Getting started for 2014

[jpayne]

I think i'm going to need a tractor, or finish my TB Horse restoration sooner. I've got 21 of my old standby Cherokee Purple, and 20 Amish Paste. For fun, i'm trying some Super Sauce, Big Mamma, and Steakhouse.

[swardson]

What happened to the Big Mamma seedlings?

[jpayne]

I left them in the Burpee seed starting medium too long, and I don't think that stuff has any nutrients :-( I'm very far behind in my opinion, trying to make it all work.

[sjoella]

you may be far behind...but its all good, the weather delayed alot of us here...at least you got started!

[jpayne]

Originally Posted by sjoella

you may be far behind...but its all good, the weather delayed alot of us here...at least you got started!

Thanks! To be honest, i'm ahead of where I was this time last year. I looked over my records, and I didn't get my tomatoes transplanted until mid-May last year due to cold weather. I feel slightly better after realizing that.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by jpayne

Thanks! To be honest, i'm ahead of where I was this time last year. I looked over my records, and I didn't get my tomatoes transplanted until mid-May last year due to cold weather. I feel slightly better after realizing that.

I usually put out a few tomatoes the end of February with the first week in March as my main planting; but this year I didn't get my first tomato into the garden until the second week of April. My peppers usually go out that week or the next and this year they went out the first week of May. Now that is behind. Between flooding rains and late frosts this has been one heck of a spring. Last week I had to wear a light jacket and the past two days it has been in the 90s. Hopefully the 100s will not show up but you sure can't predict what will happen this year.

Bill

[jpayne]

Got the Amish Paste in the ground, and pepped up the Big Mammas with a foliar spray of Neptune's Harvest fish fertilizer.

big_mamma.jpg

The Super Sauce are also looking better too

super_sauce.jpg

[2nd Foundation]

Looking good, neighbor! Where are you in NC? I recognized that good ol red clay! Ha! (And please, you don't have to be specific about locale if you don't want to.) I'm in north central NC. ...But...guess what? I just now started seeds! It's totally fine by me...I always figure some tomatoes are better than none. You should get plenty by the looks of your garden! Following along and looking forward to more of your pics!
Caroline

[jpayne]

Originally Posted by 2nd Foundation

Looking good, neighbor! Where are you in NC? I recognized that good ol red clay! Ha! (And please, you don't have to be specific about locale if you don't want to.) I'm in north central NC. ...But...guess what? I just now started seeds! It's totally fine by me...I always figure some tomatoes are better than none. You should get plenty by the looks of your garden! Following along and looking forward to more of your pics!
Caroline

Thanks! I've got a feeling we're closer neighbors than you think

[2nd Foundation]

Oooooooh! Is that right? Now you've got me interested.

[Kazfam]

I am in Upstate South Carolina - I also planted some Amish Paste - first time.
My first round of seedlings did not go so well, a bit anemic. I planted a couple out in the garden about a month ago, doing much better planted out. The Box Car Willie's and German Johnson's sprouted best as seedlings.

I REALLY wanted the Amish Paste, so I started an second round of seedlings about 4 weeks ago and they took right off. Put them in the ground today.

Do you find the Amish Paste plants rather delicate looking as compared to the San Marzano paste?

I am going to do two plantings of tomatoes since we have two growing seasons. Tired of giving up by mid July because of the fungus, horn worms, etc. I always get a decent crop but end up wishing there was more fruit by August's end.

As an interesting note - I had several volunteers in my compost - decided to plant some this year - those plants look fantastic - lots of flowers - I have been wanting to see what comes of planting volunteers so this is the year I will experiment with it. Our compost was really rich this year because of added chicken droppings - hoping it helps produce some healthy plants.

So, OP, we are on a similar schedule. Our growing season is long so why not take advantage of it, right?

[jpayne]

Originally Posted by Kazfam

Do you find the Amish Paste plants rather delicate looking as compared to the San Marzano paste?

I did not plant any San Marzano, so I don't know. I will say they looked more delicate than my Cherokee Purple.

Originally Posted by Kazfam

So, OP, we are on a similar schedule. Our growing season is long so why not take advantage of it, right?

I agree

[Kazfam]

Originally Posted by jpayne

I did not plant any San Marzano, so I don't know. I will say they looked more delicate than my Cherokee Purple.

They do take off once planted out - which I am glad of. First couple of days they were a bit stressed but have since decided to be a tomato plant and enjoy the sun and warm temps.

My San Marzano plants (comparing paste to paste) are much more robust looking.

I am looking forward to trying the Amish Paste...

Hey, it's raining! Sorry...got a bit excited.

[jpayne]

I'm still undecided as to what kind of year i'm having. I do know that the compost I bought was a waste, as i'm seeing nitrogen depletion in my squash and cucumbers.



My row of Steakhouse, Big Mamma, and Super Sauce Hybrids.
hybrids.jpg



Super Sauce
supersauce.jpg



Steakhouse
steakhouse.jpg



Cherokee Purples
cherokee_purple.jpg



Amish Paste
amish_paste.jpg

[jpayne]

Things are in full swing, so not much time for posting. Here's a few new pictures.

Big Cherokee Purple
big_cp.jpg

Cherokee Purple fused blossom?
fused_blossom.jpg

Big Super Sauce
super_sauce1.jpg

Full of Super Sauce
super_sauce2.jpg

SteakHouse Hybrid
steakhouse2.jpg