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Jul 18, 2015 9:40 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
So far, my summer has been rainy, cloudy and on the cool side with a few hot days. Tomatoes are not growing robustly and not a lot of flowers. Is it a good idea or a bad idea to give my veggies some compost tea? The soil hasn't dried out totally this growing season so I don't know if I'd be making things worse with the tea. The two tomatoes ('Sioux') that are almost ripe are splitting, presumably from too much rain.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
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Jul 18, 2015 12:41 PM CST
Name: Tom
Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
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I would just add the compost to the soil, and let the rain, worms, and nature break it down.
Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often, and for the same reason.
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Jul 18, 2015 1:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
I already have compost and shredded leaves for mulch. I would probably be using worm compost as my current yard waste compost is full of weed seeds.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
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Jul 24, 2015 10:09 AM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
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I don't see how the compost tea could possibly hurt anything.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jul 24, 2015 1:15 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Planning on making up a batch this next week. Worm bins need emptying. I figure a mid-season boost is in order as we should be getting some hot weather.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
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Jul 25, 2015 11:10 PM CST
Name: Daniel Erdy
Catawba SC (Zone 7b)
Pollen collector Fruit Growers Permaculture Hybridizer Plant and/or Seed Trader Organic Gardener
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I'm with Tom on this, if water is a problem why add more? compost tea is derived from compost so there honestly is no difference except you are a little less vulnerable to mildews, and fungus when top dressing with the compost vs using the tea. That said compost tea is a great thing to use in the garden but wait until it needs watering.
If overcast, rain and cool weather is a common problem in your area you may want to invest in some red plastic mulch. This will help reflect what sun you do get back on the plant and the red spectrum in light promotes flowering. I wouldn't suggest using plastic mulch on a mass scale but for 1 or 2 rows of tomatoes it should work great for you.
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Avatar for Shadegardener
Jul 26, 2015 9:55 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Oh - I don't have rows of tomatoes. They're interplanted with other perennials and such with a couple in pots. The soil is drying out and rain is becoming less of an issue and hot days are starting to take over. I only use fertilizer when I plant and at no other time and am hoping to boost soil nutrients before my short growing season comes to an end.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
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