Want to grow lots...but plagued by poor soil or limited space? The Japanese Tomato Ring allows you to grow 5 lush plants in a 3" x 3" space, which should supply any family with tomatoes
Want to grow a ton of tomatoes but are plagued by poor soil or limited space? The Japanese Tomato Ring allows you to grow 5 lush plants in a 3" x 3" space, which should supply any family with tomatoes from summer until frost.
The Japanese Tomato Ring basically takes advantage of two things – your compost pile and the tendency of the tomato plant to grow roots along the stem. The ring allows your compost pile to provide support and food for your plants while its contents break down and create soil for the next season. Growing plants camouflages the compost pile and actually makes it attractive.
Build your tomato ring from 4' tall heavy duty chicken wire and four to six strong bamboo or plastic poles. Mark out the perimeter of your ring on the ground and place your poles 18 apart, either in a ring or a square. Surround the stakes with wire and drive the bottom 6' - 8" of wire into the ground (use wire cutters and cut the bottom wire off the roll to create "legs" to help stabilize
ring.) Tie the ring together with plastic garbage bag loops or pieces of lighter wire (such as 14 or 16 gage).
Begin filling the cage with compost materials - grass clippings, shredded newspaper, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, etc. Add a small amount of a compost activator such as Ringer's to start the decomposition process. As the pile inside the cage gets smaller, add more compost materials and layer the "green matter" (grass clippings and plant matter) with the "brown matter" (newspaper, bark mulch, etc.)
Place tomato plants every 18 inches outside the cage and tie the stems loosely to the cage wires. Use a soft material such as old socks, pantyhose or jute string. Make sure all the "branches" of the plant are secured; otherwise, your plant may split in two from the weight of the growing tomatoes.
Water the tomato plants by directing the stream into the center of the tomato cage. This leaches beneficial nutrients and active microorganisms from the compost and sends it directly into the ground, offering the tomato plants nourishment with each watering.
As the season progresses, you may find that your tomato plants develop small "noodles" along the side of the stem that faces the tomato ring. These "nubs" are the beginnings of feeder roots; let the plant send these roots into the compost inside the ring. The more roots a plant develops, the more resistant it will be to stress caused by drought, insects and disease. By summer, your tomato plants will be adorned with red, gold, pink and orange fruits randomly spaced, making your composting area look like a William Morris print. Now is the time to harvest, slice, grab a salt shaker, munch and watch your favorite movie in air-conditioned comfort.
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