sprawling advice

[johno]

Anybody who has grown tomatoes by the sprawl method, help me out here...

I might have to do this next year in field soil (i.e., my front yard :

There are so many factors to consider, but these three come to mind:
*spacing
*fertilization
*mulch

*In the old days, here in the Ozarks, they planted on freshly cleared forest land, on 4' centers. My yard is close enough to be the same kind of land, but are 4' centers realistic? The old types they used around here were for canning - mine won't be...

*The yard isn't fertilized. My thought is to dig a small hole for each plant and deposit a measure of manure/bone meal/wood ash for an all-purpose NPK boost. Keep in mind this is no small feat in itself, in my condition...

*Living mulch (grass) okay? Clover?

I'm considering either drip tape for watering, or bentonite in the NPK mix for water retention...

I was going to use 5 gallon bucket containers, but the cost of the soilless mix for the scale I'm thinking of would be prohibitive, unless my ship comes in... And my wife gave me a pretty serious frown at the idea...

Physical work and monetary output are both limiting factors...

What am I not thinking of?

Am I off my rocker?

[downinmyback]

Johno i was taught a method of planting by my Grandfather.
First dig the hole deeper than needed for planning the plant. Then put compost manure, fertilizer or lime in the hole then replace enough dirt so the plant is almost level with the top of the soil.
The reason you put dirt between the compost is so you will not burn the tender roots . By the time the roots reach the compost they are establish and not as tender. You will have the best plants you have ever had with a rootball twice the size of surface feeding.
Hope this helps.

[Alan]

Good idea down.

I have grow using sprawling here in southern indiana, mostly I lay down a row of runnoff newspaper (the roll that is too short to go through the paper machine) which you should be able to pick up free of charge from the local newspaper place, I plant directly through the paper, later I lay down a couple layers of paper down the pathway and let the tomatoes do their thing, I pre apply fertilizer before planting (cow manure and lime or ash) as well, it works really well, though I didn't use this method this year I have used it in past years and it will be making a return this year, for me this is the cheapest, most efficient way of producing a crop since I get the paper free, the fertilzer (minus lime) free, and I raise my own plants and save seeds, this year I'll also have the added advantage of a lot of free vermicompost which I am really excited about the possibilities.
-alan

[johno]

GREAT Ideas, guys! Thank you much!