understand the science behind it but have done comparison plantings and without a doubt it's by far the best fertilizer I've found to add at planting to improve the vitality of a tomato plant. It promotes extremely strong root growth. I was hesitant due to the cost but after seeing the benefits I am using this on more vegetables every year at planting.

[@PlantObsessed]

My son did the same for me. The difference between the roots in side by side pots was nuts. I'm sold.

[@myurbangarden7695]

Great Tips...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cbak1819]

I hardly ever fertilize and my plants grow great.. I do amend soil before , compost and organic fertilizer then mulch. I am concerned of over fertilizing . I have decided to use the milk jug protection this year.. you have inspired me. Ty so much.

[@chippy527]

Great content and very helpful! Thank you for continuing your channel. I know it must take a lot of work to make each video but you’re helping so many people become better gardeners!! The crab meal fertilizer is also recommended for boxwoods to thwart root nematodes.

[@melindaroth5796]

OH HECK YEAH ANTHONY, GREAT INFORMATION. OUR PLANTS ARE GETTING BEAUTIFUL NOW AND WE JUST FOUND OUT MORE STORMS AND COLD TEMPS. COMING WEDNESDAY. YIKES. THANK YOU. LOVE YALL. ❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Spring is a volatile time. The cold is finally over here, but we dipped into the upper 30's once or twice in early April. Still very windy, though. Early Spring is both a blessing and a curse.

[@melindaroth5796]

@@TheMillennialGardener OH YEAH WE ARE FINDING THAT OUT. THE HAIL WE HAD THE OTHER NIGHT IN TEXAS BROKE OFF A FEW LEAVES BUT THANK FATHER GOD THEY ARE OK. PLANTS ARE LIKE LITTLE BABIES. HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

[@Lalrinmawii7]

Very good, thank you so much. I will definitely add a bone meal fertilizer to my tomato plants this year. My Roma tomatoes are so big..they are flowering now..but it's still too cold at night to transplant them in my garden.😮

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Jealous. Mine are so far behind. I had a bad seed starting season and a cold late March /early April. Hopefully, we have a cool June and the tomatoes will flower a little later. I definitely recommend the bone meal!

[@marlenepopos12]

​@@TheMillennialGardener I have san marzano plum tomatoes 2 feet long but I am afraid to put them outside our temperature keep going into the mid to low 40F and 60 in the day time. Should I put them in the ground this comingTuesday? From south Jersey

[@BrittCHelmsSr]

I finally got my tomatos in the ground yesterday. I supported my Catawba Ridge High School's FFA program by buyng my plants during their spring plant sale yesterday. I added bone meal to the plantings, so that should give them an extra head-start.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Nice! It's great to support them. The bone meal helps. Adding more in 2 weeks to support them when they begin flowering is also a good idea.

[@curtischadd]

Just subscribed. My bad I’ve been watching you for quite awhile. Thought I already had. Btw love the sun gold and ss 100 going to try the super sauce this year for canning. I do like the red currant? I’d have to look at the packet for proper name. Just wish they were/are bigger but super easy to grow especially for new gardeners and/or kids new to gardening Thanks for all your content

[@frankbellissimo9525]

Great video, instead of compost for your veggies, I do use my grass clippings which I find works great 8:02

[@markm1514]

I use Alaska Fish Fertilizer for hardening off seedlings when the seed starting mix runs out of nutrients, plus for transplants and for a couple weeks after to promote leafy growth. Its my favorite soluble nitrogen because as you mentioned the balance of nutrients, I use it as a foliar feed on the entire plant when its getting established and the tomatoes soak it all up. Bonemeal is of course always an ingredient in plantings and I also dissolve/disperse bonemeal in a watering can and use that directly to water in seedlings, as calcium and phosphorus are not the most mobile nutrients. This year I'm adding a light side dress of MOP to freshly cultivated beds in hopes of better disease and drought resistance, last summer was absolutely brutal.

[@Lambily_garden]

Love your videos and garden!!! Thanks for all that you do!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoy them.

[@Lambily_garden]

@@TheMillennialGardener and you responded to my comment 😊😊😊

[@Sam-lj9vj]

Our winters here in the Netherlands 8B have been quite different as to what we had last year. Right now we are still having nights in between 35-47 degrees, yet in 2022 I already had all my plants in the open ground.

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Jack’s is the bomb!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It is good stuff.

[@eunicebrothers1950]

I'm new to gardening and am learning so much from you. Thank you for educating us and for sharing your passion. I have a question about mulching. How do I apply future granule fertilizer the next time with the mulch in the way? And when I apply liquid fertilizer every few weeks wouldn't the mulch absorb most of the nutrients and the roots may not get much or any? Again I'm new to gardening. Thsnk you for all your help in advance.

[@777AndrewR]

Great video! If I can only get past the seedlings stage!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks! What’s the problem? Damping off or forgetting to water? There’s nothing wrong with buying a few seedlings if you don’t want to start seed.

[@777AndrewR]

@@TheMillennialGardener yea damping off

[@waynem.7226]

Three things to try and prevent your seedlings damping off are 1) When moistening your seed germination soil, use 1 capful of hydrogen peroxide to 1 gal of water before filling your tray with the dampened/treated soil. 2) Top off your seeded tray with a light layer of fine vermiculite, and 3) As the bulk of your seedlings emerge, remove your tray dome and place a fan near to blow over them lightly. It will lower the moisture level that causes disease around your young plants, plus it strengthens the stems. Bonus tip: Don't over-water. Allow the soil to nearly dry out between waterings. The MG may have better tips, but these have worked for me.

[@brandonproductions88]

What about pinching off the first few flowers on the plants so they can focus on growth? Also have bought bonemeal this year by your recommendation, curious to see how that'll go! Thanks :)

[@martyb.8510]

Would you use the same amendments for eggplant, pepper and cucumber starts? Thanks for the great tips!

[@eaglerider1826]

I love the milk jug hack !

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It works. I've been using it for years, and it's never failed me.

[@benink5690]

Love the shows and tips. Im defenitely not buying any soil or ferts etc. I have 200+years of aged manure that is basically the entire property. And i want a regenerative farm and to spend as little as possible. But youre giving me ideas for fettilizers i can forage from our land. Thank yoy

[@scottburns1481]

Great video. When would you follow up with your next fertilization/schedule and would you use the same products?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Every 2 weeks or so. Adding 1Tbsp fertilizer per plant twice a month seems to be enough.

[@jimriley9697]

Would love to see you do a side by side, with one buried deep, one buried medium and one not buried.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That would be tough to do, because I would have to rip up the plants to compare the root systems. Come the end of the year, all the plants are going to have the same root systems, since they all have the same confined area to grow in. They'll all eventually fill the area out. I believe planting them deeply helps them root from more places early in their lives, which accelerates the growth of the root system. However, the only way to know for sure would be to rip them out while they're still young, and I'm not willing to do that for obvious reasons.

[@jimriley9697]

I was thinking more like, earlier fruit set, or heavier fruit set, or disiese pressure things like that. Not so much the roots, more the benefits of the roots.

[@cordelia7313]

@@TheMillennialGardener what if you were to do a comparison video of using fertilizers and one plant not using fertilizers? Not necessarily the tomatoes since you have already have them planted but maybe a different vegetable or maybe next year as I am sure you have a schedule planned if what you will be creating in the next few weeks.

[@brianramsey3824]

That sounds like a trick suggestion if u have seen what I've seen

[@jimriley9697]

Science is done best when 3rd partys confirm results

[@traeannahbrown5699]

Hello new subscriber! Your videos have been very helpful! Do you think finely ground egg shells could be interchangeable with bone meal?

[@eatxsleepxdie847]

Thank you so much for creating this channel. I’m planting my first container garden this year and your information has helped so much! I’m in Oklahoma, is there anything you talk about with your local climate that would be an absolute no in Oklahoma or do we have a similar enough climate that all of your advice is good to go? Thank again!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Your summers are dryer and have less humidity than mine, so anything that works for me should work for you. Just keep in mind that most tomatoes become infertile once nights reach above 70F and the dew point reaches the upper 60's and 70's, so make sure you have small-fruited options like Roma types and cherry types that won't lose all their blossoms in extreme humidity.

[@dannamadura2035]

For nematodes,marigolds work well and look great as companion plants. Hardly need to use any pesticide (I only used neem oil) on my previous tomatoes.

[@baneverything5580]

There are varieties of very strong mustard that are grown as a cover crop, chopped to bits with a mower, then immediately tilled into the soil to destroy nematodes and other harmful soil diseases.

[@kaywhite1554]

Hello from Leland, NC 🤗

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Hi, neighbor.

[@TheOnlyKontrol]

As far as I know the main reason the fish emulsion helps so much with transplant is the amino acids. Some people even do a fish emulsion foliar sprays and claim it helps a lot with transplant shock at least for certain plants. I personally use Neptune's Harvest 2-4-1 because its higher in phosphorus. I mix that with kelp and it gives me a bit more nitrogen and I feel like this could almost be enough for most and very simple. Also from my experience Mycorrhizae during transplant helps a lot as well with transplant shock.

[@dovey6259]

I've been using fish emulsion for years! Back in the '80s I used to get four 1 gallon jugs, and I mean the thick stuff, for $29.99! Now that it's become popular to use it costs a fortune, and it's not as thick anymore. I used to use one tablespoon to a gallon of water, now they're saying to put two on most of the brands.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm sure it's for many reasons. The water soluble nitrogen also helps, because it helps them grow through any struggles. If you can't or won't use fish fertilizer for whatever reason, even something like MiracleGro All Purpose 24-8-16 will help due to the water soluble nitrogen. I think fish fertilizer is best, though. It's so chock full of nutrients.

[@mslea13]

My grandpa and I would go fishing and after we finished cleaning all the fish, he’d always bury the carcasses in holes near the tomato plants. He said they were great for fertilizing the tomatoes. He was right!!! I swear the fruit would smell like fish sometimes though…😂🤮😂 Maybe it was just my imagination, not sure, but my grandma’s garden was ALWAYS incredible and we never went hungry because she canned so many things. I sure miss them and wish I had asked my grandma to teach me how to can (and especially for her recipes). Thanks for the awesome video! New subscriber here! 🙋🏻‍♀️❤️

[@user-qi2pq8vt6k]

Good

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@jasoncorkran688]

Please try a trial to show the difference between growth on 1 with stem buried , stem partially buried , and 1 that is planted just at the surface of the roots. I've seen some gardeners that have seen varied results

[@jasoncorkran688]

Via scottgardener

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Doing so will require digging up the plants after a few weeks, which I'm not going to do. By the end of the year, no matter how you plant your tomatoes, they will fill out the allotted area. The goal here is to encourage more root growth immediately at planting.

[@doulabug2]

@TheMillennialGardener Thank you for such a thorough video!! Would I follow these same techniques for planting my tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets? Currently, I only have 2 Cherokee Purples, but will plant a couple more in a couple more weeks. I’m using Burpee’s Organic Potting Mix to plant them in. I’ll place a layer of rock in the bottom (the buckets also have holes on the bottom and sides), then place the potting mix on top of that. Should I also add the fertilizer (I have Espoma’s Tomato Tone as well as Espoma’s Garden Tone) and the Bone Meal and Fish Fertilizer (I have Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer), but I cannot find Espoma’s Bone Meal anywhere. I’m also looking for Bonide Copper Fungicide (Powder form) but it is nowhere to be found. One local garden shop told me he hasn’t seen the powder form in over 4-5 years!! I know you get lots of questions, but if you could please help me solve these questions, I’d be ever so grateful. BTW, I’m in Zone 7B, in North Carolina. Happy Gardening!! 🪴💚 🪴

[@BBuchanan3]

A milk jug greenhouse! I love it.

[@denisemiller8474]

I use landscape fabric u spikes on my milk jugs to hold them in place I pop a hole low on the side stick the u staple through the hole in the jug and poke it down in the soil. I remove my jugs during the day to give my plants more air. Cover back up in the evening.

[@JoshuaWShanks]

We have a lot of good success using Agrothrive in our wick tubs with tomatoes. We also hit all of our plants with Spray-N-Grow also. It’s some awesome stuff!

[@emcsquare62]

WV here. We put out our tomato plants this weekend. It was 83°. Today is only got to 45°. Ugh!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That happened to us last week. We had a day where it was 47° and raining all day a week ago. Even down here on the coast, we aren’t safe in early April.

[@stavid7870]

I live in WNC and was hardening my tomatoes off but now it's too cold again lol. Back inside for a couple weeks....

[@kristin143]

that's one of my favorite too, fish emulsion! ...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's good stuff!

[@kristin143]

yes, very true! ...

[@edjo3430]

Man, you have the tidiest garden I've seen. Mine looks like birds planted my trees, and dogs laid down my drip irrigation. good job buddy.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I try to keep it neat. It cuts down on weeds and pests. The key is heavy mulching. The thicker you mulch, the less weeds and pests you'll tend to have.

[@melanieeaton3344]

Still really cold here in Brookings OR. I have lived in Bville for 30 years and have never seen it soo cold for such a long time. Snow on the beach off and on for a week last month. And last year Bville didn't even have a semi-warm summer. I'll dive into my recycle can and use your milk jug trick because lows here are now in the high 30's at night and only high 40's to low 50's during the day.

[@knittingnighthiker]

Thanks for the information. Two questions: is there a concern about the hardwood mulch taking a long time and/or using up nutrients in the soil to break down? Is there an alternative you recommend to fish fertilizer - my best friend and garden buddy has anaphylaxis with fish/shellfish so that's not an option. Thanks!

[@renedean4232]

Can Pete moss help with suppressing drying out. Also, I'm using worm meal & trying vermiculite this yr. & of course bone meal per usual. Our 39 degree did yellow bottom leaves, but plants bouncing back nicely. Even already have few blooms on bush varieties!?