Ready to plant started Big Beef. A few plants are 28” hi with stems near the bottom. If I plant even 10” deep bottom stems will be underground. Should they be cut off before planting? Does it even make a difference.

Tomatoes will root out of extra stems planted. I have seen guys lay plants sideways to plant for extra rooting along stem.

We always lay our mater plants down and bend the tops up as we cover

^^^°this^^^^

Yup,,we call it Trench Planting.

Yepper, and I like dropping an egg in the bottom to keep them from blossom end rotting. I heard it's the calcium in the shell that prevents it. It has worked well for me for the past number of years that I've been doing it.

I put a couple Tums under them and they get the calcium from that.And yes the calcium prevents blossom end rot.

Thanks for the info.

Yep. The way to go. All of that stem below soil level will throw out new roots. But plant it too deep and the soil isn't warm enough.

I use powered milk for the calcium.

You can put egg shells in the blender to powder and sprinkle that in the hole when planting for calcium.

Most commercial growers and some T-man members trim off the bottom branches when the plant gets growing so there in at least 8-10 inches of clearance from dirt to the lowest branch off the main stem,

Also, Google how to pinch off suckers.

50lb bag of lime likely about the cost of a dozen eggs these days and will go much farther for calcium if you like to eat your eggs

Fertilize first time with 20-20-20 worked into soil at planting. Second time with calcium nitrate. Third time with 20-20-20. Then calcium nitrate from then on. Fertilize every two weeks and keep them watered.

Sucker since it is indeterminate. Get a strong study cage. Sucker every day or it will get away from you QUICKLY.

Spray with copper sulfate once a week to prevent blight. There are foliar and systemic fungus sprays also. Rotate. Don't wait on this. If you see the blight, you are usually too late. Check the fungal resistance of the seed. Heirlooms usually have zero resistance to anything. You can also spray the ground as a soil drench. This can help a lot.

Spray for bugs (organic or synthetic) once a week. Use a GARDEN insecticide. No yard insecticide. Same with rotation. Same soil drench.

Spraying is about prevention, not reaction. I mix all mine together and spray once a week.

Keep them healthy and protected and you will have a bountiful harvest.

Get a soil test this fall if you really want to give your plants the best chance. It's usually free or minimal charge.

And yes, plant them sideways for more soil coverage if you can. Otherwise get a post hole digger and plant them halfway underground.