Hi Di,

Your question: On behalf of my friends with the start-up organic farm:

There are oak trees partially overhanging and surrounding one of thier fields. Tomatoes too near the oaks are not doing too well. Is there anything that might help support this year's plantings in that sort of location? What soil ammendments and schedule of application might help for the longeer term? Are there any crops that might be more compatible with the oak trees that could be planted ajacent to them next planting?

This year they have used a kelp foliar spray to feed their vegetables. Most of their crops and the leaves of those crops have nice brix readings and taste grest, store well. Problem was, foliar spraying either tended to burn the crops if less frequently done, or be quite time-intensive if done more dilute and more frequently. What soil ammendments on what type of schedule might eliminiate the need for much foliar spraying?

Also, there has been quite a problem with some of the tomatoes and melons splitting open. This is in two areas that, due to slope, may have higher pressure and get more water. Could that be part of the prob? Also, this happens in areas that are not mulched. So could it be due to extreme moisture and temp swimgs due to lack of mulch??? Or other things???


Answer: Have you ever heard about the firstest with the mostest wins the Battle ?

In this case the Oak tree is the 1st and has the mostest roots in the feeding pot!

So, do not try competing with it with garden plants !

For it may be like going to a Gun fight with a pocket knife ?

The Best thing to do, may be to let weeds grow next to the tree in the summer and work these into the soil each month for food for the soil life and then in the colder months of the year, when the trees are Dormant, one may grow winter greens ?

As to the question about Foliar feeding at higher rates "ONLY", ever so often vs needing to do it many more times, but in more Dilute manner: Maybe one should consider if "WE" would like to eat "ONLY" 1 time a month "OR" do "WE" also like to eat every Day and sometimes more than 1 time ?

Could it be that more often in more Dilute amounts may be the Best way to get Positive Results ?

Do they want Positive Results ?

They need to get a mist blower that can cover a 100 foot reach at each pass thru the field to spray with and put on the Dilute amounts for Best Results !

Again about tomatoes and melons splitting open, when not mulched ?

This is one of the Reasons for the Importance of Mulching, to provide a steady Mosture supply and Temperature control to the growing plants, so these problems do not bother the crops as much !

Ask them how they would like to have plenty of water to drink for 5 days and then not have "ANYTHING" to drink for 20 Days, just how much fun would this be ?

Smile Tis your choice.