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Pacific Gold Mustard
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September in the Trial Garden
- by Lindsay Del Carlo,
Trial Garden Manager
We have a terrific cherry tomato trial this season and we
attribute it to several factors. Our new trellising method
(explained in our
June newsletter) has
proved to be well worth the effort. The tomatoes are planted
along a 50 ft row. Then we ran a single row of 6 ft tall wire
fencing that rests at the base of the plants, with bamboo fixed
to the fencing every 5 ft., so the fencing lays diagonally and
then rests on upright posts. This angled support system allows
plants to spread out against the fencing as they grow and makes
picking ripe fruit a breeze, especially for cherry tomatoes,
which can be very labor intensive to harvest otherwise Since the
plants are can sprawl and spread along the fence, they get
better air circulation that helps prevent bacterial diseases.
We also used a quick cover crop, Pacific Gold mustard, which we
planted in the fall. Mustard has high levels of glucosinolates
which have a fumigating effect in the soil and help fend off
soil dwelling pathogens that affect tomatoes. Pacific Gold
Mustard also takes up large amounts of nutrients that would
otherwise be leached out of the soil from the winter weather.
When the mustard is incorporated back into the soil and breaks
down, the nutrients are released and become available for the
plants to use.
This spring, at planting time, we mixed in granular,
slow-release organic fertilizer called Sustane along with earth
worm casting s which add essential nutrients to the soil. We
also add Humic Acid which is not a fertilizer, but rather a
complement to fertilizer as it increases fertilizer retention
and improves nutrient uptake. We also incorporated the new
organic disease control, Actinovate, which contains a high
concentration of beneficial microorganisms that grow on the
plant’s roots and leaves, while at the same time attacking
harmful disease- causing pathogens. This natural product
suppresses and controls a wide range of foliar and root
diseases. It's great to have all these new tools in the organic
gardening tool chest nowadays!
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Organic Fertilizers/Amendments |
