Magnesium deficiency in tomatoes appears as interveinal chlorosis and greenback fruit. Blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency and/or uneven watering. Magnesium sulfate aka epsom salt can help with blossom end rot simply because the plants tend to uptake magnesium and calcium together in similar amounts, so extra magnesium can enable the plant to get extra calcium from the soil too. You can tissue test the plants by sending in leaf samples to a lab once the first fruit set reaches around 2.5cm diameter in its green immature color. The tissue test will tell you if the plants have any excesses or deficiencies, giving you time to correct before any fruit ripens. Agree that delaying the planting was a good idea. One year you may want to try one row (or half a row) where you plant at 50 cm spacing instead of 20 cm and putting in a 4 - 6 week old transplant where you do not remove initial flower clusters. I expect you may find similar yields to your existing system and have less work in planting, time caring for transplants, pruning and wrapping around the string. Overly dense planting with low air flow can limit the plants from transpiring enough to move minerals up where they are needed. Your past tomato crops have been productive for sure. Still always interesting to try new ways to see if improvements are possible. This is not meant to be any criticism of what you are doing now. Much respect to anyone who can get decent yields of tomatoes in northern climates without supplemental heat!
i literally just commented saying i had heard epsom salt was a myth as it has nothing to do with calcium but this makes sense do you have references by chance?
@@am0ntgy I used to grow organic greenhouse tomatoes for a living and much of my knowledge on specific mineral issues came from conversations with the pro conventional hydroponic growers, as they really know how to tinker with nutrients. So I tapped their experience even thought I was not growing in their style. These guys pretty much pass their knowledge down through their families and colleagues and not through the academic side with published papers. I am sorry not to have published references. It took me a while to remember how the Mg could possibly help, but without tissue testing it's hard to know what's really happening. For Richard this is just an ancillary crop so I don't know how far down the rabbit hole of learning and crop management he is interested in pursuing. He's satisfied with what he's doing and focuses his attention on what makes maximum impact overall on his farm.
Yes, I think that's correct about end rot and calcium. I messed up in my explanation. We had end rot in the 2 beds I described and we made Calphos with egg shells to treat that. We use epsom salts for the characteristic yellowing of magnesium deficiency we see in a few here, and have seen in the past. Sometimes I am free-speaking and it doesn't come out right. I agree with what you write, and with the sentiments of Pat Black too....
Not a farmer, just a home gardener, but have been watching and learning good tips for a while. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing. Helping to keep us, friends and neighbors fed during this insanity in NJ.
Richard in your video with Curtis Stone you mentioned something regarding the second milking of the cows and an additional two liters. Can you talk more about that?
Oh, I also turned my front and back yard into market garden starting three years ago. My neighbours complained at the beginning, now they are asking for advise...ha ha ha kinda seen this coming. Thank you for being a great resource.
I compost specifically for tomato myself with bakery scraps, coffee grounds and banana peels being two key ingredients, both have good amounts of magnesium and all organic and for free, I dunno if it offers sufficient quantities for your operation however.
Hey Richard, I was approached by indigenous community members to start 'farming' there land for the sole purpose of feeding our people 'healthier food' while selling the excess to the public. I understand the crop selection may differ as our main goal is not driven by high profit, that is basically all I would want to differ from your style of regenerative agriculture and market gardening. There is also a bigger picture of community composting, fisheries, education employment and land management to work in harmony with the market gardening and pastured livestock. I have be studying Curtis Stone, Joel Salatin, Elliot Coleman, JM Fortier and of coarse yourself for years now, and feel confident the Regenerative agriculture is the only way I would be willing to do this. My question to you is, what do you think is the best way to get started? Read your books while writing a business plan?
Just start. I don't believe there is a "best way" to get started as everything depends on every unique circumstances. So the best advice is always to start small. Start growing some beds of vegetables, investigate some animal production if you desire and work out what works for you, where the needs are and refine your space and activities accordingly.
HI, where do you get your hot water shrink bags from ? I can only find them from the USA and wondered if you know of anywhere in Europe that supplies them ? Thanks.
Thanks for the update Richard. Cool to see what you have going on. Flea beetle is bad over here in the north western U.S. this year. Winter didnt get cold enough.
I have looked at your Farmers Tools pages, but find the catalogue only shows a blank set of boxes seemingly waiting to be filled in? Is this yet to be set up? Or a glitch?
Thanks for the video once again Richard - A question regarding your grazing planning - do you keep the chickens (broiler) in a separate field rotation than the flerd or is there timed broiler impact post cow/sheep graze? the laying hens i assume follow the flerd by 4 days.
Love the update! As a butcher i appreciate your slaughter videos. Great work and love the efficiency. Though, I had read that using Epsom salt for blossom end rot is actually a myth. Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency, and Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, not calcium.
I believe the calcium deficiency is more to do with the plant, and not the soil. It is rare for the soil to lack calcium, so unlikely that adding calcium will improve it. One preventative is to make absolutely sure that the soil never gets too dry, as a good, constant supply of water is essential if you want to prevent this problem. Magnesium is at the centre of plant health; an essential element in photosynthesis and for the structure of the plant, so Epsom Salts providing that magnesium will help the plant stay strong and in the best of health, thus reducing the risk of any internal or external force affecting the plant. (like us, really!)
@@thetessellater9163 Yes, tomato plants when water stressed can draw water from the fruit ends and abort that portion of the fruit, leading to blossom end rot. The very high density spacing in this example will certainly need a good deal of consistent water application.
Hi Richard, is the flea beetle pressure reduction the result of changes in management, weather, or a lucky break? Loving the videos as always, and can't wait to learn more from the other heroes! Its really appreciated, thanks!
@@vegout4085 applying Kaolinite powder apparently helps. But the beetles overwinter in the soil so soil solarization before planting could assist with control. Or try to sterilise your soil and then reintroduce beneficial microbes.
Maby it would be good idea to let the Chicken walk around or next to the garden area to see if they can eat all the "flea beetle" early in the spring ?
I am in the States and have been trying to figure out how to by the hard copy of the Book from the web page and it won’t let me. Anyone know how to work this out?
How great me/we thou art with serifs. Putting and keeping it all together in self/physical ☯️🎶🌏🌍🌎. Mother Nature Real Universal Love Energy Sublime is. Pandemic/infodemic. Enough is enough. Pause and consider extractivism in Latin America and soil erosion, over consumption, waste disposal/pollution, spirituality. Radio One Music/Magic interconnection in the air here and now ☯️🎶🌏🌍🌎
Love seeing how and what your growing - great tips and great learning always from your channel - Thank you
Magnesium deficiency in tomatoes appears as interveinal chlorosis and greenback fruit. Blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency and/or uneven watering. Magnesium sulfate aka epsom salt can help with blossom end rot simply because the plants tend to uptake magnesium and calcium together in similar amounts, so extra magnesium can enable the plant to get extra calcium from the soil too. You can tissue test the plants by sending in leaf samples to a lab once the first fruit set reaches around 2.5cm diameter in its green immature color. The tissue test will tell you if the plants have any excesses or deficiencies, giving you time to correct before any fruit ripens.
Agree that delaying the planting was a good idea. One year you may want to try one row (or half a row) where you plant at 50 cm spacing instead of 20 cm and putting in a 4 - 6 week old transplant where you do not remove initial flower clusters. I expect you may find similar yields to your existing system and have less work in planting, time caring for transplants, pruning and wrapping around the string. Overly dense planting with low air flow can limit the plants from transpiring enough to move minerals up where they are needed. Your past tomato crops have been productive for sure. Still always interesting to try new ways to see if improvements are possible. This is not meant to be any criticism of what you are doing now. Much respect to anyone who can get decent yields of tomatoes in northern climates without supplemental heat!
i literally just commented saying i had heard epsom salt was a myth as it has nothing to do with calcium but this makes sense do you have references by chance?
@@am0ntgy I used to grow organic greenhouse tomatoes for a living and much of my knowledge on specific mineral issues came from conversations with the pro conventional hydroponic growers, as they really know how to tinker with nutrients. So I tapped their experience even thought I was not growing in their style. These guys pretty much pass their knowledge down through their families and colleagues and not through the academic side with published papers. I am sorry not to have published references. It took me a while to remember how the Mg could possibly help, but without tissue testing it's hard to know what's really happening. For Richard this is just an ancillary crop so I don't know how far down the rabbit hole of learning and crop management he is interested in pursuing. He's satisfied with what he's doing and focuses his attention on what makes maximum impact overall on his farm.
@@patblack2291 Love the knowledge man ! Respect my brother ! Thank you
Yes, I think that's correct about end rot and calcium. I messed up in my explanation. We had end rot in the 2 beds I described and we made Calphos with egg shells to treat that. We use epsom salts for the characteristic yellowing of magnesium deficiency we see in a few here, and have seen in the past. Sometimes I am free-speaking and it doesn't come out right. I agree with what you write, and with the sentiments of Pat Black too....
@@patblack2291 i didnt mean to sound caddy, i was genuinely just looking to read abit about this but thank you for the explanation !!
Not a farmer, just a home gardener, but have been watching and learning good tips for a while. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing. Helping to keep us, friends and neighbors fed during this insanity in NJ.
The garden state?
You feel soooooooooo much more relaxed in the last few videos! Still focussed and sharp, but chilled and in a good mood! Lovely to see.
Richard in your video with Curtis Stone you mentioned something regarding the second milking of the cows and an additional two liters. Can you talk more about that?
Oh, I also turned my front and back yard into market garden starting three years ago. My neighbours complained at the beginning, now they are asking for advise...ha ha ha kinda seen this coming. Thank you for being a great resource.
What did they complain about? 😅
Richard and Hanna have, what we call it in the NE USA, their shit together., their ducks in a row, Both figuratively and literally.
I compost specifically for tomato myself with bakery scraps, coffee grounds and banana peels being two key ingredients, both have good amounts of magnesium and all organic and for free, I dunno if it offers sufficient quantities for your operation however.
Hey Richard, I was approached by indigenous community members to start 'farming' there land for the sole purpose of feeding our people 'healthier food' while selling the excess to the public. I understand the crop selection may differ as our main goal is not driven by high profit, that is basically all I would want to differ from your style of regenerative agriculture and market gardening. There is also a bigger picture of community composting, fisheries, education employment and land management to work in harmony with the market gardening and pastured livestock. I have be studying Curtis Stone, Joel Salatin, Elliot Coleman, JM Fortier and of coarse yourself for years now, and feel confident the Regenerative agriculture is the only way I would be willing to do this. My question to you is, what do you think is the best way to get started? Read your books while writing a business plan?
Just start. I don't believe there is a "best way" to get started as everything depends on every unique circumstances. So the best advice is always to start small. Start growing some beds of vegetables, investigate some animal production if you desire and work out what works for you, where the needs are and refine your space and activities accordingly.
HI, where do you get your hot water shrink bags from ? I can only find them from the USA and wondered if you know of anywhere in Europe that supplies them ? Thanks.
This video is so relaxing. Thank you, Richard, for sharing with us & have a great weekend.
Loving these updates brother :) Can't wait to get over to you, meet you and learn and share some cool stuff ! Big Love man Jody
Thanks for the update Richard. Cool to see what you have going on. Flea beetle is bad over here in the north western U.S. this year. Winter didnt get cold enough.
Love your videos and just bought your book. I cant wait for it to come!
same !!
Love the farm updates ! The knowledge to change nearly ANY landscape into a fruitful enterprise is right here 😁
Very little flea beetle pressure in Ireland also
I have looked at your Farmers Tools pages, but find the catalogue only shows a blank set of boxes seemingly waiting to be filled in? Is this yet to be set up? Or a glitch?
Witch music is best for the plants growth ?
Thanks for the video once again Richard - A question regarding your grazing planning - do you keep the chickens (broiler) in a separate field rotation than the flerd or is there timed broiler impact post cow/sheep graze? the laying hens i assume follow the flerd by 4 days.
How do you adjust tension on tomatoes' support lines while plants grow? Tks
Love the update! As a butcher i appreciate your slaughter videos. Great work and love the efficiency. Though, I had read that using Epsom salt for blossom end rot is actually a myth. Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency, and Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, not calcium.
I believe the calcium deficiency is more to do with the plant, and not the soil. It is rare for the soil to lack calcium, so unlikely that adding calcium will improve it. One preventative is to make absolutely sure that the soil never gets too dry, as a good, constant supply of water is essential if you want to prevent this problem. Magnesium is at the centre of plant health; an essential element in photosynthesis and for the structure of the plant, so Epsom Salts providing that magnesium will help the plant stay strong and in the best of health, thus reducing the risk of any internal or external force affecting the plant. (like us, really!)
@@thetessellater9163 Yes, tomato plants when water stressed can draw water from the fruit ends and abort that portion of the fruit, leading to blossom end rot. The very high density spacing in this example will certainly need a good deal of consistent water application.
Thanks for posting 👍🏻
Hi Richard, is the flea beetle pressure reduction the result of changes in management, weather, or a lucky break? Loving the videos as always, and can't wait to learn more from the other heroes! Its really appreciated, thanks!
Please reply Richard! I have flea beetle issues too, especially on early turnips and arugula. Would love to know how you won the battle. Thanks!
The flee beetles are corona quarantined
@@vegout4085 applying Kaolinite powder apparently helps. But the beetles overwinter in the soil so soil solarization before planting could assist with control. Or try to sterilise your soil and then reintroduce beneficial microbes.
Maby it would be good idea to let the Chicken walk around or next to the garden area to see if they can eat all the "flea beetle" early in the spring ?
I think you have aspen growing in your compost, they were crazy last year... if you remember... i have them everywere
Love your videos!
I was hoping 'advice from the wheelbarrow chair' would be a more regular thing
What price do you sell your broiler chickens for each
Good job young man
Right on!
What is the brine recipe for the smoked chickens?
He has the recipe in one of his previous videos.
Something I was always wondering about...how do you deal with male chicks? Is there any way around killing them if you have that many?
I am in the States and have been trying to figure out how to by the hard copy of the Book from the web page and it won’t let me. Anyone know how to work this out?
I bought it one month ago. No problem. Already arrived.
Already learning a bit every day. Amazing book!
How many people do you employ?
Can you do a vlog on smoking your chickens as I find this process interesting.
Scroll back through his stuff, he has made multiple of those.
Track ID intro theme, please?
How great me/we thou art with serifs. Putting and keeping it all together in self/physical ☯️🎶🌏🌍🌎. Mother Nature Real Universal Love Energy Sublime is. Pandemic/infodemic. Enough is enough. Pause and consider extractivism in Latin America and soil erosion, over consumption, waste disposal/pollution, spirituality. Radio One Music/Magic interconnection in the air here and now ☯️🎶🌏🌍🌎
Shouldn't both of you be wearing a beard cover when processing food?
Wouldn't pass health department inspection in our area
EU rules say 'YES'. Come on Richard you are flouting these rules.