Over five hundred pounds of tomatoes from 32 plants (2012 Crop)

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?XZHCV 16 September 2012 . 214 pounds of tomatoes picked 2,5,9,16 September
A total of 513 pounds of tomatoes was picked from about 32 plants over the season.Average 16 pounds per plant. There are probably another 100 or so pounds remaining if the weather holds with no frost.This is my best year ever for tomatoes.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?BBHDE 2 September 2012 Tomato picked Twelve pounds. Total to date 311 pounds.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?CAXRK 23 August 2012 Tomatoes picked today. Total to date 299 pounds.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?SWRYQ 12 August Tomatoes Collected 50 Pounds Tomatoes Picked today.Total from the 32 plants to date is 284 pounds.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?ACNRH 4 August 2012. Tomatoes Picked today.Twenty four Pounds
Total from the 32 plants to date is 234 pounds.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?BANUP 2 August 2012 Tomatoes picked today. Total form the 32 plants is 210 pounds to date.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?NZTOO 31 July 2012 Tomatoes Picked on 24,29, 31 July.Total 65 Pounds.
Total Picked from the 32 plants so far this season is 186 pounds.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?COHIS 22 July 2012. Tomatoes picked today.
Forty one pounds of tomatoes were picked today from the main tomato patch consisting of 32 plants suspended by ropes, free growing.Fifteen pounds were processed into juice and the remainder was spread amongst neighbours.Total tomatoes from the garden so far this year is 121 pounds.Types are: Bonny Best(5), Celebrity(5), Big Beef(5), Better Boy(5), Black Krim(Purple fruit)(10), and Lemon Boy (2).

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

That is really nice. What are the strings tied to at the top?

 

[Durgan]

The supports were specially made concrete reinforcing six inch mesh screwed on the top of rebar. I threw them out this year and now will use rebar only. The rebar system is shown at the first photo. I added another vertical upright later in the season to eliminate the horizontal bowing in the eight foot span, meaning support every four feet.

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?ZWBJH 12 June 2012 Tomato Support System
A few more cords were added today to support fruit laden branches. The tomatoes are absolutely free growing with no obstructions.There are 32 plants.

Rebar eight feet long about 16 inches into the ground with cross pieces tied with plastic ties. Supported every four feet with uprights. I modified slightly over the season. Very simple to erect. Plant center to center spacing need be about 2.5 to 3 feet to make picking convenient. Rope is cheap 1/8 cotton rope, simply tied. Few of the suckers were removed and were supported as need be throughout the season. Very little maintenance after the plants get large and the fruit is never crowded.

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

Thank you. This will give my husband something to think about for next year.

 

[Durgan]

Thank you. This will give my husband something to think about for next year.

The rebar was painted (Green Tremclad) on a bright sunny day with a brush laid on a plastic sheet to inhibit rust . This only takes a few minutes and rebar rusts in a short time, and is difficult to handle, due to the rust getting on hands and clothes.

 

[baymule]

Wow, that is a LOT of tomatoes!!!!! I think the rebar idea is awesome!!