Tomatoes - any time - create boon for Northeast Texas couple

By KRISTY HEMMINGSEN | East Texas Edition

August 29, 2002 -- Hydroponic technology may sound a little too "technical" of a term when it's linked to just growing some tomatoes, right?

But, according to Fred and Dorothy Boger, owners and operators of J.B. Tomato Farm in Diana, it's really quite simple.

In fact, the Upshur County couple said the main idea behind the process has basically been used for centuries.

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water and fertilizers) with or without the use of artificial mediums such as sand, gravel, or sawdust, to provide mechanical support.

They said the process, which requires the use of a greenhouse, basically gives anyone, anywhere, the ability to grow quality vine-ripe tomatoes no matter the climate or season.

After doing a lot of research on tomatoes and hydroponics (which they still do today), the Bogers built their first greenhouse in 1999, and successfully produced their first crop of tomatoes 120 days later.

As word-of-mouth advertising about the tomatoes spread, as well as having a roadside stand in their front yard (which is on a major highway), the Boger's tomato business took-off.

Rumors in the area of what a vine-ripe hydroponic tomato really was and what it could do were on the rise as well.

The tomato, in general, is considered a valuable source of Vitamins A and C, offers minerals, and is low in sodium.

But, according to the Bogers, local doctors were especially excited about "their" tomatoes, claiming these specially-grown fruit were a good way to prevent and battle cancer, and would often refer their patients to the farm (and still do.)

Today, the Bogers say they have over a thousand customers, yet only two greenhouses, which produce approximately 60,000 to 70,000 pounds of tomatoes each season. (Harvest typically begins around Thanksgiving and lasts until the following June.)

Each of the Boger's 30-foot by 96-foot greenhouse "set-ups" (an approximate $30,000 investment) provide temperature control, reduce evaporative water loss, and can reduce disease and pest infestations. Each house is covered with polyethylene sheet film, which the Bogers double-up to add extra strength and endurance.

At the beginning of each season, the Bogers take several weeks to clean and disinfect the houses, equipment, and supplies; then begin to plant new seedlings, which they buy from a company in Florida.

The seedlings are grown in "seedling trays" and receive enough nutrients available to them for the first few weeks of growth, and therefore are simply watered with fresh water only for germinating.

"It is important for the seedlings to be in full sun and at the proper temperature as soon as germination occurs," explained Fred. "When watering, the water must be sprinkled uniformly over all seedlings to avoid uneven growth and the plants must be checked often to assure they do not become water stressed."

After about three to four weeks, two plants are transferred into one bato bucket. These buckets have drainage holes allowing water to drain underneath into the PVC drainage pipe below. The buckets are filled with pine bark, which is used to hold the root system together.

Depending on the time of year, the plants are automatically fed their water/nutrient mixture. "In June (end of season) the plants are fed sometimes 64 times a day," explained Fred. "In December, it maybe only takes 12 times a day because of the cooler weather."

Fred said both day and night temperatures influence plant vigor, leaf size, leaf expansion rate, and time to fruit development. He said daytime and nighttime temperatures should be carefully monitored. For tomatoes, daytime temperatures should be 70° to 79° F and nighttime temperatures around 61° to 65° F.

The Bogers say the vegetative growth of the plant is continual and does not stop once flowering begins and leads to long tomato "vines" which must be trained up strings (baling twine and clips, in their houses) hanging from the greenhouse structures used to extend plant to ceiling in order to maximize space and manage the crop.

"Our plants get over 40-feet high," explained Dorothy. "Therefore, with our houses only being 40 feet tall, we have to gradually 'lower and lean' the plants off and on."

Tomato flowers are normally wind-pollinated, however there is not enough air movement in a crowded greenhouse to ensure good pollination. As a result, Dorothy chooses to pollinate by shaking the plants with her hands.

"The other option is bees," she explained. "But I rather keep doing what I'm doing because bees can sometimes over-pollinate and I certainly don't care for when they sting."

At peak season, the couple hires a few high school kids to help out. During this time of the year it takes only about 20 hours a week to maintain the operation, but they claim the extra help comes in handy.

The principal disadvantages of hydroponics, according to the Bogers, relative to conventional open-field agriculture, can be the high costs of capital and energy inputs, which they claim is still not that bad.

One big expense is heating and cooling, but the Bogers are always looking for ways to reduce costs. Artificial heat can be gained from furnaces, electric heat, or natural gas; and cooling can come from cool cell system and fans.

At one time the Bogers relied on natural gas to heat their greenhouses. They spent as much as $836 a month, each house, to do so. Now, they primarily use wood-burning furnaces and have cut the cost to $106.

The Bogers say they truly enjoy what they deem as their "hobby" and really aren't interested in getting rich. (They sell their tomatoes for $1.50 a pound.)

"It's simple and a great way to meet a lot of interesting people," said Fred. "Our only problem is that we can't grow enough."

They also said they would love to see more people doing it and would love to share any information. (The Bogers can be reached by phone at 903-968-2206.)