Tomato Liberation Front!!!

[Anne_in_VA]

Wow!  Who knew?  I guess I'll check the can next time I buy them.  

[NastyWoman]

Jul 12, 2017 17:36:04 GMT -5 justme said:

Jul 12, 2017 16:24:46 GMT -5 Anne_in_VA said:

Hey beer, is there a brand of the San Marzano tomatoes you like best?  There are several brands available depending on where Inshop, but Cento eems to be most prevalent.

I use Cento. At my supermarket it's the only brand from Italy that doesn't add anything to the tomatoes.

These and other brands are to be had in my favorite "everything" store -> Amazon

[beergut]

Jul 12, 2017 16:24:46 GMT -5 Anne_in_VA said:

Hey beer, is there a brand of the San Marzano tomatoes you like best?  There are several brands available depending on where Inshop, but Cento eems to be most prevalent.

 Cento is my brand of choice. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Should I bury a pumice stone under my sm tomatoes next year?

[dannylion]

Jul 13, 2017 9:38:57 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Should I bury a pumice stone under my sm tomatoes next year?

You can add Epsom salts to the soil to provide beneficial minerals, particularly magnesium, which improves the plant's ability to take up calcium, sort of like the way it works in humans to get dietary calcium into bones.   Powdered limestone is a good way to add calcium to the soil.  I had a neighbor who used to use match heads instead of Epsom salts as a magnesium supplement for tomato plants.  Epsom salts are easier (and less likely to burst into flame).  Not sure it is possible to replicate the mineral composition of volcanic soil, but it can't hurt to experiment!

[kittensaver]

Jul 13, 2017 10:57:51 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Jul 13, 2017 9:38:57 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Should I bury a pumice stone under my sm tomatoes next year?

You can add Epsom salts to the soil to provide beneficial minerals, particularly magnesium, which improves the plant's ability to take up calcium, sort of like the way it works in humans to get dietary calcium into bones.   Powdered limestone is a good way to add calcium to the soil.  I had a neighbor who used to use match heads instead of Epsom salts as a magnesium supplement for tomato plants.  Epsom salts are easier (and less likely to burst into flame).  Not sure it is possible to replicate the mineral composition of volcanic soil, but it can't hurt to experiment!

Pulverized egg shells work great too. Save them from your kitchen all year, air dry them thoroughly and grind them up via your favorite method (there are several). Store the dried, pulverized shells in an old jar with a tight fitting lid, and then work them into the soil in the spring when you start your planting.

Much cheaper than buying soil supplements at the garden center - and one less item in landfill   

[Rukh O'Rorke]

not sure how generic gardening relates to the suppose volcanic ash theory of tomato taste

[dannylion]

Jul 15, 2017 13:57:42 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

not sure how generic gardening relates to the suppose volcanic ash theory of tomato taste

Well, I did include a disclaimer.  I was simply offering suggestions on how to introduce some of the minerals found in volcanic soil, but I am probably too stupid to express myself clearly, so please accept my apologies.

[beergut]

Jul 15, 2017 14:47:06 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Jul 15, 2017 13:57:42 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

not sure how generic gardening relates to the suppose volcanic ash theory of tomato taste

Well, I did include a disclaimer.  I was simply offering suggestions on how to introduce some of the minerals found in volcanic soil, but I am probably too stupid to express myself clearly, so please accept my apologies.

 No need to apologize, I thought your thoughts on how to replicate volcanic ash in the soil was well-presented and interesting.