New garden and newbie to it

[newgardener2016]

Hi, newbie to the site and to gardening. Live in Modesto, CA. So I decided to try gardening and what I have is tomato, jalapeño, strawberry and cucumber. Never grew anything before and was hoping to get some tips on growing. I uploaded some pics.
I planted tomato's, jalapeño and red strawberry around March 28th or so.
The cucumber I planted a couple days ago.
The strawberry in the 2 green planters I just did yesterday and they are actually white strawberry and apparently tastes like pineapple, mind blower when I saw them.
My tomato plant I'm not to sure about though by looking at a couple leaves ( pic uploaded )
All the soil is fresh and store bought from home depot.
Any suggestions for feeding, pest control and anything else that may help me out with tomato plant as well as all of them.
Thanks

 

[CuriousRose]

Welcome to the site! You are in a great area for gardening. I get strawberries from the valley every year because they are amazing!
I don't know enough about plants themselves yet to be able to troubleshoot too much. I do know that strawberries need a little more water than most of those other plants.
They say that planting marigolds near your tomatoes help keep pests away. I sprinkled small amounts of epsom salt and fertilizer around the base of my tomato plant and herbs last year every few weeks and they did really well.
Good luck!

 

[Fernsdaddy]

Welcome to the forum. Your tomatoes look good, your going to love the strawberries, they also will make great ground cover when the start to get bigger.

 

[Beth_B]

Welcome, looking good!

Don't over water and don't water from above (don't get leaves wet, you want to aim the water at the roots.) Use compost or compost tea to amend your soil. You're in a great area for gardening; you should have a fantastic harvest.

 

[newgardener2016]

I was suggested to use fish emulsion or compost manure. Fish emulsion would be more general to find at home depot out here? Any thoughts and ratio if any for fish emulsion?

 

[Beth_B]

Can't advise on the type of fertilizer you need but can I suggest going to a locally owned farm/garden store rather than Home Despot?
They're much more likely to have a wider range of products, plus more knowledgeable staff who should know what amendments (if any) your local soil may need.

 

[RamblingChicken]

I wouldn't worry about those little flaws on the tomato leaves. You say that you bought the soil--did it have any manure/compost/fertilizer in it? You might not need any fertilizer this soon, if so.

If not, then I'd suggest just getting some boxed or bagged fertilizer for vegetables, preferably organic, and applying it at the recommended rate.

 

[newgardener2016]

Yes I believe it had fertilizer and other stuff in it. The brand is Kellogs and specifically for raised beds. Don't know if they are accurate but I bought a meter that reads moisture/pH/sunlight. I mainly got it for reading pH. Moisture I just check with my finger. Like I said this is all new to me and I didn't just jump into it. I did research on gardening and the basics, so I do have general idea and will learn from mistakes. How good the soil I bought is, don't know but that's why I am here and appreciate everyone's suggestions, I will take all I can get.

 

[Beth_B]

I'm lucky, soil at my current house is excellent - the guy who's been doing my lawn says that mine gets longer and thicker in between cuts than his other clients. So apart from digging in some compost each year, I don't use fertilizer except on my straw bales a couple of times per season. Dr Earth organics brand.

Anyhow I think you're on the right track. If there's a state university Master Gardeners program/office near you they'll do soil analysis and recommendations either for a nominal fee, or for free.