Tomotos from seed

jehu

Mapper of Landmarks
Anyone starting your tomatos early due to the unseasonably warm winter in hopes of an unseasonably warm spring?

Old Farmers Almanac says first 2 weeks of March, but I am so tempted to get an early start....
 

El Cid

Contributing Member
I am going to start mine in the next few days. But, it is only a couple of weeks early for my location.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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Nope. I've seen too many warm winters turn into long, late, cold springs.

That doesn't mean I won't start a couple of plants to put in pots in the greenhouse for early tomatoes, but the main crop will be started on time. IF I was seeing major plant signs of an early spring... blooming crocuses, lilacs budding, syrup season in full swing and close to ending, then MAYBE I'd move my schedule up a bit.

But there's little worse than having hundreds of plants outgrowing their pots and plant shelves and the soil being too cold to transplant.

Summerthyme
 

ericha

Contributing Member
My standard plan for tomatoes is to sprout them under a grow light (starting in March), then transplant them into the garden inside of a wall o' water once they get bigger.
 

CedarSDS247

Inactive
I just planted my tomatoes and green peppers today. I figure even if it doesn't warm up right away, I will just have to keep them inside a little longer.
 

jehu

Mapper of Landmarks
We are sprouting and I spent the weekend putting a "Windowbox greenhouse" together that I can put some flats into once they are sprouted.

Of course it was 15* this am, a reminder that we are still in winter, but it is supposed to be in the 60*'s later this week, and I am hopeful that we have seen the last of teens, and maybe even the twenties.
 

Wise Owl

Deceased
Hoping to get my tomatoes and some basil going in the next few days. Heading off the mt to pick up some good starter soil for my little green house thingies that I have. (I keep doughnut trays that are clear plastic top and bottom and make great little seed starters.)

The local hardware store is supposed to be putting up their seed display this week so looking for that also to get my pole bean seeds. I had wonderful luck with contenders last year and want to see if I can get another good year this year. Going to give them two raised 4x8 beds this year instead of just one. Should double my yield I hope.

I have to use raised beds here cause the ground is not only rocky but also has huge buried boulders in it. You can't dig anywhere up here to any depth. We live on boulders and bedrock....sigh.

We also live borderline in area 4/5 so I have to start them soon to get enough growth for them to get big enough before fall hits.

Also still waiting on some of my tomato seeds to get here. I have Brandywine to get started and looking for more Italian type plants to produce more maters. I will just pick up a few Early Girls for slicing and eating. The rest will go into jars. Way too cold up here to try to grow beef eaters or similar.
 

ericha

Contributing Member
Wise Owl, if you are looking to raise you green bean production. I would recommend pole beans over bush beans. Its a hassle putting up the trellis for pole beans, but they bear over a longer period than bush beans.
 

jehu

Mapper of Landmarks
Little buggers are growing nicely. Bought 2-3inches right now.

We've transplanted about 1/2 to bigger pots.

The peppers are a bit slower....
 
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