When to start

[tgplp]

Hi all!
I am a bit confused about what day I should start my tomato seeds. I live near Seattle and I'm in zone 8. Usually I start them indoors in late January and keep sowing randomly until about March, and by then I have a bunch of different sized transplants. I do this because I really don't know when to start them! Our last frost date is April 9, but it stays in the fifties here until June!

Thanks.

Taryn

[jwr6404]

Taryn
m I start my seeds under grow lights in mid-late Feb,transplant the seedlings into 12oz styrofoam cups 3-4 weeks later. Weather and growth permitting I place them into large Pots between 20-30 April. Each of the Pots are covered enclosed with 6ft vinyl covered cages

[flutterby]

Taryn ~ That seems to be the way to do it. I am going to have to change my setup outside in order to do the "plastic wrap", that is make some round cages that are strong enough and be able to wrap around them to put them out early. Did you make those, or buy them?

[jwr6404]

flutterby,
Since I mentioned cages I'll tell you how I do it. I use 2"x4"x5ft fencing which is available at HD or Lowes,it comes in 50ft and/or 100 ft rolls.You can also obtain the clear vinyl plastic in 4mil or 6 mil thickness in rolls up to 400ft. To determine the cage diameter measure the diameter of the pot at the top and add 6'',multiply by 3.14 to determine the length of fencing needed. Cut the fence,if you don't have any purchase an 11" pair of diagonal pliers. You attach the vinyl to the cage using the cable ties. When it gets hot either lift the cages off or remove the plastic. With the 2x4 inch fencing you will need to cut holes in the cage to allow harvesting of the tomatoes. The initial cost of the fencing for 100 ft will approach $90-$100. I have cages that are 15-20 years old so they will last. The big plus for me in Washington is that it allows me to plant 6-8 weeks earlier and it shedd a lot of our Spring/Early Summer rain.

[tgplp]

Thank you both. I think that this year I'll plant my seeds in February, like you said. And thanks for the cage ideas, too. Does it get very wet and fungus-y if you wrap plastic vinyl around them?

Taryn

[OneoftheEarls]

IF you can cover them with styrofoam covers you can put them out early....usually it is about 6 weeks from that last frost. In MI many go out at Memorial Day's weekend.

Last year I did some end of April...a month early. They made it through snow

http://45thparallelseeds.webs.com/ex...garden2010.htm

[jwr6404]

taryn
I've never had a fungus problem. Bear in mind that I can and do remove the cages in the daytime weather permitting and replace the cages at night as we often have temperatures in the upper30s-mid 40s well into Jun. Last year,my worst, we dropped to 32 degrees on 2 July.

[Dawningstar1]

I am starting some of my plants today lol from seed of course lol... just a dozen so I can see them sprout lol maybe I will be lucky enough to get them into the greenhouse by April 1st if not before being from Canada, I am not sure how much earlier I can get them into the greenhouse, but I don't even mind if I have to cart them back into the house at night as it usually isn't that cold here and if I can get an extra 6 weeks growing time I will be very happy lol

[dipchip2000]

Jwr6404

I like the idea of wrapping the cages with vinyl but just wondered how you covered the top of the cage? I would think that the wrapped cages would be fine even in warmer weather if the tops are left open. How do you do it? While I like the idea I haven't thought out all the specifics. My cages are 5ft CRW and if wrapped and not secured to a post, they would catch the wind and blow over. Maybe a trash bag over the top to prevent frost from settling on the plant. Im still trying to work it out.

ron

[jwr6404]

Ron
If I have a 30" diameter I simply cut ,usually from leftover vinyl 32" or greater piece. I attach it with the 4 inch cable ties every 4-6 inches.

[dice]

I start mine March 1st to mid-March, and average last frost date
here is around May 7. That usually provides 6-8 weeks of growth
before transplanting into the garden.

I have planted them out a week earlier, 1st of May, then ended
up covering them up at night with plastic milk jugs for the first
week to 10 days because night time temperatures were
dropping to near freezing.

One can get them out earlier by keeping them covered, but
soil temperatures do not warm up here until May, so plants
in the ground do not do much growing during that head start.

[tgplp]

Dawning Star 1- good luck with your seeds! I always start earlier then I should, just to see them sprout and grow, like you say.

I just ordered some seeds from Tatiana's Tomato Base, and I know its too early but... when they come, I'm plantin' them right away! Indoors, of course. I can't direct sow tomatoes... lol. I have a hoop house, so... maybe this might work. we'll see!


Thanks everyone for joining in!

Taryn

[Dawningstar1]

I think seeing those first few sprouts after planting that little seed just gets my heart a fluttering, it is like seeing baby goats testing their legs in the spring running and jumping and sometimes, not making that jump properly and crying out for their mama....

No matter how dull and cold the day outside if one can see new life it is hopes of warm days and tasty treats from the gardens....

[tgplp]

Too true, Dawningstar1.

[Mischka]

I posted this link here before and others may have, too. It's a guide for when to start seeds in your area; both indoors and outdoors. Just fill in your ZIP code. It also gives you the favorable moon phase dates.

Very handy and considerably accurate.

http://www.almanac.com/gardening/pla.../zipcode/02554