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Dodge city

I was figuring this one out for along time. Does anyone have a feeling that doing it by seed in the seed mixed soil starter or by plants. I've tried both methods I was successful in the first year but year after year was a different result. I tried jiffy peat pellets green houses to growing in pots. And I am now growing them as plants. So what am I doing wrong on the starting by seed part. Is it because of the peat pellets or seed starting mixes. Or is it better off with plants.

1/29/2020 11:58:29 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

If you want to grow tomatoes that are not available in stores you must start with seeds, unless you can get someone like Porkchop to sell you plants.

1/30/2020 9:07:47 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Get hold of Marv's book on growing giant tomatoes. It will have you growing big tomatoes in no time. Wishing you the best.

1/30/2020 9:46:06 AM

Central NY

I’ll second that notion...get the book, learn the book, learn the feeding programs of the pros, grow big-ARSe mater...good luck!!!!....lots of tips here on the message boards as well...(marv- I tossed a half dozen beautiful 5.71’s last spring...I do start extras...wonder if I’ll have any trouble finding homes this year)

1/30/2020 11:34:08 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I am happy to hear all the good comments about my tomato book. I think at the time it was printed it was decent and especially so since little else was written about giant tomatoes. And at that time Minnie Zaccaria was the Queen of tomatoes and a lot of her ideas were in the book along with other distinguished growers at the time. many contributors. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then and lots of new ideas and seeds have become available. At this point, I look at the book as sort of a place to start rather than anything more. I have actually worked on two more books since then but my publisher felt there was not enough interest in books in general and a tomato book in particular. So, those books will never become available. One was an update of book one and the other was about how to do it all organically, at least as far as nutrients are concerned. Time has gone by and lots of change has occurred. Minnie has stopped growing and I have started to slow down. Tomato weights have gone up significantly since the book was written as was predicted by the publisher, Don Langevin and I am appreciative of his help with getting it out there.

1/31/2020 10:22:02 AM

Newcastle, CA

just use ingramspark or lulu press. when someone orders the books they print it that day and send it out to the customer. at the end of the quarter you get a check.

1/31/2020 10:56:57 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

There you go Marv !
An updated version of your book would be cool.
Does that mean Weird Wint gets a finders fee ?

2/1/2020 1:41:00 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

many projects have been put on hold....but Marv knows...he has a site available to him free of charge and without stipulations if he desires it.

http://www.GiantTomatoes.com

I will hold this site until he decides to do something with it...or he is no longer with us. Thanks Marv for your book. I wouldn't have become so interested in tomatoes if it did not exist.

2/1/2020 2:36:24 PM

Central NY

lol...no pressure marv...

2/1/2020 4:35:17 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Bnot: To get a book ready for anyone to read online, I need help from Don Langevin. The thing is I think there needs to be a way to print a copy if that is what a person wants. like to hold a book and turn the pages rather than look at a screen. I am talking to Don about this.

2/1/2020 5:10:34 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Bnot: To get a book ready for anyone to read online, I need help from Don Langevin. The thing is I think there needs to be a way to print a copy if that is what a person wants. like to hold a book and turn the pages rather than look at a screen. I am talking to Don about this.

2/1/2020 5:10:58 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Ugh

2/1/2020 5:11:17 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Marv...updates don't need Don's approval. I am not a website specialist, but if you send me some updates. I will learn how to modify the website to get them up. It might not be fast to begin with but I think I can get it done. I happen to know a few more people that are familiar with website development. I know we have talked about how to get the whole book on the website. Sorry that Don is worried about 500 hard copies. I think I paid more for the website domain than the hard copies are worth. Your knowledge and the ability to present it in a educational friendly way is valuable to all tomato growers. You are valuable Marv...for the future of growing. Lets do this.

2/1/2020 5:29:11 PM

Central NY

Am I seeing a team forming right before my eyes?....

2/1/2020 7:17:02 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Thanks Porkchop. I'm not sure what you are seeing. Bnot, would people be able to print the book free other than the cost of their paper and ink?

2/1/2020 8:06:50 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

porkchop...marv and myself have been a team for a few years...we just have not made much progress due to obscure reasons. I am not going to give up...someone that can write so clearly a decade ago...needs their thoughts on web. No pressure Marv..I think you are great.

2/1/2020 8:08:07 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Marv...I think if it was on a website..someone could print the book....home printers...but it would probably cost more than ordering the book if you take in account printer ink. And the quality would be less. Your printed book has glossy pages and high quality. The information could be available...but the overall quality would be less unless lcd screen was all you read. Your book is a great reference material...but I am more interested in your thoughts a decade later. I am guessing this situation is public for the first time. Whatever you decide Marv..I wil support you.

2/1/2020 8:18:38 PM

Lakewood, WA

It would be great to have access to the updated version, one way or another, Marv! I would like to grow maters sometime in the future so I can join the fun!

2/3/2020 1:43:13 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

So much pressure I may need to take an aspirin of two.

2/4/2020 9:51:44 AM

Newcastle, CA

ingram spark... literally no overhead cost as far as i can recall from the last time i did it for work. you'll need a separate bank account for it and then you just collect when someone buys it. My fiancee's book isnt flying off the shelf but she got a $20 or $30 check last month from people buying it.

2/4/2020 10:27:37 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

There you go Marv !
Wint is really earning that finders fee !
I’ll buy the first copy of the updated version !

2/4/2020 5:44:39 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I talked to Don Langevin today and he wants to work on a new book which he would put out as a Kindle. It will take a while to do. There will be lots more pictures and many more chapters. He is excited to do this. We will see how it works out. There will be a lot of updating to do.

2/5/2020 1:49:01 PM

Central NY

Dibs second copy....

2/5/2020 1:51:42 PM

rochester, IN

That's fantastic to hear Marv!!

2/5/2020 2:53:41 PM