Growing organic tomatoes

[Southernmost]

Anyone have tips on what to use against the aphids, spider mites , etc? Im figuring for the lil fire ants I can use the barrier poison around the plants.

[leilanidude]

Grow them in a greenhouse with a raised bed, preferably a couple feet elevated from the ground. Way too many things attack them to attempt outside growing and tomato plants don't like to be rained on either.

[Southernmost]

Thanks for replying Leilani dude. Going to work on that, again mahalo

[djs]

Spray soapy water on plants. Use mild dish soap or Dr. Bronners. Use about 1 tsp per quart of water. Neem oil works really well too.

[leilaniguy]

I've had good luck so far growing them in pots on a second story deck. Every one I planted in the ground was eaten by slugs within a day or two. Soapy water works well for aphids and mealybugs.

[Southernmost]

Thanks for replies, I've used soapy water but I think the spider mites(?) still survive. Going try to get some of that gold neem oil. lol 83.00 a jug is kinda expensive for me but if it works I think it would be worth it if I can grow enough food.

Slugs scare the crap out of me, we only had the huge one with shell in Ka'u but they were rare so no slugs. Raised beds or pots seems best maybe with a pile of salt around the legs? lol

[Hawaii Bound]

I'm not too sure how well salt would do with the moisture but crushed egg shells do wonders. They are like little razor blades to the slimy #&@$%&*!

[cinnaminnacat]

Try a copper tape surround. Slugs and snail don't want to crawl across it. Sluggo bait also gets slugs and snails. Ok around kids and pets.

For soft bodied insects, insecticidal soap is useful. (This is not quite the same thing formulation as ordinary dish washing soap.)

Of course, pyrethrums are useful.

For worms, bt may or may not work for you. It was the standard of control for many years, but resistance has developed in some areas.

For powdery mildew and root rot, there are several organic methods that can help. If you get root rot started, destroy the infected plants and soil. It's contagious.

Expect to monitor daily and treat often since these have little or no residual activity.

Also, you need to use "clean" soil, ie soil that does not harbor diseases and pets. And this soil must be "sanitized" with each planting, ie, maintained clean.


If you want to be "certified" organic, make sure that any items you use (fertilizer, pest control, etc.) is also certified for organic use.

The very best tasting tomatoes are organically grown with heirloom varieties. It does take know how and vigilance, however. It's not a "free gift of nature".

All the best on this worthy endeavor.

[leilanidude]

I second the copper tape - Home Depot sells it. You can also use copper wire stripped out from old wiring. Wrap loosely around legs of raised bed so they can't get by without crawling over it.
I had decent luck with cheery/grape tomatoes. They seem to ripen so fast, the fruit flies don't have a chance to get them. Also, rats/mice can be a problem.
Sure, everything seems to grow here, but at the same time, everything attacks it.

[shockwave rider]

You can kill slugs by putting out dishes of beer. I used plastic pop bottles with side "windows" cut out so the slugs could crawl in but the top of the bottle kept the rain from diluting the beer. Within a day or so they would be full of dead slugs.