MY BOOK: Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy - Signed, personalized copies available at calikimgardenandhome.com/books/organic-gardening-for-everyone/. CaliKim Seed Collections and CaliKim Smart Pots: calikimgardenandhome.com Good Dirt Indoor Potting Mix: good-dirt.com 10% off with code “calikim10” Smart Pots containers (excluding CK Smart Pots): 10% off w/ code “calikim” at smartpots.com Vermisterra Worm Castings, Worm Tea: 10% off w/ code “calikim” at vermisterra.com As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases: Amazon search page: amzn.to/3897OqD Seed starting supplies: amzn.to/30kbmDG Garden fertilizers:amzn.to/2uQkhBh Garden disease and pest control: amzn.to/2FMw6L7 Grow Lights: amzn.to/2NlY5FB Garden Tools: amzn.to/2RiwRRq Amazon lawn & garden supplies: amzn.to/30kFe2Z What do you like to fertilize your tomatoes with? Thanks for watching!
Great ideas. One of my tricks is powdered milk. Watering tomatoes and peppers with it every couple of weeks makes for very strong plants and a great harvest.
First time I've seen your videos, thanks! I use Epsom salts in the holes @ planting time of my tomatoes, but did not know to water with it as well. I also use liquid fish emulsion and will try adding the Epsom salts to it. I've been gardening for 30+years and here is the best trick I've been using for last 5 years. At the hole prior to planting I add approx. 1/4 cup of a mixture of dried, crushed eggshells and dried banana skins, chopped. Starting in March I save all eggshells, rinse and dry in a low oven for 10-15 minutes. Banana skins are laid out to dry o. A screen in my garden shed window, then chopped up on a cutting board and added to the egg shells. A scoop of this mixture plus Epsom salts in the bottom of each hole really helps. The roots reach out to this mixture ad they grow. It helps prevent blossom end rot which we get in humid, New England (Vermont) weather. I grow 10 varieties of tomatoes at least each year, started under plant lights, about half are heirlooms, and this effort is worth it. Regarding the pick-me-up drenching with liquid fish emulsion, be careful if you live in an open environment. I couldn't help but notice your yard looks to be enclosed. More critters love the fishy smell than just cats and dogs. Skunks were a problem when I first started using this...it definitely attracts wildlife who will dig in the soil near the plants thinking something good to eat is buried! Once ,y plants are bigger, with cages and/or stakes I don't care, but when young, can get damaged by misc. digging! Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
Your tomatoes will love the fish emulsion and epsom salts. We haven't used any store-bought fertilizers for the past several years - just compost, worm castings, crushed egg shells, comfrey, used coffee grounds, and more free stuff.
You are a great example of resourcefulness in the garden! I've been hearing more and more about the benefits of comfrey - will have to get me some! Thanks for stopping by!
I really appreciate you taking time to give us amateurs this information. My wife will appreciate this when I give it to her. She has been trying to grow big tomatoes with no success. Thanks again
Hi Robert - You are welcome! This is such an easy method, and it has really helped me. I hope it does the same for you - please keep me posted! Thx for watching!
You and your husband make a great team for this gardening project. Your information is very concise and informative. Your husband is an outstanding camera man - the picture and SOUND qualities are very professional! Thank you!
Hi Kim! I have never heard of using Epsom Salt for fertilizing plants, and I can't wait to try it. I told my husband that I am having a CaliKim29 marathon today, as I enjoy hearing your soothing voice while learning more about gardening. You are also absolutely beautiful, on top of having a great sense of humor! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Nancy in OHIO
ngosztyla Hi Nancy - thx for the positive feedback and compliments! I love using epsom salts, it really works, wait til you try it! So glad you are enjoying the videos, hope it is helping you grow more of your own food too! Thx for stopping by!
Another great post Kim! note:We go out to the hen house and scoop up some saw dust mixed with chicken manure and dress along the top soil of our plants and lightly scratch the mix into the surface. Produces the best tasting Cherokee purple tomatoes this side of the Mississippi. Just told "camera gal" here at home the other day that we need to start using Epsom salt in our garden. Thanks for the tip. Have a wonderful day! Your fan Dennis!
Hi there Dennis - great tips ! Wish we could have chickens here, but no go. Esp. since I am growing cherokee purples for the first time this year. You will love the ease and cost of epsom, not to mention what it does to your garden. Its my go to fertilizer all year round. You have a great day too, and thanks for watching!
Hi! I just started watching your videos on growing tomatoes. I recently got the Topsey Turvey vegetable grower, but have to wait til next year to try it. I've never tried to grow anything myself, that's why I came looking to find out how. My mom used to always grow tomatoes when I was around 10, and she had a friend over once, and she asked my mom how many years does it take for a tomato plant to grow tomatoes, because she has had the same plant for 4 years and haven;t gotten any yet. My mom said she should have had tomatoes after 2 months or so, and asked her what she has been doing. She said all she has been doing is watering and fertilizing her bushes, and pulling off the flowers when they come out... and my mom burst out laughing and told her that those flowers she keeps removing ARE the tomatoes she's been trying to grow for 4 years. hats about the funniest story about growing tomatoes that I ever heard. I don't know what happened after that, that was about 40 years ago, but I thought you might get a kick out of that!
Tomk215 ha, ha! That poor woman! Hopefully she got a great harvest out of her 4 year old tomato plant once she figured it out! What do you want to try to grow first?
It's good that you mention about dogs and cats getting into fish fertilizer. My dog chewed the top off the bottle and licked up about half a bottles worth. There didn't seem to be any adverse effect from that. Also, I have caught him rolling around in my garden looking all frisky, like a cat to catnip after watering with this mixture. They may even be inclined to dig and sniff, which can damage plants. That said, the plants seem to like it as much as the dogs.
I live in Germany and tried to buy fish fertilizer today. I was informed it was no longer offered, due to some law passed. So I went to the Chinese grocery store and bought me some dried fish bits. I think I can aproximate the right amount for sucess. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks, I just now pulled the Epsom Salt from beneath the bathroom sink for use tomorrow. I've got the Fish Fertilizer & Kelp variety which is also very good; this is first year using it - my plants look very good as of today, June 17, 2014. You make a great presentation, pleasure watching.
We are trying something a little different this year (something I saw online), and planted the tomatoes with a cup of bone meal and a cup of ag.lime in each planting hole. Planted them around 40G garbage cans (with holes drilled at the base all around, and then buried the cans about 12" into the ground). Filled the cans with a scoop or two of composted steer manure, and water inside the cans twice to three times a week. The plants LOVE the compost tea, I added fish fertilizer in the beginning to the soil around the cans near the plants, and so far, only 3 weeks in, we're seeing massive growth (4X faster than years past doing it my old way). Hoping the production continues! Good to know about the Epsom salts, I use it all around the house but never thought about the garden!
We are in Wisconsin so our tomato plants aren't in the ground yet but we did just pick up some fish emulsion! We also saved,baked and crushed egg shells and picked up coffee grounds from a local coffee shop :) My son and I really enjoy watching your videos and I frequently share them in my fb seed group :) Blessings to you!!
Hi Melissa - Sounds like you have a recipe for some wonderful tomato plants, hopefully soon in the ground. Thanks so much for sharing my videos - really appreciate it! Have a great day and many blessings to you too!
As I mentioned earlier I love your videos... I planted 4 tomato plants for just my wife and I... I have so many tomatoes I have to give some to neighbors because we can't eat them all...I average about 12 large tomatoes a week 😊
Yes it is getting warmer in Australia! I have used Fish in he past but Epsom Salt not as yet. You learn every day and can not wait till two or 3 more weeks and give this a run. You make a wonderful show and teach so well, excellent! Richard
Great video Kim, I just planted my garden here in LA ahead of the last storm. Tomatoes are next, but put in corn, squashes and sweet onions. Starbucks grounds, Epsom salts and mulch, but as the season goes on, will do the sprays and fish oils. Good video
I watch all your vids and they are great! I live in VA and it will be a while before gardening season starts .I also started a worm bin and also want to use the worm (poop) and I've learned that it's the best for gardening .Please keep up the videos ,your pal from VA...................David
didn't realize how small your yard was! coming from the east coast. amazing what you can do with smaller area. i'm new to your channel but really enjoy all that I've seen so far. thanks so much!!
+dave hogan Glad you are enjoying it, Dave! I'm sure yards are quite large there on the east coast! Yards can be tiny here, believe it or not, ours is huge compared to most folks! Do you have a garden?
+CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY If you want to get rid of the smell of fish fertilizer take some of your fish waste add equal amount of jaggery or unrefined sugar to it.keep it for 40 days in a closed container opening it to stir onc a day.You get the same benefit without the smell.remember to make the fish into itsy-bitsy pieces
Thank you so much for these videos! I am growing tomatoes in pails, and am using miracle grow, which makes the plant grow like crazy, but as you show in this video, too much nitrogen. So thanks for the Epsom salt idea, we will be getting some tonight! And don't listen to the critical remarks about your use of 2 cameras, it adds to the production value! Good work, we will be watching more!
Great video. I have just applied Epsom Salt 2 days ago to all of my vegetable such as tomatoes, beets, carrots, and as well as rose. Hope to see good result. My next experiment is to apply to lawn. Do you have any video you spreading Epsom Slt to lawn? Thank you.
Hi, love your videos! first started watching your watermelon vids. your series helped a lot, they will go outside next month. My tomato plant is well established & flowering but didn't know what to feed it.....HOORAY- you had the answer. Thanks a bunch. happy gardening!!
Hey Kim, thanks for breaking down the proportion of fish fertilizer vs epsom salt. I just planted two Early Girl's in two containers. You saved me with your video on pulling off lower leaves of plant and raising the dirt level to the point where the "cut" was made. I didn't do this so ran out to make my plants look like yours. I appreciate your patient guidance for us beginners. You can laugh at this, I do, just because I am Asian doesn't mean I was born with gene to grow stuff, right ?! ;)
I am using fish emulsion this year as well. I put a lot of Epson salt down when planting and mix in the soil. The stuff is pretty good fertilizer. To me the smell reminds of going to a lake dock. Thanks for the tip.
this is so very useful! i already fertilized the area i'm going to transplant my tomatoes to...but i'll keep this in mind later in the year when it's time to re-fertilize. oh and so far 6 of my hand-fertilized cucumbers are getting big! and i hand fertilized four bloomed watermelon this morning. no bees are showing up yet so i gotta do all the work for pollination haha. but yayyy looks like i might have some cukes and watermelon on the way!!
Glad you found it useful! Its so simple and really does wonders. Congrats on the watermelon blossoms! Hope your hand pollinating is successful! Its really fun to watch those watermelon grow once the fruit come on.
another great video from your beautiful garden. Love the info, and I am glad to see you coming back to old videos that had unanswered questions. I plan to do that later as well. Isn't that the case that when you film them you think there won't be any questions, and those are the videos that have the most. haha Take care kim and have a lovely week.
Yes, and there are always things that I think of later that I should have said, or forgot to say. Hope you are wrapping up your year at college and are soon able to spend the time in your garden that you would like to! Thanks for watching!
I was wondering if prune your tomatoes. I have pruned half of my tomatoes and left the other half alone. I have learned alot from all your video and apprecaite the tips you have given me on gardening and cooking. If it ever stops raining here in Arkansas, I am going to try your fertilizer tips from this video. My friend told me it worked Great!
I start the season out with good intentions to prune, but never can keep up with it as the season progresses. Just let them grow wild and all over. I always have a huge crop - so I wonder if pruning really matters or not. Let me know if you see a difference! Good luck with the fertilizer!
CALI YOU ARE RIGHT DOGS LOVE THIS STUFF MY DOG NEVER BOTHERS MY STUFF BUT SHE WAS DIGGING HOLES AND ATE A TOMATO PLANT AND ATE THE TOPS OF MY WATERMELON PLANTS I ADDED SOME MORE FISH FERTILIZER AND THEY ARE GROWING BACK I HAD FORGOT ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND WAS WONDERING WHY SHE WAS DOING THIS MY SISTER SAID DOGS LOVE FISH AND MY MEMORY CAME BACK TO THIS VIDEO THANKS FOR INFORMATION I WILL UPDATE ON MY PROGRESS PROGESSSO FAR SO GOOD I ALSO USED COW MANURE SOIL AND CHICKEN MANURE IN A BAG THAT I BOUGHT AT WALMART
We are going to try this. It sure would be nice to replace those wire plant cages behind you in this video. You can build your own with Qubits. Colorful and strong when you secure them together with 4" zip ties. They last for years, mine are three years old.
Sheep pellets also work really well also instead of fish fertilizer. I have set up a header tank in my glasshouse that feeds back into my drip irrigation system. I pour liquid fertilizer into the tank, the water system is timed, it takes 45 mins to fill the header tank, when it shuts off gravity feeds my plants the fertilizer. I do this about once every 3 weeks it works great and I get bumper crops, here in NZ
I just bought 3 improved parkers whoppers and a big boy. Got them 4 for 10 bucks. I had no ideal tomato plants got that big! I had just watched your video where your early girl had gotten so large. I made me go out to get some seeds but ended up with my 4 potted tomatoes. Looking forward to the summer and fresh tomatos! Gonna make a killer BLT. Plus I'm gonna try the fish fert and some Epsom salts too.. Thanks for the video.... Nice work
+Mike Phillips Great buy on the tomato plants, Mike! Those BLTs with homegrown toms are the bomb! Early Girl is so prolific and is still going strong - thanks for watching!
I always thought fertilizing my garden plants was out of my budget ~ I guess I was wrong! We have had the problem of yellowing & wilting on the bottom parts of our tomato plants for the past few years. I will *definitely* be using your tomato planting hole recipe and this fertilizer this year. We're in MI, having a cold night tonight - down to about 32 degrees! - but we'll be planting in just a few short weeks. Thanks for all of these wonderful videos, tips, and ideas!!
Thanks Kim, I just planted three tomato plants yesterday evening and sprinkled some epsom salts on top of the soil and then watered it in. I first heard about Epsom Salts from one of your earlier videos and it's nice to know that you use it on most of your garden not just tomatoes. I really appreciate your help and advice, I'm such a rookie at all this and keep learning everyday. I use the Fish Emulsion inside my grow room, yeah it stinks, but it really does work. Since we live in the wilds of Montana I'm reluctant to use it outside---we have enough critters walking around as it is and I don't want to attract any more. ;) Hey, there isn't a bit of snow in sight----how about that, May 17th and we're finally snow free. BTW: Your videos are very well done, professional looking with excellent quality audio and video. Keep up the good work! Wayne
Hi Wayne - so glad to hear that there is no snow there - I think spring is on the way for your ! Yes, the animals do love the fish fert, you may have to be careful there! Glad to hear your toms are thriving and thx for the compliment on the videos, will pass that along to CG - he will be thrilled to hear it. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!
Thanks for explaining in such a simple, easy to understand way. I planted some heirloom tomato plants in early June (a very late start), and now it looks like the tomatoes won't have enough time to ripen (they are all still green on the vine). On hindsight, I think I have not watered enough (the soaking hose leaves many spots dry) and not fertilized enough. I did not know what fertilizer to use so I applied fish fertilizer once in a while. Now armed with fresh knowledge (thanks to you!), I am sure I will do a better job next year!
Thanks for sharing the video Kim. I appreciate the helpful hints. My tomatoes are not growing as fast as I had hoped. So, I will try your secret recipe. Your videos always make me homesick for SoCal.
Tomatoes are heavy eaters. They do best when planted deep so they can make LOTS of roots. I also feed my tomatoes with the fish emulsion and epsom salts but I water the entire plant, including the leaves. I also heat the egg shells for 1 minute in the microwave and then grind them to powder in an old spice / coffee grinder and put that on my tomatoes, peppers, squashes, etc. The calcium in the egg shells helps prevent blossom end rot. It also helps the tomatoes to not split. I also put coffee grounds around my plants. Try it. They'll like it !
Hello again Kim, forgot to ask about fertilizing cantaloupe and watermelon, what’s the best fertilizer to feed them? I did feed my entire garden fish emulsion last week, should I feed my entire garden again (which also included a blueberry bush and a kiwi bush. All my fruit and vegetables are planted in grow bags). Thanks again!
Was searching tomato planting videos and found this one. Never tried the epsom salt, but my family has traditionally just used actual fish (or parts) planted in the bottom of the holes before setting the plant. I always liked to use non-native "trash" fish like carp. After the plant gets going, it finds the fish, feeds from it and really takes off. Also gives an excuse to go fishing or bowfishing.
I don't do much different. I have an organic fertilizer that I have from a local nursury that has worm casting, bone meal and a lot of other ingredients. I use the Fish emulsion the first week of every month. I add the ebsom salt with the fertilizer and if the leaves get yellow, I just spray the leaves with a water/ebsom salt mix. Seems to be working this season.
Sounds like you have great methods that work well in your garden! The fun thing about gardening is the ability to utilize techniques that are effective for your garden and your growing zone. Have you checked out the Gardening Coast2Coast FB group? You can find it here: facebook.com/groups/1896995967235016/ I love the way that our group members are sharing tips and info on that page that is of value to specific growing zones- come on over and check it out! Thanks so much for watching!
This year I am trying seaweed. It reminds me of fish fertilizer because it stinks too! With these high temps, I am keeping my plants well watered but some are not looking too good so I gave them some. :)
Thanks for this, tomatoes are going to be one of the first vegetables I'm going to plant. I'm looking forward to constructing some raised gardens and getting in to it. Used a similar fish fertiliser this morning on my newly constructed herb garden(1 month in). Interesting about the epsom salts.
vanguardau The herbs will respond beautifully to the fish fertilizer! Perfect for them, as you want lots of green growth with those herbs! Enjoy picking out your tomato seeds, there are so many fun varieties to choose from! They love the epsom salts too, as does everything in my garden!
Learned something new from you. I am going to try this time.I learn new things from people.I had less success in tomatoes so far but hope this time it works.My tomatoes flowers falls always .Do have any suggestions for that.
Urvesh Patel glad you learned something here - we all learn from each other! Blossom drop is a sign of stress in the plant and can have a number of causes. Too hot, or too cold, or lack or pollination, or even watering issues. Good luck and thx for watching!
I love watching your videos your explanations are well explained and your tips are great,I've done your strawberry tower,which I seen from the other guy that works well and I can move it anywhere the sun is which I already did. I'm doing the Epsom salt this year trying that,I'm growing a lot of things in my small garden because of you,fitting things everywhere...hope it all works out.. I'll let you know Monica
The dog came over as soon as she said lol! I made a batch of super soil and ALL of the nearby cats just swarmed around me like woah. Something in those organic smells gets to them.
Hey Kim...have you ever heard of or tried powdered milk in your Tomato planting holes before setting your plants...it's high in calcium which does two things basically...wards off blight and keeps tomatoes from splitting while growing...have a good day,night whatever the case ;)
Hi Mike - yes, I have heard of that, and did it the first year I planted tomatoes, it worked great too! I now add egg shells for calcium, since I have those readily available and they are FREE! Have a great day!
I use fish fertalizer on roses, they love it...You need to make fertilizer tea...Get steer manure from store. Put a couple of hand fulls and Epson salts and maybe fish emulsion in a5 gallon bucket and fill with water and let steep for a couple of days then a couple of cup fulls per plant every third day. a little calcium also for tomatoes !!
hi kim, you mentioned you don't have a fertilizer attachment on your drip system.. however, there is something even better! check out HOSE END SPRAYERS, basically a hose nozzle with a small clear container that you add your fertilizer and adjust the dial to how many oz. per gallon you want to apply, you can spray all your plants quickly and easily hope this helps
+ Dawna i think you meant to ask Carol Blaser about rinsing? i can only guess but since she is putting old egg shells in her oven, she doesn't want any egg left in them??? i'm a newbie to all this :>0
Thanks for sharing I have thought about using fish stuff. Probably great for micro organisms. I use gypsum, rock dust, epsum salt, and 13-13-13 at planting time. Then feed every couple weeks with MG tomato food until the plants get some size. Once flowering starts good I switch over to super bloom stuff from MG. I like MG because has much more then just NPK which plants need.
That watering can is a true beauty! I saw one of your vids in which you said that your spading fork was your favorite garden tool. That watering can MUST be a close second. I have added epsom salt around roses with success...never tomatoes. I am going to try this. Thanks for the tip! The "DOG" came on camera in perfect time to smell the emulsion. What a ham!
Hi Wesley - glad its working for you too! Hopefully we both have a great crop soon. Glad you are enjoying the videos and I really appreciate you watching them and commenting!
When you plant the tomato plants in a deep hole, you should put a couple cups of AZOMITE (rock dust) 76 minerals (A to Z Of Minerals Including Trace Elements) + a hand full of crushed, sterilized, pelletized, oyster shell for chickens or egg shells that hace been dried at 200 degrees (10 minutes) in an oven, then pulverized in an old blender, + 2 Tablespoons of Epsom Salts, mix with dirt in bottom of the hole gives them all the rare minerals they might need to fight disease then I put a little Peat Moss to hold water 2 cups so roots grow into nutrients. I have friends saving egg shells, and if you can talk a restraunt to save them and get them daily for a week, it will meet your needs, but keep in mind they have health codes they have to comply with that is why I use Oyster shell for Chickens it is cheap and if stored properly breaks down easily, will last several years fights blossom end rot. I do have a SECRET ingredient composted chicken Manure and bedding, my Nitrogen that I work into the whole garden and a very large crop of worms due to compost and large amt. of leaves I rototill in the fall, as they store trace elements in the leaves from deep in the earth, but need to watch your Ph. some leaves are kind of acid, maple leaves are sweet and my favorite.
+Shajuan Cook Hello Shajuan - quick and simple is how I roll, then I will do it! Yay for first time gardeners - have you been able to get started yet? Make sure to watch the $10 Garden Series for quick, simple and inexpensive ways to start your garden - lots here: ruclips.net/p/PLH4z_9MDD00Lion_2NWKsyvPWLezSQ4-v. And keep me posted!
On one of your videos, I mentioned something about burying fish and crawdad heads in the garden. Here is another great free fertilizer tip that I have used for years and the plants will grow like they are on steroids. It's so simple. Aquarium water. If you have an aquarium like I used to, whenever I changed the water, I would siphon it into an empty Tidy Cat litter bucket with the snap on lid. Now that I don't have any aquariums, a couple of my friends do, so I leave a couple of clean Tidy Cat buckets at their house to save the water for me when they clean their tanks. The best part, it's free!!!! If you don't have an aquarium or your friends don't, ask some neighbors or you can check in your area to see if there are any companies the service commercial aquariums like you find in office buildings.
Hi Kim. Great information here! I am looking for 'how to' guidance in growing tomatoes in CONTAINERS. Any wisdom you can share would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Kim. I've just discovered this video. I'm really grateful for the advice, thanks! Question for you/anyone who reads this and knows the answer: Does this same fertilising mix apply to container gardens? Or should container gardeners supplement with some other ferts throughout the season? Thanks!
Kim - I may have missed it in your video but when you mix 2 (approx) tablespoons of epsom salts into your watering can I would like to know the following: 1) is your watering can about 2 gallons and if not what is the capacity?; 2) How much of the watering can do you use for each tomato plant?; 3) How often do you use this mixture for each tomato plant? (i.e. once per week, twice per week, etc)
Yes, my watering can is around 2 gallons. No rocket science to it, just water till you think the tomato plant is saturated, I usually water with epsom salts every two weeks or so. As per the video, I use the fish fert in the beginning of the season only. Thx for watching!
I've been using this on my 'maters, but they weren't doing too well. I added in some seaweed and those things are really shooting up! Thought I'd mention because you said you were having trouble with some of your 'maters. This is my first year planting them in the plot they're in and we probably didn't prepare the ground as well as we should have. I did put epsom, manure and fish fert in the planting holes, and was side dressing with it, but they still weren't doing much. I side dressed with all of those plus the seaweed and they are now really taking off and making lots of flowers. (I tried the seaweed out on a couple of plain old weeds and the weed I gave the seaweed to is really shooting up still even two weeks later, while the one that didn't get it is dying, no doubt due to our hot sun here. I had no idea it would make that much difference, but it really seems to.) I've also found that, with my containers plants, spraying with Neem & soap stops spider mites and other little leaf eaters absolutely cold, but lady bugs seem to be unaffected. Thanks for the great vids; you are so natural and easy to listen to and you always have such great advice. :-)
LL Mcbee Glad to hear you got it dialed in for your tomatoes! That's what I love about gardening, you get to try different things to see what works for you! Looks like I may need to add seaweed to my garden regime - I think it is fairly inexpensive too, isn't it? I And how cool that you did an experiment with the weeds too - great idea and I bet that was interesting to see. Thanks for watching my videos and sharing all your great tips. Glad you are enjoying the channel, I love to hear the feedback, really keeps me motivated too!
I use epsom salt and rabbit poo on my plants last year, I got a pet rabbit for my son just for the droppings. I might try the fish stuff this year. Thanks for the video
Hi RookieGardenGirl! Good idea about the rabbit - might just look into that. Do you keep the rabbit caged so it doesn't eat your plants? This fish fert works great - let me know how your plants like it!
CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY I have a hutch with run, so he gets some space with out getting in to the beds. But it gets crazy cold in the winters, -50 some nights so we also have a indoor care for the winter. I will let you know about the fish... take care:)
Great vid. I've been fertilizing with fish and Epsom for years. I also mix one tablespoon of sodium nitrate per gallon and slowly pour it over the foliage every 12 to 15 days. I've 10 plants in 5 gallon buckets this year, 2 or 3 gallons is sufficient.
I accidentally got some on the leaves during transplant and it burnt the leaves. Fish emulsion fertilizer is strong to newbies. I'll let them get a little bigger before I add the fish fertilizer. Its amazing what Epsom salt and fish emulsion combined can do. My roma tomatoes been in the ground almost 2 months I counted almost 40 tomatoes on a single plant. 2tbs of ground egg shells with 2tbs of white vinegar mix with 1 gallon of water is a great way of calcium boost. Just ground egg shell takes too long to break down to feed the plants. You want it to take to roots right away.
Thanks for the tip on the calcium. Can you tell me how often to apply the calcium mixture to the tomatoes? Would this also work for my peppers? I'm new to backyard gardening and I'm enjoying it so much with my kids!
It is Idaho ( God's country) I have used early girls for several years. They are the perfect size for tomato sandwiches. and they are early because od the short growing season here !!
love your videos. Learning alot. No it's not getting warm yet where I am in Nova Scotia Canada...end of April and I saw hail today ;( Can't put anything out in the greenhouse yet still too cold. We have a very short grow season here
Thanks Calikim29 nice informative video. Do you ever try to the fish and seaweed mixture, I use that and it's awesome as the seaweed contains a lot of the trace minerals. I better get out there and fertilize my Tomatoes as I am getting them ready to sell to the parents at the school. Enjoyed the video! Happy Gardening Marty Ware
Never mixed it with the seaweed - but I know those trace minerals are important. How are the tomato sales shaping up for you? Good luck! Thanks for sharing.
I didn't use epsom salt too much last year but this year it seems like I've used it for everything! Thanks for the great video! Too bad fish emulsion is sooo stinky!
Hi CC - Its my go to fertilizer these days too! That fish emulsion is stinky - but it works great. Might be tough on your balcony, though - I"m sure the smell would filter into your house! ha,ha!
Charm City Balcony Garden yes, you want to keep them away. So far they are leaving the garden alone, but then again there isn't much to eat yet. We'll see how it goes! Happy gardening!
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What do you like to fertilize your tomatoes with? Thanks for watching!
CaliKim29 Garden
Very good information
Great ideas. One of my tricks is powdered milk. Watering tomatoes and peppers with it every couple of weeks makes for very strong plants and a great harvest.
I have used the fish emulsion To fertilize my Tomato plants for years& it really works!! It is great for Houseplants & Rose bushes too.
Judy, this is awesome, I always say to experiment! PERFECT EXAMPLE! Made my day! Kim
First time I've seen your videos, thanks! I use Epsom salts in the holes @ planting time of my tomatoes, but did not know to water with it as well. I also use liquid fish emulsion and will try adding the Epsom salts to it. I've been gardening for 30+years and here is the best trick I've been using for last 5 years. At the hole prior to planting I add approx. 1/4 cup of a mixture of dried, crushed eggshells and dried banana skins, chopped. Starting in March I save all eggshells, rinse and dry in a low oven for 10-15 minutes. Banana skins are laid out to dry o. A screen in my garden shed window, then chopped up on a cutting board and added to the egg shells. A scoop of this mixture plus Epsom salts in the bottom of each hole really helps. The roots reach out to this mixture ad they grow. It helps prevent blossom end rot which we get in humid, New England (Vermont) weather. I grow 10 varieties of tomatoes at least each year, started under plant lights, about half are heirlooms, and this effort is worth it. Regarding the pick-me-up drenching with liquid fish emulsion, be careful if you live in an open environment. I couldn't help but notice your yard looks to be enclosed. More critters love the fishy smell than just cats and dogs. Skunks were a problem when I first started using this...it definitely attracts wildlife who will dig in the soil near the plants thinking something good to eat is buried! Once ,y plants are bigger, with cages and/or stakes I don't care, but when young, can get damaged by misc. digging! Look forward to seeing more of your videos!
I will try the Epson salt too that you
Do you plant seed or plant? Just for tomatoes or other vegetables?
Just what I was saying, great stuff but the critters sure love it too..
Why do the egg shells need to be baked/dried? I can see not using fresh ones that will attract wildlife, but why do you put them in the oven?
You don’t add coffee grounds as well? yes bananas and egg shells
Your tomatoes will love the fish emulsion and epsom salts. We haven't used any store-bought fertilizers for the past several years - just compost, worm castings, crushed egg shells, comfrey, used coffee grounds, and more free stuff.
You are a great example of resourcefulness in the garden! I've been hearing more and more about the benefits of comfrey - will have to get me some! Thanks for stopping by!
Can ypu show us the tomatoes at tge end of the season please
I’ve been watching you for so long that I assumed I was subscribed! Thank you for always giving relaxing and practical advice
I used your fertilizing recipe this year. It was my best year for tomatoes and zucchini. Thanks for making it so simple for us newbies.
I really appreciate you taking time to give us amateurs this information. My wife will appreciate this when I give it to her. She has been trying to grow big tomatoes with no success. Thanks again
Hi Robert - You are welcome! This is such an easy method, and it has really helped me. I hope it does the same for you - please keep me posted! Thx for watching!
You and your husband make a great team for this gardening project. Your information is very concise and informative. Your husband is an outstanding camera man - the picture and SOUND qualities are very professional! Thank you!
Thanks, Khang, glad the info is helpful. Will pass this on to him as well. Thanks for watching!
I find mushroom compost to work really well.
After watching this video , I tried what you suggested, amazing results , thank you
how often you water them with solution?
Nice Kim. I do the same general mix. You beat me to the video punch. Epsom Salts is great to use on cucumbers too.
Hi Gary! I use it on everything - it is a great all around fertilizer!
Your videos are the most informative I've seen yet. Everything seems down to earth, needing nothing exotic or
expensive. Thanks.
Hi Kim! I have never heard of using Epsom Salt for fertilizing plants, and I can't wait to try it. I told my husband that I am having a CaliKim29 marathon today, as I enjoy hearing your soothing voice while learning more about gardening. You are also absolutely beautiful, on top of having a great sense of humor! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Nancy in OHIO
ngosztyla Hi Nancy - thx for the positive feedback and compliments! I love using epsom salts, it really works, wait til you try it! So glad you are enjoying the videos, hope it is helping you grow more of your own food too! Thx for stopping by!
Another great post Kim!
note:We go out to the hen house and scoop up some saw dust mixed with chicken manure and dress along the top soil of our plants and lightly scratch the mix into the surface. Produces the best tasting Cherokee purple tomatoes this side of the Mississippi. Just told "camera gal" here at home the other day that we need to start using Epsom salt in our garden. Thanks for the tip. Have a wonderful day!
Your fan
Dennis!
Hi there Dennis - great tips ! Wish we could have chickens here, but no go. Esp. since I am growing cherokee purples for the first time this year. You will love the ease and cost of epsom, not to mention what it does to your garden. Its my go to fertilizer all year round. You have a great day too, and thanks for watching!
Hi! I just started watching your videos on growing tomatoes. I recently got the Topsey Turvey vegetable grower, but have to wait til next year to try it. I've never tried to grow anything myself, that's why I came looking to find out how. My mom used to always grow tomatoes when I was around 10, and she had a friend over once, and she asked my mom how many years does it take for a tomato plant to grow tomatoes, because she has had the same plant for 4 years and haven;t gotten any yet. My mom said she should have had tomatoes after 2 months or so, and asked her what she has been doing. She said all she has been doing is watering and fertilizing her bushes, and pulling off the flowers when they come out... and my mom burst out laughing and told her that those flowers she keeps removing ARE the tomatoes she's been trying to grow for 4 years. hats about the funniest story about growing tomatoes that I ever heard. I don't know what happened after that, that was about 40 years ago, but I thought you might get a kick out of that!
Tomk215 ha, ha! That poor woman! Hopefully she got a great harvest out of her 4 year old tomato plant once she figured it out! What do you want to try to grow first?
Haha very funny 🤣
Thanks for your videos. My daughter and I really like them and so do our tomatoes!
It's good that you mention about dogs and cats getting into fish fertilizer. My dog chewed the top off the bottle and licked up about half a bottles worth. There didn't seem to be any adverse effect from that. Also, I have caught him rolling around in my garden looking all frisky, like a cat to catnip after watering with this mixture. They may even be inclined to dig and sniff, which can damage plants. That said, the plants seem to like it as much as the dogs.
+Janice B Thanks, Janice, we love our Macky. Thanks for commenting!
@@CaliKim29 If it's highly concentrated I would think licking leakage from the container could be toxic?
I live in Germany and tried to buy fish fertilizer today. I was informed it was no longer offered, due to some law passed. So I went to the Chinese grocery store and bought me some dried fish bits. I think I can aproximate the right amount for sucess. Thanks for the tip!
Keep me posted! Thanks for watching!
Thanks, I just now pulled the Epsom Salt from beneath the bathroom sink for use tomorrow. I've got the Fish Fertilizer & Kelp variety which is also very good; this is first year using it - my plants look very good as of today, June 17, 2014.
You make a great presentation, pleasure watching.
You are welcome, and thx for the feedback! Let me know how the epsom salts works for you too!
We are trying something a little different this year (something I saw online), and planted the tomatoes with a cup of bone meal and a cup of ag.lime in each planting hole. Planted them around 40G garbage cans (with holes drilled at the base all around, and then buried the cans about 12" into the ground). Filled the cans with a scoop or two of composted steer manure, and water inside the cans twice to three times a week. The plants LOVE the compost tea, I added fish fertilizer in the beginning to the soil around the cans near the plants, and so far, only 3 weeks in, we're seeing massive growth (4X faster than years past doing it my old way). Hoping the production continues! Good to know about the Epsom salts, I use it all around the house but never thought about the garden!
We are in Wisconsin so our tomato plants aren't in the ground yet but we did just pick up some fish emulsion! We also saved,baked and crushed egg shells and picked up coffee grounds from a local coffee shop :)
My son and I really enjoy watching your videos and I frequently share them in my fb seed group :)
Blessings to you!!
Hi Melissa - Sounds like you have a recipe for some wonderful tomato plants, hopefully soon in the ground. Thanks so much for sharing my videos - really appreciate it! Have a great day and many blessings to you too!
Happy gardening, the epsom salt in the hole and weekly has made a huge difference in my plants this year. Great advise thank you 🙏
As I mentioned earlier I love your videos... I planted 4 tomato plants for just my wife and I... I have so many tomatoes I have to give some to neighbors because we can't eat them all...I average about 12 large tomatoes a week 😊
I love short videos about your gardening info cause you just hit right at target 👌👌🙏🙏👏👏
Yes it is getting warmer in Australia! I have used Fish in he past but Epsom Salt not as yet. You learn every day and can not wait till two or 3 more weeks and give this a run. You make a wonderful show and teach so well, excellent! Richard
Great video Kim, I just planted my garden here in LA ahead of the last storm. Tomatoes are next, but put in corn, squashes and sweet onions. Starbucks grounds, Epsom salts and mulch, but as the season goes on, will do the sprays and fish oils. Good video
I watch all your vids and they are great! I live in VA and it will be a while before gardening season starts .I also started a worm bin and also want to use the worm (poop) and I've learned that it's the best for gardening .Please keep up the videos ,your pal from VA...................David
didn't realize how small your yard was! coming from the east coast. amazing what you can do with smaller area. i'm new to your channel but really enjoy all that I've seen so far. thanks so much!!
+dave hogan Glad you are enjoying it, Dave! I'm sure yards are quite large there on the east coast! Yards can be tiny here, believe it or not, ours is huge compared to most folks! Do you have a garden?
+CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY If you want to get rid of the smell of fish fertilizer take some of your fish waste add equal amount of jaggery or unrefined sugar to it.keep it for 40 days in a closed container opening it to stir onc a day.You get the same benefit without the smell.remember to make the fish into itsy-bitsy pieces
hi lovely lady, tomatoes are doing great, bright green vibrant healthy and full of blossoms and green tomatoes, your a STAR.
Thank you so much for these videos! I am growing tomatoes in pails, and am using miracle grow, which makes the plant grow like crazy, but as you show in this video, too much nitrogen. So thanks for the Epsom salt idea, we will be getting some tonight! And don't listen to the critical remarks about your use of 2 cameras, it adds to the production value! Good work, we will be watching more!
Great video. I have just applied Epsom Salt 2 days ago to all of my vegetable such as tomatoes, beets, carrots, and as well as rose. Hope to see good result. My next experiment is to apply to lawn. Do you have any video you spreading Epsom Slt to lawn?
Thank you.
Hi, love your videos! first started watching your watermelon vids. your series helped a lot, they will go outside next month. My tomato plant is well established & flowering but didn't know what to feed it.....HOORAY- you had the answer. Thanks a bunch. happy gardening!!
Hey Kim, thanks for breaking down the proportion of fish fertilizer vs epsom salt. I just planted two Early Girl's in two containers. You saved me with your video on pulling off lower leaves of plant and raising the dirt level to the point where the "cut" was made. I didn't do this so ran out to make my plants look like yours. I appreciate your patient guidance for us beginners. You can laugh at this, I do, just because I am Asian doesn't mean I was born with gene to grow stuff, right ?! ;)
I love gardening.
This is very useful for a small time gardener, wise for my budget. Thanks a lot.
I still love this! Thanks for remaking this enhanced version, Kim. This has become my favourite fertilizer.
Just gave my garden this. Thanks for the info. Happy Gardening!
Great video; very nice speaking voice. Thanks for sharing!
I am using fish emulsion this year as well. I put a lot of Epson salt down when planting and mix in the soil. The stuff is pretty good fertilizer. To me the smell reminds of going to a lake dock. Thanks for the tip.
ha, ha, if you close your eyes, you can imagine that you are at the "lake house" relaxing in a hammock under the trees! Good luck with the fish fert!
this is so very useful! i already fertilized the area i'm going to transplant my tomatoes to...but i'll keep this in mind later in the year when it's time to re-fertilize. oh and so far 6 of my hand-fertilized cucumbers are getting big! and i hand fertilized four bloomed watermelon this morning. no bees are showing up yet so i gotta do all the work for pollination haha. but yayyy looks like i might have some cukes and watermelon on the way!!
Glad you found it useful! Its so simple and really does wonders. Congrats on the watermelon blossoms! Hope your hand pollinating is successful! Its really fun to watch those watermelon grow once the fruit come on.
I reviewed the procedure.All I can say is thanks God Bless America!
another great video from your beautiful garden. Love the info, and I am glad to see you coming back to old videos that had unanswered questions. I plan to do that later as well. Isn't that the case that when you film them you think there won't be any questions, and those are the videos that have the most. haha Take care kim and have a lovely week.
Yes, and there are always things that I think of later that I should have said, or forgot to say. Hope you are wrapping up your year at college and are soon able to spend the time in your garden that you would like to! Thanks for watching!
I was wondering if prune your tomatoes. I have pruned half of my tomatoes and left the other half alone. I have learned alot from all your video and apprecaite the tips you have given me on gardening and cooking. If it ever stops raining here in Arkansas, I am going to try your fertilizer tips from this video. My friend told me it worked Great!
I start the season out with good intentions to prune, but never can keep up with it as the season progresses. Just let them grow wild and all over. I always have a huge crop - so I wonder if pruning really matters or not. Let me know if you see a difference! Good luck with the fertilizer!
CALI YOU ARE RIGHT DOGS LOVE THIS STUFF MY DOG NEVER BOTHERS MY STUFF BUT SHE WAS DIGGING HOLES AND ATE A TOMATO PLANT AND ATE THE TOPS OF MY WATERMELON PLANTS I ADDED SOME MORE FISH FERTILIZER AND THEY ARE GROWING BACK I HAD FORGOT ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND WAS WONDERING WHY SHE WAS DOING THIS MY SISTER SAID DOGS LOVE FISH AND MY MEMORY CAME BACK TO THIS VIDEO THANKS FOR INFORMATION I WILL UPDATE ON MY PROGRESS PROGESSSO FAR SO GOOD I ALSO USED COW MANURE SOIL AND CHICKEN MANURE IN A BAG THAT I BOUGHT AT WALMART
We are going to try this. It sure would be nice to replace those wire plant cages behind you in this video. You can build your own with Qubits. Colorful and strong when you secure them together with 4" zip ties. They last for years, mine are three years old.
I could watch you all day
Sheep pellets also work really well also instead of fish fertilizer. I have set up a header tank in my glasshouse that feeds back into my drip irrigation system. I pour liquid fertilizer into the tank, the water system is timed, it takes 45 mins to fill the header tank, when it shuts off gravity feeds my plants the fertilizer. I do this about once every 3 weeks it works great and I get bumper crops, here in NZ
I just bought 3 improved parkers whoppers and a big boy. Got them 4 for 10 bucks. I had no ideal tomato plants got that big! I had just watched your video where your early girl had gotten so large. I made me go out to get some seeds but ended up with my 4 potted tomatoes. Looking forward to the summer and fresh tomatos! Gonna make a killer BLT. Plus I'm gonna try the fish fert and some Epsom salts too.. Thanks for the video.... Nice work
+Mike Phillips Great buy on the tomato plants, Mike! Those BLTs with homegrown toms are the bomb! Early Girl is so prolific and is still going strong - thanks for watching!
Keep up the good work! Cheers... Oh yeah.. I'll keep watchin.
I always thought fertilizing my garden plants was out of my budget ~ I guess I was wrong!
We have had the problem of yellowing & wilting on the bottom parts of our tomato plants for the past few years. I will *definitely* be using your tomato planting hole recipe and this fertilizer this year. We're in MI, having a cold night tonight - down to about 32 degrees! - but we'll be planting in just a few short weeks. Thanks for all of these wonderful videos, tips, and ideas!!
Lori Butterfield If they are yellow you may be watering too much?
Thanks Kim, I just planted three tomato plants yesterday evening and sprinkled some epsom salts on top of the soil and then watered it in. I first heard about Epsom Salts from one of your earlier videos and it's nice to know that you use it on most of your garden not just tomatoes. I really appreciate your help and advice, I'm such a rookie at all this and keep learning everyday.
I use the Fish Emulsion inside my grow room, yeah it stinks, but it really does work. Since we live in the wilds of Montana I'm reluctant to use it outside---we have enough critters walking around as it is and I don't want to attract any more. ;)
Hey, there isn't a bit of snow in sight----how about that, May 17th and we're finally snow free.
BTW: Your videos are very well done, professional looking with excellent quality audio and video. Keep up the good work!
Wayne
Hi Wayne - so glad to hear that there is no snow there - I think spring is on the way for your ! Yes, the animals do love the fish fert, you may have to be careful there! Glad to hear your toms are thriving and thx for the compliment on the videos, will pass that along to CG - he will be thrilled to hear it. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!
Thank you for your videos Kim, I'm starting to use your method, greetings from Mexico!
Thanks for explaining in such a simple, easy to understand way. I planted some heirloom tomato plants in early June (a very late start), and now it looks like the tomatoes won't have enough time to ripen (they are all still green on the vine). On hindsight, I think I have not watered enough (the soaking hose leaves many spots dry) and not fertilized enough. I did not know what fertilizer to use so I applied fish fertilizer once in a while. Now armed with fresh knowledge (thanks to you!), I am sure I will do a better job next year!
Ellen Ho glad it is helpful- I do like the simplicity of this. Good luck In the future with your tomatoes!
Thanks for sharing the video Kim. I appreciate the helpful hints. My tomatoes are not growing as fast as I had hoped. So, I will try your secret recipe. Your videos always make me homesick for SoCal.
You are welcome, Rick. Hopefully this will give them the boost they need. Are you from So Cal?
Yes, La Crescenta, next to Pasadena
something that helped all my plants and apple trees was rabbit manure.i spread it everywhere and it helped my garden along with apple production.
Rabbit manure is lower in nitrogen so it won't burn plants as fast as chicken manure.
Nice Yard! The terraced part is cool too !
Tomatoes are heavy eaters. They do best when planted deep so they can make LOTS of roots. I also feed my tomatoes with the fish emulsion and epsom salts but I water the entire plant, including the leaves. I also heat the egg shells for 1 minute in the microwave and then grind them to powder in an old spice / coffee grinder and put that on my tomatoes, peppers, squashes, etc. The calcium in the egg shells helps prevent blossom end rot. It also helps the tomatoes to not split. I also put coffee grounds around my plants. Try it. They'll like it !
Hello again Kim, forgot to ask about fertilizing cantaloupe and watermelon, what’s the best fertilizer to feed them? I did feed my entire garden fish emulsion last week, should I feed my entire garden again (which also included a blueberry bush and a kiwi bush. All my fruit and vegetables are planted in grow bags). Thanks again!
Used your method today in our GARDEN - let's see if it works.
Good luck, Samuel - keep me posted!
Was searching tomato planting videos and found this one. Never tried the epsom salt, but my family has traditionally just used actual fish (or parts) planted in the bottom of the holes before setting the plant. I always liked to use non-native "trash" fish like carp. After the plant gets going, it finds the fish, feeds from it and really takes off. Also gives an excuse to go fishing or bowfishing.
I don't do much different. I have an organic fertilizer that I have from a local nursury that has worm casting, bone meal and a lot of other ingredients. I use the Fish emulsion the first week of every month. I add the ebsom salt with the fertilizer and if the leaves get yellow, I just spray the leaves with a water/ebsom salt mix. Seems to be working this season.
Sounds like you have great methods that work well in your garden! The fun thing about gardening is the ability to utilize techniques that are effective for your garden and your growing zone. Have you checked out the Gardening Coast2Coast FB group? You can find it here: facebook.com/groups/1896995967235016/
I love the way that our group members are sharing tips and info on that page that is of value to specific growing zones- come on over and check it out! Thanks so much for watching!
This year I am trying seaweed. It reminds me of fish fertilizer because it stinks too! With these high temps, I am keeping my plants well watered but some are not looking too good so I gave them some. :)
Hi Anna - hopefully it will give them a good boost - always works for me! Good luck making it through the heat and happy gardening!
Thanks for this, tomatoes are going to be one of the first vegetables I'm going to plant. I'm looking forward to constructing some raised gardens and getting in to it. Used a similar fish fertiliser this morning on my newly constructed herb garden(1 month in). Interesting about the epsom salts.
vanguardau The herbs will respond beautifully to the fish fertilizer! Perfect for them, as you want lots of green growth with those herbs! Enjoy picking out your tomato seeds, there are so many fun varieties to choose from! They love the epsom salts too, as does everything in my garden!
Another great video, Kim
Thanks, Adam. Appreciate you stopping by!
Learned something new from you. I am going to try this time.I learn new things from people.I had less success in tomatoes so far but hope this time it works.My tomatoes flowers falls always .Do have any suggestions for that.
Urvesh Patel glad you learned something here - we all learn from each other! Blossom drop is a sign of stress in the plant and can have a number of causes. Too hot, or too cold, or lack or pollination, or even watering issues. Good luck and thx for watching!
I put a 1/4 cup of hen manure in bottom of hole then 8-10 inch tall plant.It grows quite well.
I love watching your videos your explanations are well explained and your tips are great,I've done your strawberry tower,which I seen from the other guy that works well and I can move it anywhere the sun is which I already did. I'm doing the Epsom salt this year trying that,I'm growing a lot of things in my small garden because of you,fitting things everywhere...hope it all works out.. I'll let you know Monica
The dog came over as soon as she said lol! I made a batch of super soil and ALL of the nearby cats just swarmed around me like woah. Something in those organic smells gets to them.
Hey Kim...have you ever heard of or tried powdered milk in your Tomato planting holes before setting your plants...it's high in calcium which does two things basically...wards off blight and keeps tomatoes from splitting while growing...have a good day,night whatever the case ;)
Hi Mike - yes, I have heard of that, and did it the first year I planted tomatoes, it worked great too! I now add egg shells for calcium, since I have those readily available and they are FREE! Have a great day!
Hi cali that was very helpful thanx a lot 👍🤗♥️
I use fish fertalizer on roses, they love it...You need to make fertilizer tea...Get steer manure from store. Put a couple of hand fulls and Epson salts and maybe fish emulsion in a5 gallon bucket and fill with water and let steep for a couple of days then a couple of cup fulls per plant every third day. a little calcium also for tomatoes !!
Larry Ogden Will have to try that fertilizer tea - great suggestion! Sounds like a winner formula for sure, Larry!
Thanks for sharing i would love to try this from now on
hi kim, you mentioned you don't have a fertilizer attachment on your drip system.. however,
there is something even better! check out HOSE END SPRAYERS, basically a hose nozzle with a small clear container that you add your fertilizer and adjust the dial to how many oz. per gallon you want to apply, you can spray all your plants quickly and easily hope this helps
busybody1 why do the egg shells have to be rinsed off?
+ Dawna i think you meant to ask Carol Blaser about rinsing? i can only guess but since she is putting old egg shells in her oven, she doesn't want any egg left in them??? i'm a newbie to all this :>0
I realize this video is a couple years old but just want to say thanks for the info, Thumbs up and subscribed!
Thanks for sharing I have thought about using fish stuff. Probably great for micro organisms.
I use gypsum, rock dust, epsum salt, and 13-13-13 at planting time. Then feed every couple weeks with MG tomato food until the plants get some size. Once flowering starts good I switch over to super bloom stuff from MG.
I like MG because has much more then just NPK which plants need.
Thanks for sharing your fertilizing tips - been hearing more and more about rock dust, glad it is working for you! Happy Gardening!
That watering can is a true beauty! I saw one of your vids in which you said that your spading fork was your favorite garden tool. That watering can MUST be a close second.
I have added epsom salt around roses with success...never tomatoes. I am going to try this. Thanks for the tip!
The "DOG" came on camera in perfect time to smell the emulsion. What a ham!
Our dog always manages to make a cameo! I got the watering can from a thrift store believe it or not! And I do love it! Thanks for watching!
That's great, I have used the same on my tomatoes and get amazing results! Great job on the videos, and thanks for all of your shared knowledge.
Hi Wesley - glad its working for you too! Hopefully we both have a great crop soon. Glad you are enjoying the videos and I really appreciate you watching them and commenting!
Love how down to earth you are.
When you plant the tomato plants in a deep hole, you should put a couple cups of AZOMITE (rock dust) 76 minerals (A to Z Of Minerals Including Trace Elements) + a hand full of crushed, sterilized, pelletized, oyster shell for chickens or egg shells that hace been dried at 200 degrees (10 minutes) in an oven, then pulverized in an old blender, + 2 Tablespoons of Epsom Salts, mix with dirt in bottom of the hole gives them all the rare minerals they might need to fight disease then I put a little Peat Moss to hold water 2 cups so roots grow into nutrients. I have friends saving egg shells, and if you can talk a restraunt to save them and get them daily for a week, it will meet your needs, but keep in mind they have health codes they have to comply with that is why I use Oyster shell for Chickens it is cheap and if stored properly breaks down easily, will last several years fights blossom end rot. I do have a SECRET ingredient composted chicken Manure and bedding, my Nitrogen that I work into the whole garden and a very large crop of worms due to compost and large amt. of leaves I rototill in the fall, as they store trace elements in the leaves from deep in the earth, but need to watch your Ph. some leaves are kind of acid, maple leaves are sweet and my favorite.
Great tips.
Thanks.
nice, quick and easy. Also love the stones around plants. I may try something similar 2 it this yr. as its my 1st time gardening
+Shajuan Cook Hello Shajuan - quick and simple is how I roll, then I will do it! Yay for first time gardeners - have you been able to get started yet? Make sure to watch the $10 Garden Series for quick, simple and inexpensive ways to start your garden - lots here: ruclips.net/p/PLH4z_9MDD00Lion_2NWKsyvPWLezSQ4-v. And keep me posted!
On one of your videos, I mentioned something about burying fish and crawdad heads in the garden. Here is another great free fertilizer tip that I have used for years and the plants will grow like they are on steroids. It's so simple. Aquarium water. If you have an aquarium like I used to, whenever I changed the water, I would siphon it into an empty Tidy Cat litter bucket with the snap on lid. Now that I don't have any aquariums, a couple of my friends do, so I leave a couple of clean Tidy Cat buckets at their house to save the water for me when they clean their tanks. The best part, it's free!!!! If you don't have an aquarium or your friends don't, ask some neighbors or you can check in your area to see if there are any companies the service commercial aquariums like you find in office buildings.
Does this really work? New to the planting of tomatoes, might give this a try.
Very nice information.will surely try for my tomato plant.though it is in pot.thanks a lot.
Hi Kim. Great information here! I am looking for 'how to' guidance in growing tomatoes in CONTAINERS. Any wisdom you can share would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Kim. I've just discovered this video. I'm really grateful for the advice, thanks!
Question for you/anyone who reads this and knows the answer:
Does this same fertilising mix apply to container gardens? Or should container gardeners supplement with some other ferts throughout the season? Thanks!
Kim - I may have missed it in your video but when you mix 2 (approx) tablespoons of epsom salts into your watering can I would like to know the following: 1) is your watering can about 2 gallons and if not what is the capacity?; 2) How much of the watering can do you use for each tomato plant?; 3) How often do you use this mixture for each tomato plant? (i.e. once per week, twice per week, etc)
Yes, my watering can is around 2 gallons. No rocket science to it, just water till you think the tomato plant is saturated, I usually water with epsom salts every two weeks or so. As per the video, I use the fish fert in the beginning of the season only. Thx for watching!
get your Epsom salt at the 99 cent store, big package cheap.
Looking forward to trying fish fertilizer and epsom salt on my tomatoes this season. Thanks for the video!
I've been using this on my 'maters, but they weren't doing too well. I added in some seaweed and those things are really shooting up! Thought I'd mention because you said you were having trouble with some of your 'maters. This is my first year planting them in the plot they're in and we probably didn't prepare the ground as well as we should have. I did put epsom, manure and fish fert in the planting holes, and was side dressing with it, but they still weren't doing much. I side dressed with all of those plus the seaweed and they are now really taking off and making lots of flowers. (I tried the seaweed out on a couple of plain old weeds and the weed I gave the seaweed to is really shooting up still even two weeks later, while the one that didn't get it is dying, no doubt due to our hot sun here. I had no idea it would make that much difference, but it really seems to.)
I've also found that, with my containers plants, spraying with Neem & soap stops spider mites and other little leaf eaters absolutely cold, but lady bugs seem to be unaffected. Thanks for the great vids; you are so natural and easy to listen to and you always have such great advice. :-)
LL Mcbee Glad to hear you got it dialed in for your tomatoes! That's what I love about gardening, you get to try different things to see what works for you! Looks like I may need to add seaweed to my garden regime - I think it is fairly inexpensive too, isn't it? I And how cool that you did an experiment with the weeds too - great idea and I bet that was interesting to see.
Thanks for watching my videos and sharing all your great tips. Glad you are enjoying the channel, I love to hear the feedback, really keeps me motivated too!
Nice garden and great tips!
Thanks, CG!
I use epsom salt and rabbit poo on my plants last year, I got a pet rabbit for my son just for the droppings. I might try the fish stuff this year. Thanks for the video
Hi RookieGardenGirl! Good idea about the rabbit - might just look into that. Do you keep the rabbit caged so it doesn't eat your plants? This fish fert works great - let me know how your plants like it!
CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY I have a hutch with run, so he gets some space with out getting in to the beds. But it gets crazy cold in the winters, -50 some nights so we also have a indoor care for the winter. I will let you know about the fish... take care:)
Great vid. I've been fertilizing with fish and Epsom for years. I also mix one tablespoon of sodium nitrate per gallon and slowly pour it over the foliage every 12 to 15 days. I've 10 plants in 5 gallon buckets this year, 2 or 3 gallons is sufficient.
Hi. I like your videos and good explanation. My cuestion is? Epson salt and fish fertelizer, is for any food plant? Cucumbers,chili pants...
Yes, you can use it on anything you're growing
I accidentally got some on the leaves during transplant and it burnt the leaves. Fish emulsion fertilizer is strong to newbies. I'll let them get a little bigger before I add the fish fertilizer. Its amazing what Epsom salt and fish emulsion combined can do. My roma tomatoes been in the ground almost 2 months I counted almost 40 tomatoes on a single plant.
2tbs of ground egg shells with 2tbs of white vinegar mix with 1 gallon of water is a great way of calcium boost. Just ground egg shell takes too long to break down to feed the plants. You want it to take to roots right away.
Thanks for the tip on the calcium. Can you tell me how often to apply the calcium mixture to the tomatoes? Would this also work for my peppers?
I'm new to backyard gardening and I'm enjoying it so much with my kids!
Thanks for the tip. First time tomato grower so I need help.
You have been so inspiring to me, thank you, for your videos!
Hi darlingpandora - thanks so much for letting me know! Really appreciate you watching. Happy Gardening!
It is Idaho ( God's country) I have used early girls for several years. They are the perfect size for tomato sandwiches. and they are early because od the short growing season here !!
Larry Ogden Sounds like you got it happenin', Larry! Good luck with those early girls!
love your videos. Learning alot. No it's not getting warm yet where I am in Nova Scotia Canada...end of April and I saw hail today ;( Can't put anything out in the greenhouse yet still too cold. We have a very short grow season here
Thanks for the tips
Thanks Calikim29 nice informative video. Do you ever try to the fish and seaweed mixture, I use that and it's awesome as the seaweed contains a lot of the trace minerals.
I better get out there and fertilize my Tomatoes as I am getting them ready to sell to the parents at the school.
Enjoyed the video!
Happy Gardening
Marty Ware
Never mixed it with the seaweed - but I know those trace minerals are important. How are the tomato sales shaping up for you? Good luck! Thanks for sharing.
thank you so much ! still super helpful !
I didn't use epsom salt too much last year but this year it seems like I've used it for everything! Thanks for the great video! Too bad fish emulsion is sooo stinky!
Hi CC - Its my go to fertilizer these days too! That fish emulsion is stinky - but it works great. Might be tough on your balcony, though - I"m sure the smell would filter into your house! ha,ha!
Yes, CaliKim29 Garden & Home DIY - that is the problem. All the rats in the area too. I would hate to invite them near my home.
Charm City Balcony Garden
yes, you want to keep them away. So far they are leaving the garden alone, but then again there isn't much to eat yet. We'll see how it goes! Happy gardening!