I agree. By the way, I lived in Kansas for 17 years, and my grandson lives in Lawrence. I had some great gardens in Kansas with the good soil!

They taste so good that, as an old man, I'll take my chances.

Mark Twain commented that could say one shouldn't eat this or drink that because it is not good or your health. He then said, It's like paying a fortune for a dry cow. All you get is health."

In Florida, oh, yes. I only use an insecticide if I have an outbreak and use only one which biodegrades in 2 days.

I can send you some of the seeds from this year's crop -- for planting next year 00 if you will send me your mailing address using the messaging feature on this site.

I grow the plants from seeds from last year's crop, and nurture the plants very carefully..ve grow them, eat them, and share them with neighbors.

@wordywalt I salute you!! I love tomatoes fresh off the vine!

I use regular 10-10-10 fertilizer when putting the plants in the ground. Well into the growing season, I add some Miracle Gro occasionally

@wordywalt Thanks! Mine are going in soon. I'm going to try to follow that.

@KKGator When I apply the 10-10-10, I scatter it evenly across the surface and rake it in. Then I put the plant in the soil.

One other key to the size of the plants is a sturdy cage for each plant. I made my own tomato cages by using 5 foot high concrete reinforcing wire and making hoops 30 - 36 inches in diameter. As the plants grow, I train the branches on the wire of the cage, and keep doing that as the plant grows higher. The plants in the cages will grow 8 feet tall or more. My cages have lasted over 18 years. Other wire, like fence wire will also work.

And, by the way, My tomatoes are black heirloom -- really delicious If you can't get the black heirloom seeds, I would be happy to send you some later this year from this years crop.

@wordywalt How freakin' fabulous are you!!???? First off, thanks for the cage design info. I don't know if I'll try to make mine that big, but the fertilizer sounds like the way to go. As for the offer of seeds, YES PLEASE!!!! Whenever you're ready to send them, holler at your girl, and I'll send you my address in a private message.

@wordywalt Thank you so much! That's will be awesome!