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May 12, 2017 in Easy Garden DIY· Edible Garden· Garden How To· Garden Problems

Biggest & best tomatoes using fish heads, aspirin & water tubes

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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You probably know by now that Tom is a gym teacher. So bigger is better. And this mantra even applies to tomatoes.
Tom wants the biggest tomatoes on the block. Nothing else will do.
I’m not sure who he thinks he’s competing with since very few people actually grow anything in our suburban neighborhood. Certainly not to the extent that we do! 
He’s a Pinterest man.
And he’s coming up with all sorts of ideas to implement.
One of which are these dang fish heads. Gross. I know.
But it’s an organic fertilizer and tomatoes are heavy feeders that need lots of fertilizer.
He’s been reading about how fish heads (all leftover fish parts actually) paired with aspirin and a few other amendments will grow the most stupendous tomatoes ever.
He also used some leftover PVC tubing from a drain project to make these unique watering tubes that feed our tomatoes using compost.
Combining these techniques will grow the biggest and best tomatoes possible. The techniques outlined here will work with all types of tomatoes, so it never hurts to try new varieties!

We hope you’re game and keep your sense of humor while following us!

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Prep for planting tomatoes using fish, aspirin & water tubes

Tom dug out a trench. But you could just dig humongous holes. The general idea is to use one PVC water tube per four tomato plants that will be staggered around each pole.
We are using three poles and twelve tomato plants for this plot measuring six feet across. Encouraging upward growth is vital to save garden space. Tom made these for me out of PVC!
No time to make your own DIY PVC cage? I also have these ones and they work.
The tubes will have holes for proper drainage and will function much like a DIY drip irrigation system that waters underground instead of just the surface. 

For the rest of your garden, you may want to install drip irrigation. There are tons to choose from but this is the kit we have and have gotten numerous years use from. 

tomato trenches

Why you should plant tomatoes on their side.

Planting tomatoes on their sides is a good idea to encourage nutrient absorption.

We pinched the yellowed leaves off the bottom half of the stem to increase the stem length as tomatoes need to get buried very deep.

Now the stem portion that is buried will form roots, giving the plant the best foundation possible and allowing the plant a greater ability to absorb these nutrients and water.

Plus a larger root system near the soil surface will mean that more heat will be available to the plant, producing earlier tomatoes.

Place your plants on their sides for a day or two prior to planting so they naturally bend towards the sun.

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How-to use PVC tubes to water and fertilize your tomatoes

Tomatoes don’t like to get wet.

I don’t like to get wet.

But when I’m thirsty, I want a big drink of water to hydrate me. No need to get wet.

Tomatoes feel this way too. Their leaves and branches shudder at water touching them but their root systems are thirsty and desire to be quenched.

Enter PVC tubing!

After drilling holes into the PVC tubes for drainage purposes, you will bury these tubes into the ground and plant your tomatoes around them.

Water will be poured into the top. But first, compost is added directly into these tubes not only to slow the release of the water, but to feed the plants with compost tea.

As water is poured into these tubes, it absorbs these nutrients from the compost to feed your plants.

watering tube for tomatoes

PVC tubing is the new wave in drip irrigation, except unlike drip irrigation that waters only the surface, PVC tubing allows you to water directly to the base of the plant.

Insider tip: You don’t have to use 4-inch diameter tubes as we did, you could use 6 or 8-inch tubes. Then you wouldn’t have to water as frequently.

We redid our ditch and had leftover drain line. And Tom doesn’t let anything go to waste! 

watering tube for tomatoes

For the four plants that will be centered around this tube Tom drilled five holes into the pipe in a circular pattern at two different levels, one higher (just above ground level) and one in between the end cap and higher holes.

So each plant gets ten holes each.

You can adjust this number based on how big your holes are (Tom drilled with a 1/4″ drill bit) and how much water you want to leak out.

Obviously, the bigger the hole, the faster the water will seep out of the tube. 

end cap for tomato watering tube

Just like any pot, you want holes in the bottom of your end cap for proper drainage.

Most plants don’t like just sitting in standing water and once your tomato roots get deep enough they will absorb this water as well.

tomato watering tubes in ground

We buried three tubes equally spaced in the trench that will each have four tomato plants scattered around them.

Twelve plants in total will thrive in this trench.

They are tightly packed so hopefully we will be able to encourage upward growth!

fish for tomatoes

Why use fish to grow bigger tomatoes?

Although tomatoes are fairly easy to grow, they are heavy feeders requiring lots of nutrients like phosphorus, calcium and to a lesser extent nitrogen.

The more fertilizer love they get, the more flowers they produce and the more fruit you’ll get in the form of big, luscious tomatoes.

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Why fish? 

Fish has loads of nitrogen which encourages lots of leaf and branch growth making the plant flourish. Of course you don’t want too much nitrogen as that could result in large beefy plants with no flowers to form tomatoes.

But fish parts seem to strike the perfect nitrogen balance as it also provides lots of minerals and vitamins, too.

Plus, tomatoes need lots of water. Adding tons of water depletes soil nutrients so we’re putting them back in using various amendments.

The various fish parts like the bones, heads and guts (sorry, this is grossing even me out) contain lots of these beneficial nutrients that decay fast for a quick boost of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium for your plants.

As the protein of the fish breaks down all these super nutrients are released into the soil directly to your plants supporting root and foliage growth.

Insider tip: If you freeze the fish before using, you won’t have to deal with any unpleasant smells! 

fish around watering tubes for tomatoes

We used two large fish per PVC tube.

Tom and family are big into fishing as are his co-workers so getting fish was a breeze for us.

But you could contact your local restaurant and ask what they do with their leftover fish parts. Most are happy to oblige after a few blank stares!

Why use crushed eggshells to grow bigger tomatoes?

Eggshells are loaded in calcium.

Eggshells provide this boost of calcium to the soil to be soaked up by your plants as well as helping level off your soil pH.

Eggshells do not break down well on their own so use your hands to crumble them first and spread around the tubes.

They also help fend off blossom-end rot in tomatoes and other nightshade fruits! Here’s another fantastic way to use eggshells. 

organic tomato fertilizer

Next, we added fertilizer as tomatoes love fertilizer. We ended up scattering a cup of Dr. Earth 4-6-3 fertilizer around each tube that is a safe fertilizer for both people and pets.
 
Last time I checked, it was super on sale, too if you click just above. Yay! 
worm casting

Add a scoop of worm castings. Remember worm poop is gardener’s gold!

A scoop goes a long way to help make the biggest and best tomatoes.
blood meal as fertilizer for tomatoes

For just a little extra nitrogen, we added just a pinch of blood meal around each tube to get those plants to flourish.
They were quite leggy and weak by the time we actually got them planted! Besides, if too much nitrogen is added, I depend on the carbon in the leaves to balance things out.
bone meal

Double the amount of bone meal to blood meal. Bone meal is another excellent source of calcium.
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Why use aspirin to grow disease-free tomatoes?

Aspirin boosts the immune system of the tomato plants similar to how we would take zinc or echinacea to ward off a cold.

Except the tomatoes are keeping leaf spot and blight at bay.

The salicylic acid of aspirin mimics a hormone in tomato plants. The hormone naturally triggers a defense response in tomatoes.

So you are tricking your tomatoes into triggering a defense response by giving it aspirin before diseases arrive.

There are two basic ways to use aspirin

1.) Put them whole down your tubes (or place a few whole in your tomato/nightshade hole prior to planting)

​2.) Make an aspirin spray to squirt on your tomato plants 2-3 times monthly. We use 1 (325 mg.) aspirin per 1 gallon of water. {You will need to grind them up first for the spray}

End result:

Bigger yield due to stronger, thicker tomato leaves that are less susceptible to the spores of diseases.

Salicylic acid encourages plants into releasing their natural defenses against harmful fungi, bacteria and viruses. 

leaves for growing tomatoes

Leaves are packed with trace minerals.

When added to your garden, leaves feed earthworms and beneficial microbes. They also lighten heavy soils and help sandy soils retain moisture.

A fabulous source of carbon, leaves balance the nitrogen in the compost pile around your tubes.

We got lazy and dumped them in whole, but ideally they should be chopped first. The more rotten…the better!

We typically chop ours by riding them over with the lawn mower and then dumping them into the garden. 

covering watering tubes with topsoil

Your trenches or holes are dug deep enough so that you’ll be able to bury your ingredients before actually planting.

You’ll want to add some topsoil to cover your amendments and then plant your tomatoes. The topsoil will also help stabilize those pipes prior to planting.

how-to prune tomatoes

We also pinched off the new shoots off the bottom half of the plant leaving only the topmost leaves to foster the best root growth possible.

We want those roots to grow strong and deep first! Those lower leaves would have gotten buried sapping strength from the plant that now we’re forcing to the roots.

Insider tip: Before dropping the plant into the hole, first gently loosen the root ball with your hands untangling a few roots if possible. This gets the plants acclimated and ready to grow quicker! 

filling tubes with water

After burying the tubes and placing those tomato plants deep it’s time to fill your tubes. We created our own compost with our green and brown waste in plastic compost bins.

This first gets added directly into the tubes. Then pour water into the tubes. As the water funnels through the tubes and leaks into the holes, it absorbs much of the nutrients from this compost.

Essentially, you are watering with compost tea! Are you ready to grow the biggest and best tomatoes ever?

The shots after the tomatoes get the royal treatment!

I only ended up taking “after” shots of my cherry tomatoes but the photo’s still highlight how lush, green and humongous the plants got.

And those plants produced lots of big, bold and beautiful tomatoes for my family, neighbors and friends!

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Secret code: Twix

Here’s how to make these awesome DIY PVC pipe trellises. Works like magic!
Are you ready to grow the biggest and best tomatoes?

140 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar카지노 보너스 says

    September 26, 2020 at 1:41 am

    Love to see this every day !

    Reply
    • Avatarrandy vincent says

      December 5, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      great

      Reply
  2. AvatarRichard says

    November 22, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    hello. this such valuable info. one question can i use salt water fish or should i use fresh water fish heads. thanks

    Reply
  3. AvatarJoanna says

    December 4, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    Great article for growing lots of tomatoes! Thanks!

    Reply
  4. AvatarJohn Dickson says

    December 4, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    Love this site.

    Reply
  5. AvatarRichard Schott says

    December 4, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    I love growing tomatoes.

    Reply
  6. AvatarChris Civitello says

    December 4, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    A little bit of work to get better tomatoes, but it would be worth it!

    Reply
  7. AvatarBelinda Rowden says

    December 4, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    Love your tips

    Reply
  8. AvatarAudrey says

    December 4, 2020 at 8:31 pm

    Wow that’s weird with the fish heads

    Reply
  9. AvatarJOHN KENNEDY says

    December 4, 2020 at 9:13 pm

    thanks, I needed another excuse to go fishing! for tomato fertilizer!

    Reply
  10. AvatarDiane Warstler says

    December 4, 2020 at 10:57 pm

    In credibly interesting method of growing beautiful tomatoes.

    Reply
  11. AvatarKari Judd says

    December 5, 2020 at 12:57 am

    Thank You for the Info and Tips on having the Biggest & best tomatoes using fish heads, aspirin & water tubes!

    Reply
  12. AvatarBetsy Pauzauskie says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:32 am

    You have the best tips ever in an easy to read & follow format! And, we have a wonderful neighbor and provider of fish heads! Thank you!

    Reply
  13. Avatarellen beck says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:34 am

    I read this a couple years ago, and have tried it- it works very very well. I love the tube method!

    Reply
  14. AvatarGT says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:59 am

    Great natural tips!

    Reply
  15. AvatarLiz Kilcher says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:39 am

    thanks for the tips

    Reply
  16. AvatarDonna Evans says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:25 am

    I had fresh tomatoes from our garden last night

    Reply
  17. Avatarcynthia says

    December 5, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    I grow the best NJ tomatoes.

    Reply
  18. AvatarLisa Kerr says

    December 5, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    What a great way to grow tomatoes!! I haven’t grown any in years. But I plan on having a garden next Summer:)

    Reply
  19. AvatarMarilyn Mancini says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    That’s a lot of great tips for growing bigger, stronger tomatoes. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. AvatarJanis says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    I certainly needed tomato tips. Thank you!

    Reply
  21. AvatarDavid M. says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    I love vine-riped tomatoes.

    Reply
  22. AvatarTeresa Bivings says

    December 5, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    Love this idea the Tomatoes look great

    Reply
  23. AvatarNancy says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    These are some great tips to help gardeners have the very biggest tomatoes in the neighborhood!

    Reply
  24. AvatarDiane Sabatini says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    Your garden is lovely and thanks for the tips. My Dad has a vegetable garden that takes up half the backyard too.

    Reply
  25. AvatarCandy says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    What a great idea. I live by a lake and love to go fishing and homegrown tomatoes so I will definitely be trying this in the spring.

    Reply
  26. Avatarstephanie mellott says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Awesome tips!

    Reply
  27. Avatartesa shelton says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    I actually just harvested 2 big buckets of tomatoes, and I’m in Central Texas. They just kept growing after the summer, and I threw some fertilizer on them when I was fertilizing my pumpkins!

    Reply
  28. AvatarAngela Simmons says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    It is way to late for us to plant tomatoes in Colorado.. I’ll have to remember aspirin for the spring.

    Reply
  29. AvatarMonica M says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    I love fresh garden tomatoes, great info!

    Reply
  30. AvatarANGELA PRINGLE says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    I’VE LEARNED HOW TO GROW GOOD TOMATOES !!!THANKS

    Reply
  31. AvatarChad Boyd says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    I am a huge tomato lover, so I will surely be trying thee tips! Thank you!

    Reply
  32. AvatarLinda says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    wow lots of information! No clue about fish or aspirin. I knew about eggshells. Great article!

    Reply
  33. AvatarDebbie Welchert says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    What a lot of great tips. I didn’t know about the aspirin. I can’t wait to try them out in the Spring.

    Reply
    • AvatarMary Meadows says

      December 7, 2020 at 5:19 am

      Lots of great info! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  34. Avatarpaula burnham says

    December 5, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    I learn something new every day, love your blog

    Reply
  35. AvatarToni Schlinsog says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    Nothing beats vine ripened tomatoes!

    Reply
  36. AvatarRonnell Storie says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    Interesting article. Too much much work for me. I’ll keep using my chicken poop.

    Reply
  37. AvatarDeeAnn S says

    December 5, 2020 at 4:41 pm

    Never knew about the aspirin. Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  38. AvatarJanet Kellar says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:04 pm

    Lots of good advice for growing tomatoes!

    Reply
  39. AvatarMargaret Caudill says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:08 pm

    Very good information

    Reply
  40. AvatarDonna Yost says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    I never would have thought of using fish to grow tomatoes!

    Reply
  41. AvatarLynda Johnson says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    Super informative. I learned many things. Can’t wait til winter is over and planting season starts.

    Reply
  42. AvatarAngella Richards says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    This is a must try.. my tomatoes never look like yours

    Reply
  43. AvatarMonica McConnell says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    Wow I will def have to look into this

    Reply
  44. AvatarPam W. says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    I enjoy growing my own tomatoes, so I appreciate this article.

    Reply
  45. AvatarDebra DuBois says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    Great information love tomatoes thanks

    Reply
  46. AvatarMichelle Proper says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Great tips! I had so many tomatoes this past season!

    Reply
  47. AvatarJon Heil says

    December 5, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Looking good even though I only like Ketchup and not much into tomatoes 😀

    Reply
  48. AvatarSarah Bridges says

    December 5, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    I’m going to try some of this next year! I’ve only grown cherry tomatoes so far, but want to try larger ones in 2021.

    Reply
  49. AvatarTracey Barfield says

    December 5, 2020 at 6:07 pm

    Thanks for the tips, I do not know much about gardening other than the basic of getting potting soil and sticking it in the ground as well as watering so I do need these tips. I love fresh garden tomatoes, you can never get that taste from a grocery store tomatoe

    Reply
  50. AvatarKathy Wilson says

    December 5, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    Maybe we will try this next spring. Good idea!

    Reply
  51. Avatarjack slonim says

    December 5, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    I did not know about placing the plant on its side. Great to know.

    Reply
  52. AvatarPat F says

    December 5, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    My husband loves to garden and each summer we have a large garden. He loves reading all the tips and advice that you share TY !

    Reply
  53. AvatarChristy Keen says

    December 5, 2020 at 7:42 pm

    Yes, I plan on growing lots of big tomatoes this year, got to canning more this summer!

    Reply
  54. AvatarMargaret says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    Good Information, I’ll have to try it next spring.

    Reply
  55. Avatarpaige chandler says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    I would eat these with mozzarella and oil and balsamic. Mmmmm

    Reply
  56. AvatarSharon Rooney says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    When my Dad used to grow tomatoes I believe he used to use fish heads. His tomatoes were always big and delicious.

    Reply
  57. AvatarTony Platz says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    Best method ever Native Americans have used fish for centuries like this .

    Reply
  58. AvatarSharon says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    Ooh, GREAT ideas! Can’t wait to try them all, come spring! Thanks!

    Reply
  59. AvatarConnie says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    Seems likea lot to add to get bigger tomatos. But if you fish thats free. and lot of the other stuff. SSince I don’t really grow any more. I will share this with my son who does garden.

    Reply
  60. AvatarDeb says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:27 pm

    I’ve never heard of using fish. Wow

    Reply
  61. Avatarrhonda Hagy miller says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    WE always put our seafood rubbish around out plants..oyster shells and shrimp shell are great!

    Reply
  62. AvatarCathy Cole says

    December 5, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    Those tomatoes 🍅 look so delicious can’t wait to start my own garden soon

    Reply
    • Laura SproullLaura Sproull says

      December 6, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      I’m so excited for you Cathy!!!! You will quickly grow addicted to this fun hobby.

      Reply
  63. AvatarSandra McFadden says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:32 pm

    I have always used fish and egg shells and asprin in my planting medium. Works wonders also use coffee grounds and water sometimes with left over coffee when I have some…….

    Reply
  64. AvatarMargareth Wlodarski says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    Since I moved to Florida all I do is feed aphids and horn worms nothing tomato like has grown a hard green marble rotted on vine once

    Reply
  65. AvatarJennifer Phillips says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:49 pm

    Your tips for tomatoes are wonderful and so very helpful!

    Reply
  66. AvatarTina says

    December 5, 2020 at 10:49 pm

    never have luck with tomatoes

    Reply
  67. Avatarmary rudy says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:24 pm

    My neighbor put decaying wet leaves in every hole she dug for plants.

    Reply
  68. AvatarLisa Cress says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:38 pm

    I planted crushed egg shells with my tomatoes this year and when I went to the garden the next day, some critter had dug up the plants to get to the eggshells! Thanks!

    Reply
  69. AvatarJana S says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:54 pm

    Thank you for the great ideas!!! I already trench and plant tomato on their sides but never thought to keep them on their side for a couple days before planting. the pvc is an awesome idea. I will be implementing these next season.

    Reply
  70. AvatarJennifer Wilson says

    December 6, 2020 at 12:03 am

    We love growing tomatoes every year. I’ll have to try some of your tips!

    Reply
  71. AvatarMelanie Johnson says

    December 6, 2020 at 12:12 am

    This sounds like a really good idea. AND I want tomatoes as big as Tom’s – or bigger. Ha ha.

    Reply
  72. AvatarCOREY says

    December 6, 2020 at 12:19 am

    mmm tomatoes

    Reply
  73. AvatarMilly Voskanyan says

    December 6, 2020 at 12:36 am

    Home grown tomatoes are the best!!

    Reply
  74. AvatarNancy Jachcik says

    December 6, 2020 at 1:17 am

    A lot of work but with great results!

    Reply
  75. AvatarGayle Watkins says

    December 6, 2020 at 1:23 am

    I wish we had a spot to grow tomatoes. This is great info and I would like to try your tips. Not sure I could stomach the fish heads though!

    Reply
  76. AvatarSizzle B says

    December 6, 2020 at 1:27 am

    Love the fresh vibes y’all bring!

    Reply
  77. AvatarLisa says

    December 6, 2020 at 2:05 am

    I never knew about planting tomatoes on their sides. That’s a great tip. I have heard about using fish parts. I always heard that was something Native Americans did. Aspirin is something I did not know was good for tomato plants, however.

    Reply
  78. AvatarJulie Waldron says

    December 6, 2020 at 2:41 am

    These are some great tips! I’ve never heard of using aspirin, I will have to remember that.

    Reply
  79. AvatarELAINE PITENIS says

    December 6, 2020 at 3:11 am

    Excellent gardening tips! Thanks!

    Reply
  80. AvatarMary Alletto says

    December 6, 2020 at 3:21 am

    I have been growing tomatos for 40 years and am excited to try a new fertilizer. Fish heads sound great. I do use organic compost and will try your ideas. Thanks.

    Reply
  81. AvatarCarolyn Barnett says

    December 6, 2020 at 4:10 am

    i wish i had found your site years ago. you have the best tips ad information ever!

    Reply
  82. AvatarShelly says

    December 6, 2020 at 5:14 am

    Interesting articles!! thumbs up!

    Reply
  83. AvatarJoanna says

    December 6, 2020 at 5:28 am

    Great info. Especially about aspirin and tomatoes !

    Reply
  84. AvatarMayra Morales says

    December 6, 2020 at 6:33 am

    Fantastic love everything gardening! Love it great tips hi! From NJ

    Reply
  85. AvatarDale Steele Nicolov says

    December 6, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Great ideas!i will share these with my husband.I know this may sound strange to some people but I had a friend who said he tried an experiment. He feed some of his tomatoes with urine because it is high in nitrogen. The tomatoes he did this with grew better than those untreated. I guess it is not that different than using manure.

    Reply
  86. Avatarcandy says

    December 6, 2020 at 10:05 am

    wow!! My dad fishes all the time and he grows tomatoes. I will have to pass this along

    Reply
  87. AvatarHarry Avers says

    December 6, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Tomatoes are so good. love the Blog

    Reply
  88. AvatarTressie says

    December 6, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Hmmm, Now I know. I will share this with my husband who does most of the prep work.

    Reply
  89. AvatarPeggy Nunn says

    December 6, 2020 at 1:37 pm

    These are great tips and just in time. We have an early planting season in the South. Thank you for all the information.

    Reply
  90. AvatarPaula Stafford says

    December 6, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    Love growing tomatoes and canning them. Taste so much better than the store tomatoes.

    Reply
  91. AvatarMolli Taylor says

    December 6, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    wow these are some good tips! gotta get my garden in gear next year!

    Reply
  92. AvatarKriss K says

    December 6, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    I couldn’t deal with fish heads but would love great tomatoes.

    Reply
  93. AvatarKaren Petrychko says

    December 6, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    These are some very great ideas that we will want to put to use in our little garden.

    Reply
  94. AvatarRenetta Endlich says

    December 6, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    That is really interesting – appreciate the tips

    Reply
  95. AvatarDeanna Barkley says

    December 6, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Great tips. I will be visiting your blog more often.

    Reply
  96. AvatarCheryl Larimer says

    December 6, 2020 at 5:19 pm

    Holy buckets that is a lot of great information! Some I have used (fish) and most I have not. I’ll be using these tips next spring when I plant my garden again. Thanks for the detailed info and pictures too!

    Reply
  97. AvatarLinda Beaton says

    December 6, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    Lots of great growing tips here! Thank you!

    Reply
  98. AvatarKimberly M says

    December 6, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Wow I have to save this article for next year and my tomato garden. Thank you for the helpful hints to make my tomatoes the best.

    Reply
  99. AvatarJason Wile says

    December 6, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    Tomatoes are my favourite food.

    Reply
  100. AvatarShellie Clark says

    December 6, 2020 at 7:20 pm

    Great tips thanks

    Reply
  101. AvatarDominica McCoy says

    December 6, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks for the info. definitely helpful.

    Reply
  102. AvatarShannon Cherms says

    December 6, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    My honey loves his tomatoes! Heirloom tomatoes are his absolute favorite! Great information for his next grow!

    Reply
  103. AvatarMelton C McKinney says

    December 6, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    I use to have another brand of trash can like this and it never worked.
    This would be perfect for my apartment due to my limitations.

    Reply
  104. AvatarLisa says

    December 6, 2020 at 10:00 pm

    Good information. Much I didn’t know about. I’m new to gardening. This will help out a lot.

    Reply
  105. AvatarChas says

    December 7, 2020 at 2:26 am

    I interesting articles!

    Reply
  106. AvatarRena Walter says

    December 7, 2020 at 2:36 am

    We do love tomatoes fresh out of the garden!

    Reply
  107. AvatarKathy Pierce says

    December 7, 2020 at 2:51 am

    I love growing home grown tomatoes and I am always looking for helpful hints to make the process better.

    Reply
  108. Avatarsandra burns says

    December 7, 2020 at 4:00 am

    I wish I could grow tomatoes!!

    Reply
  109. AvatarShelly Miller says

    December 7, 2020 at 4:14 am

    makes sense to put the plants on the side! Great ideas, ty!

    Reply
  110. AvatarCharu Nagarajan says

    December 7, 2020 at 4:30 am

    Wow These tomatoes are certainly heavy feeders. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  111. AvatarMichael Coovert says

    December 7, 2020 at 11:13 am

    Tomatoes have to be my favorite summer produce. I eat all kinds in many different ways, but nothing beats just cold raw tomatoes.

    Reply
  112. AvatarK. Landers says

    December 7, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    Great tips! I have issues with squirrels and feral cats digging into my raised beds. I feel the added fish may make it worse.

    Reply
  113. AvatarAnita Kennett says

    December 7, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    I didn’t know about this

    Reply
  114. AvatarRichard Dinwiddie, Jr. says

    December 7, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    Very thorough, I have never used all of these ideas at the same time, but never had great success either, I will give it a try!

    Reply
  115. AvatarRosanne Robinson says

    December 7, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks so much for your helpful tips! Your tomatoes look super yummy!

    Reply
  116. AvatarMelinda Barlow says

    December 7, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    Love these ideas. Love the idea to lay plants on their sides for a couple of days. Going to implement these ideas next spring.

    Reply
  117. AvatarTERESA DALMAN says

    December 7, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    Great tips and tricks… thank you

    Reply
  118. AvatarTerry Poage says

    December 7, 2020 at 9:06 pm

    You are an amazing gardner. Those tomatoes are beautiful.

    Reply
  119. AvatarBrittany Gilley says

    December 7, 2020 at 10:30 pm

    I’ll try aspirin next summer

    Reply
  120. AvatarJill H says

    December 8, 2020 at 1:42 am

    Didn’t get any fishing in this year but great info for growing tomatoes.

    Reply
  121. AvatarRon Weinberg says

    December 8, 2020 at 3:22 am

    Who would have guessed, fish heads. I learn something new every day.

    Reply
  122. AvatarJasmine Claxton says

    December 8, 2020 at 6:10 am

    What a surprising article!

    Reply
  123. AvatarBrian M. Teater says

    December 8, 2020 at 11:07 am

    Thanks for the wonderful tips; I’ll put them to use during the next growing season!

    Reply
  124. AvatarAntoinette M says

    December 8, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Great info. I’ll keep this in mind for next time.

    Reply
  125. AvatarKariLorr says

    December 8, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Thanks for the detailed guide. This will be a big help this spring.

    Reply
  126. AvatarLeela says

    December 9, 2020 at 3:33 am

    Lots of great tips for growing tomatoes.

    Reply
  127. AvatarMichael Villani says

    December 9, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    Love the tips!

    Reply
  128. AvatarLaurie Nykaza says

    December 10, 2020 at 3:04 am

    Thank you for these amazing tips to grow tomatoes that look so good. I didn’t know about doing the fish either. Will have to do the laying on there side and share this post with my family and friends so they can do it too.

    Reply
  129. AvatarPaula S. says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:11 am

    Thanks for the info!

    Reply
  130. AvatarBeth B. says

    December 12, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    Fascinating tips! I’ve never heard about the fish.

    Reply
  131. AvatarChristine F. says

    December 12, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    Yes I am ready! I love your trellis idea, it looks great. Thank you!

    Reply
  132. AvatarRose Reeder says

    December 13, 2020 at 11:39 am

    Our son always brings us fresh tomatoes-great tips

    Reply
  133. AvatarAmber Lee Kolb says

    December 13, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    This is such a great idea! Way easier than lugging two hoses across the yard.

    Reply
  134. AvatarDonna Rooney says

    December 13, 2020 at 10:42 pm

    Never heard of some of these tips. Thanks they really are great.

    Reply
  135. AvatarJudy Rittenhouse says

    December 13, 2020 at 11:15 pm

    Thanks for these tomato growing techniques. I will definitely try the aspirin and fish head tips next tomato season!

    Reply
  136. AvatarBetty Curran says

    December 14, 2020 at 4:22 am

    My son is the gardener in our family. I will share this with him.

    Reply
  137. AvatarSusan Marina Brown Lane says

    December 14, 2020 at 4:45 am

    I bookmarked this so I can show it to my husband. I would like to try this.

    Reply

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about laura sproull

about laura sproull

Hi! I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!

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