I LOVE THESE POTS!

It's finally dry enough to plant our peppers, eggplant, and the rest of our tomatoes in our backyard garden here at Lazy Dog Farm. We'll show your plans for trellising our big indeterminate tomato plot and talk about how these SunPack step-up pots worked so well for us.
We'll also talk about the different types of drip tape irrigation, which one we like best, and share a little tip for sealing the end of the tape to reduce leaking.
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[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

I use Irritec tape. From my experience, I recommend buying the 15mil and always bury it. Bugs put holes in the thin stuff and rodents chew up any tape on the surface. I'm on very sandy soil so I tend to bury my tape in mulch or compost. That wets the underside of the mulch and spreads the wet out more than it would going straight into sand. In places were I'm going to leave the tape and not cultivate around it, I'll plant garlic or chives at the ends. I've found that voles will drive a tunnel under the tape in line with it and bite a hole every so often along it. They don't like garlic. Also, ALWAYS flush the drip tape before you close the ends. You get dirt in it during assembly and if you close up the ends the only way for the dirt to get out is through the emitters.

[@hacc220able]

Did my tomatoes with the 8 foot T Post and drop string in 2023. Best method I ever tried. As tomatoes ripened and were removed on the lower section, just lowered the string and clipped the upper new growth to the string. As tomatoes were removed from lower section, the stem was carefully twirled into a large loop at ground level as the support strings were lowered. The stems grew over 20 feet long, produced large tomatoes all season until frost took them.

[@lisabooker6405]

Now Daddy that lil blonde head feller was probably plantin “sumpin!” LOL He’s so durn cute whatcha gonna do?!? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣🤣 Thanks for all y'all do. God Bless ~Lisa

[@LazyDogFarm]

That cuteness gives him many passes. lol

[@charleselertii6187]

Thanks Travis. The time that you take for filming and sharing your garden with us is greatly appreciated. What a treat for us. Chuck in Jensen Beach.

[@LazyDogFarm]

My pleasure!

[@izzyguerrero3909]

The sun looks nice over there

[@LazyDogFarm]

'Twas a beautiful day.

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

Great video! I laughed when you said you know what your wife is going to say! I’m very interested to see how that trellising system is going to work, I think I need to see it to really grasp what you are doing. Klaus

[@LazyDogFarm]

It should make more sense when you see it.

[@jeannamaynard5037]

Scott Head, You Tuber on East Coast of Texas, uses this trellis system. He had no sunburn.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know. I'll check out his system.

[@terryallard1918]

I’ve been growing up a string for 4 years now. Hanging my string hook on an existing clothesline that’s no longer used for that. Works great!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sounds like a great way to do it!

[@terryallard1918]

@@LazyDogFarm Yes. I have large cages made from concrete reinforcing wire. Used them for 30 years. The string and clips just makes things much easier to get to. Thx for the quick reply. Really like y’all’s content. Tennessee boy here. 😉

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

I got a little chuckle when you mentioned trying out Josh's trellis to make you jealous. I subbed to him back when he was just getting started on YT. I haven't tried his trellis system yet but will be quite interested in seeing how it works out for you.👍

[@LazyDogFarm]

Stay tuned ...

[@everettmcdonald2088]

I might be a little crazy, but while watching the movie The Godfather, I noticed while the old man was playing with his grandson in the tomato patch, the sheets over the tomatoes. I figured it must be to protect them from sun scald and tried it in my garden with my row cover….it worked. 👍

[@markware7748]

Just don't tease your grandson with an orange slice.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Who would have thought that there were tomato growing tips in that movie?!

[@rickthelian2215]

Glad you found your Tool that went missing Travis....

[@LazyDogFarm]

Me too!

[@rickthelian2215]

@@LazyDogFarm I was in Bunnings the other day(Box Store in Australia) just have a look about when I noticed fertilisers are started to increase Lawn Food top branded product was $33 per 20kg bag now $53. This is due to the Trouble in the Ukraine😢

[@jeffgibbs3835]

Great show... I am very experienced at growing indeterminate tomatoes here in East Tennessee, many different kinds, many different methods but I've never tried the leaning method.. I have seen a lot of different people do it on Utube.. My best method after all the years is a cattle panel raised up on tee posts, tied to tee posts with tie wire made for tying rebar in concrete footers.. The tie wire is very easy to work with and very cheap, about 3 bucks for enough to do you for years... That makes the fence about 7 feet tall, works very well for me... When your indeterminate tomatoes get to a point in the year that you are worried about sunburn be prepared by letting some suckers grow in the tops of your plants to produce some shade straight above the plants.. That's works very well for me but it has took me all these years to figure that out... But I realize that would mean that when you are lowering your plants the stems would have to cross, in other words the plant in front of you would be leaning to the right, the very next plant would be leaning to the left, every two plants would be crossed to shade the neighboring plants tomatoes.... Or you could lean them all the same way and have the same effect, with the neighboring plant shading tomatoes... One tip that you probably already know is when you first set out tomatoes and the sun is hard on them, the roots won't take up many nutrients until the plants really take root good.. The tip to cut transplanting shock in half is to folier feed during transplanting shock but do that when temps are less than 74° preferably in morning hours, don't want to have wet plants all night by doing it of the evening... Anyway it works good for me... Great show and good luck with all those tomatoes...

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing all your valuable experiences Jeff. Definitely lots of things to consider!

[@markb3129]

Thats a whole lot of tomatoes, never seen the trellis system before can't wait for the video on the setup... shaping up to be the same as last spring here in Louisiana about 7" of rain on Tuesday, your lucky in a way with the sandy soil you have. ✌

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good drainage is definitely an advantage to the sandy soils.

[@CattywampusAcres]

"I could plant more tomato plants if I want to." .... Tomato threats

[@LazyDogFarm]

It wasn't a very convincing threat, but an option nonetheless. lol

[@lindenbatasherah3004]

For that last last row space, how about half tomatillos and half ground cherries? They would be good eating!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

That would be good! I have some more tomatoes that viewers sent us that I think are going to go there though.

[@SouthernComfortHomestead]

I got I believe it’s called 162 cel trays and love the idea you give to bump the plants to the next level

[@LazyDogFarm]

Works well if you want to go in the ground with a little bigger transplant.

[@michaellane9079]

Clip them off so you don't have part of your plant rotting under the ground. Lay them in that trench only leaving the top growth. It grows a huge root system and they withstand wind and weather better. But do whatever makes you feel good.

[@TMesser74]

Glad you got that off your chest. 🤣

[@michaellane9079]

@@TMesser74 not sure what you mean by that but you are welcome for the good info. Do whatever makes you feel good.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I was worried about them needing significantly more water initially if laying them in the trench. Also I wanted to try and tap into the deep nutrient source. But I can certainly see the advantages of each way.

[@leahness3588]

More roots the better

[@davesrvchannel4717]

Best tomato production I ever had was one plant in greenhouse outperformed 12 plants that were outside. Same soil, same seed to start plant, same watering schedule. Yes one plant outperformed 12. That was last year. This year I’ll plant 2 in greenhouse and maybe 2 outside. Everything I planted in greenhouse way outperformed outside plants. Eggplant, peppers, onion, tomatoes etc

[@LazyDogFarm]

Nice! Sounds like a good reason to have a greenhouse!

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

Better control of the growing environment. Same reason Josh Sattin switched over to growing everything in high tunnels.

[@joewilson1457]

I'm in zone 8 b and I'm waiting until Monday to plant tomatoes and peppers it's going to be 39 degrees this weekend, another good show

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Joe! Enjoy your planting next week!

[@leahness3588]

"Why do you plant so many tomatoes " I would say " because i can" with a big smile😁😁👍🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

[@LazyDogFarm]

Exactly!

[@gailpetchenik3048]

I know…I luv it. Been there & done that🤪

[@nolawarren3560]

Seriously interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tan2230]

Great video! I plan to try the single stem lower and lean method too. I installed 4 "trellis to make you jealous" last year but quickly found out I need a 8' tall fence. Deer crushed my plants so never got to see the true performance. Fence going up in a few weeks! Got some deer in the freezer though and I know they ate well 😉

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you were able to harvest some of those deer!

[@John-yd2jm]

Man I been loving these videos. I have been starting a bunch of stuff indoors here in Ohio. So ready for spring the last frost date is around May 15 here. Do yourself a favor and get the deep carry pocket clip for your 940 it’s a game changer. Keep up the good work.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I've never had my knife leave my pocket unexpectedly. Are there other advantages to the deep pocket clip?

[@John-yd2jm]

Yea I never had either. I have the bugout and the 940 I really liked the pocket clip on the bugout but wanted to like 940 better because I spent so much on it. $5 pocket clip makes it much more comfortable to carry. I bought mine off the benchmade site.

[@mattingly1217]

Trav did you know you don't even have to buy the row ends for your driptape.... if you cut a little 3inch piece of tape.... fold the end back like you normally do then fold it in half enough to slide the little 3" piece over the end and wala

[@LazyDogFarm]

I used to do it that way. But the row end piece is much faster IMO.

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

I have a smaller size of those pots but I love them too. So glad I got them. I uproot into solo cups though.

[@LazyDogFarm]

They're one of our favorite additions to the new greenhouse so far. Gonna be enjoying these things for years to come!

[@mindypereda9660]

Great video! Can't to see how this method works with indeterminate tomatoes

[@LazyDogFarm]

You and me both!

[@doggiefamily908]

Hi Travis, I've tried to grow indeterminate tomatoes the way you are planning to. They didn't get any sun damage, but we had strong winds, which whipped the tomatoes around, as they are not attached to anything sturdy. We lost two out of ten plants. In my opinion trellising is great for the greenhouse, but I will not do it again in open space.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing Ewa. If that's the case, we might lose a few as well.

[@jessicahellar323]

We also do the T post and conduit method but I don't do the lower and lean. For me it worked better to top the plants at about 8 ft. I seemed to get better production below that versus continuing to let the plant get taller and taller.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing. I might try that.

[@dwardodwardo643]

Think about not having the vertical growing not vertical but angled for a fan of growth and added production.

[@LazyDogFarm]

We might end up achieving that somewhat as we "lean" them along the conduit line.

[@mygunsweetness]

I did it last year, NE Oklahoma, lost a few due to sun damage, lower part of the plants. Going to try again this year.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing.

[@gregmccoy229]

I did this trellis system last year and it worked well....

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know!

[@timfetner8029]

Great job getting all of the peppers and tomatoes in the ground. Josh Sattin lives up here in NC and used to run the city garden in downtown Raleigh. Haven’t kept up with him lately but I believe he is back running his own homestead and market garden. I’ve done the drop string method with tomatoes before and it works well. Definitely have to stay on top of pruning out the suckers but you shouldn’t have any issues with sun scald.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing Tim!

[@Hatfield_Country]

Travis I think you have about the best looking garden plots on KZbin.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

[@terridunning5439]

Why did I plant so many tomatoes? Because they were there! I've always wanted to try that tomato trellising system, but my particular microclimate is very windy and just don't think it would work for me. I'll be cheering you on, though. I think it looks very cool.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for the support Terri!

[@lonnieclifton3883]

That's what I do with my indeterminate tomatoes from Park seed I grow them next to the fence and nip the suckers off

[@LazyDogFarm]

Nice way to get another use from the fence!

[@taylorrobins5090]

I currently have 7.4 acres about 30 minutes away that I used last year for a garden. After the whole season of driving back and Forth to work and not having time it was sortof a fail. $1K into the garden and very little in return. From drip tape, to growing my own plants from seeds. I couldn’t keep up with weeds and insects due to not being able to make the drive out there. I’m anxious to the day that we finally build a house out there to actually have a garden such as yours. Very nice work.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Having a garden that far away can definitely be tough.

[@MaggiSeer]

My summer temp get up into the mid thirtys centigrade and I grow my indeterminate tomatoes up strings, clipping out the laterals. I have recognised sunburn on my tomatoes over the last couple of years. It maybe exacerbated by the fact I grow in raised beds. I'm hoping to put up shade cloth to reduce the intensity of the afternoon sun and hopefully stop the sunburn. Maybe it will also slow the plant decline because the moment the temperatures drop the plants go mad with growth again

[@LazyDogFarm]

Hopefully the shade cloth helps. I think it should.

[@Mstymntntop]

Just get some ceiling hanger steel and make your hooks as you want.

[@LazyDogFarm]

And where might I find that?

[@markware7748]

A lot of good stuff there. We do many of the same things as ya'll but we just do them differently. I would use a separate anchor at the base of the drop string twine rather than tie it to the base of the tomato. A stick or a 12" spike or short rebar works well. Just in case you snag your drop string with an implement, you won't rip the plant out of the ground as I've done on three occasions. I found that I didn't care much for those tomato clips after a season. Found it more convenient to just wrap the top of the tomato around the twine as they grow. I hope that Pueblo chile finds favor in your garden and your kitchen. Its fruit is borne upward rather than hangy down and the flavor of that Mosca cultivar is prized in Colorado. Here at 6500' elevation, sunscald is a real concern. 20% shade cloth at the minimum.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Mark. I'm sure we'll learn plenty of ways to improve after trying it this first year.

[@gailpetchenik3048]

I didn’t use the clips either. Just wrapped them around the string everytime I pruned them

[@danielcook3771]

Central mo. had alot of sun scald with German pink. Had alot of tomatoes that made up for scalding.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Makes sense. Hopefully we have enough that it's okay if we lose a few to sun scalding.

[@pd8559]

I am not growing tomatoes this season due to the current economic uncertainty. I am growing a cousin to the domestic tomato which is a wild ‘Mater that thrives in Southern Heat. Tomatoes plot went to the 200+ Tobacco plants and are half planted so far. The corn I upped to 350+ plants and are already planted.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sounds like you're prepared for the uncertainty!

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

nice thanks for showing off the pot

[@LazyDogFarm]

My pleasure 😊

[@amypage8141]

Hi Travis! How is your back doing so far this season?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Doing great! Thanks for asking.

[@davidward1259]

I finally ordered some of those Sunpack colored pots. FYI, Greenhouse Megastore has free shipping on every order THIS WEEK as a Spring Special. No Minimum.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

[@pamelamercado6902]

I have planted my tomatoes the same way you do I just piled the dirt up over the leaves but when I do start to trellis I do take the bottom leaves off. I have grown tomatoes on a trellis something like Josh's although I use PVC it doesn't work very well tomatoes too heavy I now use the conduit Here in Arizona the first planning of tomatoes I have no problems with tomatoes getting burnt or sun blistered the second set does a little before it cools off

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing Pamela.

[@softshock89]

We have these pots and they are amazing. So much better than the flimsy trays

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you like them too!

[@jimt6151]

Looking forward to seeing your trellising experiments in action!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Jim!

[@mattpeacock5208]

BRO! You're gonna be swimming in tomato sauce!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

I know right!

[@gailpetchenik3048]

I used that technique last yr & I loved it. I live in AR & it is really hot & a lot of sun. Didn’t have any problem with sun scald. I got a crop in the spring. Plants went dormant when it got hot. I kept watering them & they came back in the fall when it cooled off & got a bigger crop in the fall then the spring. They did grow all over the conduit in the fall. I think next yr I’m just going to top them off when they reach the conduit

[@LazyDogFarm]

The more I read these comments, I'm thinking I may top mine too instead of doing a lower and lean.

[@mutantryeff]

Tried watching but pain from 2nd round of shoulder surgery (stretching muscles and cleaning up from 1st rotator cuff surgery) leaves me not focusing. Will try later. We are having 85F temps now and ready to get my Golden Delight and Pascola zuke plants in the ground. Really like the Golden Delight. Hopefully can watch video later tonight.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Get better soon! Golden Delight is a great variety.

[@billstout1265]

I would use some shade cloth for your indeterminate tomatoes. I live in Arizona and I use 50% shade cloth.

[@LazyDogFarm]

It definitely probably wouldn't hurt. But I think I'd have to rig my system a little differently to be able to put shade cloth over it.

[@Wilk853]

Wondering how they will hold up to storms with high wind

[@LazyDogFarm]

Time will tell.

[@cherylmarkwardt1042]

Can't wait to see that trellis system

[@LazyDogFarm]

Me too. I think it's going to be pretty cool if it actually works.

[@Forevertrue]

Thanks Travis, always good stuff! Great point about not pulling the leaves on the tomatoes. It's the same for Potatoes, just cover them.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Seems like an unnecessary step to me, but each to their own.

[@myrurallife_official]

I made a smart trellis, but built it like a clothesline. 2 strands of high tension wire (9 ga I think. What's used for grape vines) and tomahooks. I did lower and lean. I will say that those vines with fruit are heavier that you think and I had to anchor the posts and retighten the wire. The conduit should help with that part, but put your posts a little closer than you think.

[@gailpetchenik3048]

Didn’t have to use an anchor with this technique 👍

[@myrurallife_official]

@@gailpetchenik3048 I had a 50ft run with cherokee purple one side and Moskvich on the other on 1 ft spacing drip. It was intense.

[@jtharp9265]

Great content , I have so many tomatoes & pepper plants also , because I finally learned how to make my own transplants. Thanks to yall ... God bless you 🙏🏻

[@LazyDogFarm]

Congrats on conquering the seed starting process!

[@SparksWilly]

Hey Travis, When exactly do you stop fertilizing your tomatoes?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I don't. Tomatoes like to be spoon fed small rates of fertilizer on a frequent basis.

[@chadstrutzenberg9171]

We can’t do that till the middle of May! 🧐

[@LazyDogFarm]

But you'll still have tomatoes in August and we won't!

[@nikkiholton6318]

Can't wait to see the tomato trellis system. I have been researching this system as well

[@LazyDogFarm]

Fingers crossed!

[@joelhenderson5404]

Travis I plant my plants 6 feet apart because I use concrete wire for my cages. I take 18-46-0 dig a hole between the plants and pore a small soup can full of the fert and it does them all season. They love the 46 for the good roots.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I bet they do!

[@papawsplace]

I'm glad you're trying this new trellis system. I was thinking about trying something similar but not sure at this time. I'm afraid I want be able to keep up with the pruning once things get busy. I don't know when I'll get tomatoes in the ground. The first ones I stated I may need a backhoe to plant them. This weather isn't cooperating again this year.

[@LazyDogFarm]

That's the one advantage to the sandy soils we have. They drain well. We can get an inch of rain and cultivate later that day most times.

[@jonlewis6630]

I am still waiting to plant tomatoes and peppers. I have some ready to go out, but the weather is still up in the air here in Coastal NC, 8a. I think I'll give it another week or so and see.

[@LazyDogFarm]

We've had a lot of predicted bad weather here lately, but all the fronts fizzled by the time they got here. So we've been fortunate.

[@rickthelian2215]

Nice planting hope they are huge tomatoes 😀😀😀

[@LazyDogFarm]

Us too!

[@joshuab738]

I have tried single stemming my tomatos on line here in Northern Alabama last year. I did not notice sun damage, however they slowed down more in midsummer than if I caged them (however, they had less disease than when I cage them). This year I am doing a hybrid version ---- using netting in place of string and letting 2 stems from each plant. I am hoping the extra leaves will protect it a little more this summer.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Keep us updated on whether the changes you make have helped.

[@samprice7786]

That stache though. Im on your team my man. Dont cut it for anyone.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Preciate the stache support Sam!

[@samprice7786]

Hahaha im on your team!

[@markware7748]

The 'Stache is plenty. Shy away from tats and piercings please.

[@kingsjewell]

Did the Tachi tomatoes taste good? I am looking for one that had good production and yet tastes good. Please let me know. Thank you and God bless.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I like tachi and invincible. Both are good tomatoes. The only downside is that they need a really good support system. They don't get very tall (only 4' or so), but they get so loaded that it's hard to keep the shorter plants from leaning.

[@lisareis8117]

I did that trellis technique last year in south Louisiana. I had 24 plants and I was pruning daily. It takes commitment but I was pleased with the results and doing it again this year....only 12 plants this time. No issue with sun scald but mine get shade from noon till 3 so they get a break.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to hear it worked well for you.

[@Farmd427]

I’d recommend 10’ tposts. Instead of conduit, I use chain. The hooks can’t slide. You can use a section of pipe with a T on the end to run the chain through at each post and still complete your rectangle. Only caveat is you would need to anchor the ends. I used 4x4 posts at my last house without supporting, but the tposts required ratchet straps on the ends. Enough skinning cats….

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Stephen. I'm sure we'll be learning as we go here.

[@kevincrane9935]

looking good. can't wait to see the outcome.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Me too!

[@michaelturner2691]

Yeah I may have to do the same thing as many of them as I put in the ground this year. The few plants I put in last year were well over 7 ft tall and I had a time trying to keep them stood up. Can't wait to see you set yours up ☺️

[@LazyDogFarm]

Ours outgrew the cages pretty quickly last year and we had a mess. Hopefully this works better.

[@michaelturner2691]

@@LazyDogFarm me and the wife are throwing around the idea of cutting the tops out after they reach a certain height and wondering if they will still produce 🤔

[@LazyDogFarm]

@@michaelturner2691 They should.

[@lawrencebeeles6738]

I got 72. Tomatoes started been growing in hightunnel ARKANSAS growing vertical no problem with sun burn on fruit do use shadecloth. When are you going to ship fig starts

[@LazyDogFarm]

Waiting on my "fire ant badge" that is required by certain southern states. Can't be importing fire ants across state lines evidently, although there's no fire ants in our seed starting mix. So have to get that cleared and we should be good to go.

[@markbedard6238]

Use shade cloth

[@Mstymntntop]

I haven’t had sun damage before, but I go with dual leaders…Eastern NC. My plants usually die due to disease and am trying to do some grafted ones this year.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for the tips Jeff. Keep us updated on how the grafted ones do for you.

[@markware7748]

It will be interesting to see your "S" hook variant in use. Haven't seen that before. Since your indeterrminate growing season will be a function of heat and humidity, you may choose to pick a point to top the plants to forestall further upward growth and push the ripening process along. Many LDF viewers are concerned with the high wind effect on the trellis system. Another point in favor of an independent ground anchor.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I may try the anchor. Although most of these plants are deep enough that uprooting shouldn't be a huge issue.

[@gailpetchenik3048]

With this system u anchor the string in the ground with a steak. I just used little ones about 1/4” x 6”. Then the plants r clips to the string. The wind doesn’t pull the plants out if the ground with the string anchored Hope this answered ur question

[@KajunHomestead]

👍👍👍

[@Grandma.Lilly.]

Put the name of the tomato on the hook using a “Hanging Plant Tree Tags”. Trust me, I did that last year and it was a great way to ID the plant/tomatoes.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Great idea!

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

I've never heard an argument good enough for pruning tomatoes to actually make it make sense to me... I'm going to plant 5 30ft rows of tomatoes, slicer cherry & plum, idk how many varieties. I thought the string method you are using, you were supposed to "plant" the string under the plant when you planted it???

[@LazyDogFarm]

We've never pruned that much either, but figured it was worth a try at least once. The string hangs freely and the weight of the tomato plant keeps it tight.

[@tomkearns997]

Hi Travis, Good video. I have used this specific trellis system for the last few years and found that the pruning is the hardest task. Keeping up with it is a must or you will have a mess. I used jute one year and found it wasn’t strong enough for the big slicers. I also used short bamboo sticks in the ground to anchor the string coming down from the conduit and then clipped the plant to the string as the tomato grew. Worked great as long as I was diligent with the pruning. Good luck. Will be watching

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Tom. We'll see if we can keep up!

[@carolavant3778]

I'm always amazed at the techniques you come up with. My only concern on that trellis for the indeterminant tomatoes would be how will it stand up to a tropical storm? One of the main reasons I grow determinants is that with a Florida weave, I'd had them stand up to a Cat 1 hurricane!

[@joelhenderson5404]

Hey I built cages out of concrete wire and they are five feet tall. Count out 12 squares cut in the middle to tie back on and drive a tpost beside it wire it up and those indeterminate tomatoes love it. You be happy till frost. I plant mine 6 feet apart and they still come together.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Tomatoes are usually done here prior to the beginning of Hurricane season. But I would imagine high winds would do a number on it just as it does everything else in the garden.

[@susanpayne5592]

Hi Travis! I live in east Central Georgia and our night time temps will be 47 (F), 45, 40 and 41 respectively the next four nights. I don't have a greenhouse and I've brought my seed trays inside every night since I started seedlings the first of February. They include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, zukes and cukes. Can I leave the seedlings outside with these night time temps? .....my back hurts.

[@LazyDogFarm]

They should be fine in the low 40s.

[@diannalucas223]

Travis I have a question that I’m hoping you can help me with. I want to plant sweet potatoes and pumpkins. I have very large pots for each one can I plant them in the same area? Thank you

[@LazyDogFarm]

You can, just know that they're both going to sprawl all over the place.

[@stellasgarden5466]

Great tips!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bigl4765]

Travis have you ever just tied a tight knot at the end of your drip. I tried that last year, seemed to work well. Good stuff tonight!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

I have not, but that's how the commercial farmers around here do it. I guess I like the neater presentation of the fitting, but either seems to work.

[@j3hallway231]

Scott @ Black Gumbo did this last year and I can’t remember that he said anything about sun scald. He’s in the panhandle somewhere? Can’t remember but it gets 🥵. I really want to do this with my indeterminates this year. Hopefully it will happen🤞. Best of luck! 😎

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know!

[@francostacy7675]

Is all drip tape a standard size, meaning will the fittings work with all manu of tape?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yes, the same fittings (as long as they're fittings for 1/2" mainline tubing) will work with any brand of tape.

[@kenriley7159]

What sort of ratio are y'all using running that agro thrive through tape with?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I usually put a cup or two in the 1 gallon injector for a 1,000 sq. ft. plot.

[@pd8559]

Weather just had a throw a wobbly in our way. That thunderstorm dropping lots of tornadoes in Texas should be hitting N.Florida to Central Georgia today? Behind it I’m getting a cold bomb, down to 34 tonight then going up tomorrow night and then back to 40s and 50s overnight.

[@joewilson1457]

I'm in zone 8 b and I'm waiting until Monday to plant tomatoes and peppers because it's going to be 39 degrees this weekend, another good show Have you ever planted artichoke?? I planted some last year and they didn't get killed through the winter and each plant produces three or four artichokes

[@pd8559]

@@joewilson1457 if that was to me not in my new location. I am 8a but what a difference various micro climates make. My Saturday night is 50, Sunday night 59 and Monday night 63. My artichokes experience is in zone 10 and overseas. I didn’t plant this spring as I’m dedicated to conservative planting of white calorie crops root and seed (potatoes, true yams, American yams and Hickory King Dent corn) I don’t smoke but 200+ tobacco in case I need barter. After economy eases I’ll go back to normal plants in the garden. I do have lots of peppers but mine are already out based on prior weather prediction that didn’t pan out. It’s ok I’m breeding landrace collards so every seedling that dies gets planted with a landrace collard from the nursery garden. Think 22 or so varieties all interbred with massive genetic mix distribution - they grow amazing in this weather don’t care if it’s cold or hot.

[@brunsonboy96]

@@pd8559 8a but they are calling for 31 and 34 after the storm rolls through tomorrow

[@Mstymntntop]

Are you still going to use Agrothrive? If not, how come?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yes, we'll be injecting it through our drip system and using it as a foliar spray.

[@caseyarmstrong7064]

Hey Travis, I have tried that with my indeterminate. Is what I found in my area is when I trimmed the suckers and so on and so, kinda like a greenohouse way to do. Is that the tomatoes didn’t have enough shade from the sun, and the tops of my tomatoes stayed green and really tuff. The tomato never ripened all the way. I think it was from the hot sun just beating down on them. But I’m really looking forward to seeing how do. Great video, and maybe some thought on my comment. I just finished your whole video, and yes I had a ton of sun damage. I am in zone 9b

[@LazyDogFarm]

Interesting. Someone mentioned leaving the tops to get bushy to protect the fruits. May try that as the season goes on.

[@KrazyKajun602]

What should be the process for those seedling containers in terms of cleaning them. Just rinse them or should you soak them with water and some clorox to kill any diseases that might be present on them?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I usually just rinse mine with water. But using some type of disinfectant wouldn't be a bad idea.

[@stephanieeschete2515]

Quick question about my pepper plants. I live in Deep South texas and just planted out peppers last week. Their leaves are curling is it bc the temps are a little cooler than they like and can they still bounce back?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I don't think the cool weather would make the leaves curl. It's been cool here the last few nights and I haven't noticed any curling. Not sure why they would be doing that.

[@Justme-sb8mn]

I drop string and single stem but i plant at 16” spacing. I thing you’re gonna like that setup

[@LazyDogFarm]

I sure hope so!

[@Justme-sb8mn]

@@LazyDogFarm did you get compostable clips from Johnny’s? And sisal or hemp twine? Otherwise man it’s a pain in the hiney to clean the mess out of those vines

[@LazyDogFarm]

@@Justme-sb8mn Haven't decided yet. We don't compost our tomato plants. We burn them. So the twine isn't a huge issue.

[@Justme-sb8mn]

@@LazyDogFarm can I ask why you don’t compost tomato plants? Just curious

[@LazyDogFarm]

@@Justme-sb8mn We don't compost anything that's disease prone, otherwise the fungal spores will cause issues for years to come. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, potatoes -- we burn them all.

[@ronaldcummings6337]

Where do you buy drip tape?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Lots of different places online. Here's the stuff we like: www.dripdepot.com/category/drip-irrigation-tape

[@jason_young]

I’ve used aquatraxx and those other two. Can’t say there’s much difference in any of them.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know.

[@saltlifess6226]

I planted 15 tomatoes and it's just me eating them! Lol

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sounds like you'll be eating tomatoes every meal!

[@montfordacreshomestead]

Do you get those horned tomato bugs? I'm in west TN and boy oh boy, they are mean!! How do I get rid of them without getting stabbed?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I'll see one every now and then, but they're really easy to control with organic options like B.t. - amzn.to/3JJ0xkv

[@Daddyo_farms]

Did they survive todays storm?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yeah they were fine. Didn't get too bad here. Had a little wind this morning, but they looked fine this afternoon.

[@bryanbrown9588]

Good luck ordering with seeds n’ such…. I order the BIG Zac back in February and still haven’t received my order and that’s after them supposedly sending it again 2 weeks ago…. 🥴

[@LazyDogFarm]

Uh oh. This year was the first time I've ever ordered from them and we got our order pretty quick. I did find this company that has the Big Zac seeds if you've given up on Seeds n Such: awhaley.com/product/big-zac/

[@stellasgarden5466]

Had the same problem with them for scarlet runner beans 😞

[@gailpetchenik3048]

They much b over loaded. I ordered from them back in January & got my seeds within a week

[@jerrymartens7196]

Thanks Travis! You’re about 8 weeks ahead of me here in Ohio great content as always. You’ve convinced me I’m WAY over doing it think I have almost exactly same area to plant but planning maybe 8 dozen tomatoes and 40 dozen hot and sweet peppers. Yep I’m crazy.

[@LazyDogFarm]

That's going to be a ton of peppers! Hope you've got plenty of folks you can share with!

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

I'm upset Travis! Why are your onions twice the size of mine. I've given mine tons of nitrogen and still yours have outgrown mine. I suspect it's because yours gets direct sunlight and mine only gets about 3 to 5 hrs a day. By April mine will have a lot more sun but they probably won't get caught up before they begin to bulb. Oh well, I have to work with what I have. I'm doing 100% organic this year and the composted chicken manure is great for the nitrogen. Your garden is looking beautiful. Any eggs yet?

[@LazyDogFarm]

We have done 100% organic with our onions too. I was curious as to whether they would still get as big as they normally do. They took a while to get going, but are looking good now. We're getting a few eggs -- 1-2 a day. Not sure which chickens are laying and which aren't though.

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

@@LazyDogFarm I think the pellets probably helped your patch more than you expected. The only problem I have with using them is I don't know what herbicide might have been used growing them. I suppose you could find totally organic pellets somewhere online. It's a bit late for me to worry about that, but it's nice to have the knowledge for future use

[@LazyDogFarm]

@@marysurbanchickengarden Tractor Supply around here has the Standlee Organic pellets that we used on our tomato plot. But we used just some basic FRM pellets on that onion plot with no issues.

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

@@LazyDogFarm thanks Travis I'll check it out 👍