Early Easter

[brog]

I`ve tried to plant out my toms on good fri. This year I think that is to early. I`m in Atlanta zone 7. Whats your advice? Thanks Bill

[kath]

Good Friday is on April 22 this year...it doesn't get much later than that.
Since that day can vary by about a month, it seems less reliable than say planting peas on St. Patrick's Day.
Maybe someone in your post will have a better idea about the last frost date in your area. Do you have a protection plan for unexpected late cold snaps?

[brog]

thanks Kath, I was reading it wrong actually its late this year. Old timers disease, only excuse I have. Bill

[b54red]

My most successful of my successive plantings was on April 17th last year. I will definitely be planting my largest planting around that time again this year but I will be planting a good many of the late varieties earlier and some of the blacks and more heat tolerant varieties later. Why not set them out at different times and see what works best. I do that now every year because of some past disasters when planting them all too early or all too late.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by b54red

Why not set them out at different times and see what works best. I do that now every year because of some past disasters when planting them all too early or all too late.

Usually I don't start my seeds until mid-March, because I grow them outdoors in cold frames and it's just too cold, windy, and rainy to be out there before then. One year I lost two 4-ft. plants to a late frost in late April, so any plants I put out before May get protection -- walls-o-water or bubble-wrapped cages.

But the big-boxes and some nurseries around here start selling tomato and pepper plants as early as the first week of February, often with a good selection, and most years I can't resist getting 1-2 plants in March. Even though they grow slowly, and need a lot more care than the ones planted later, I get some fruits in June that way.

[b54red]

I can never resist trying a few early ones just to see if I can get lucky. I even started a few seed on Dec. 12. A few germinated so I guess I'll have a couple to set out in Feb. or very early March. Once in a blue moon this works and they survive the early plant out.

[brog]

Thanks Bill, That makes a lot of sense to me. I`ve tried to start my BWs early in big pots and plant outside after danger of frost. Useing different plant out dates is a good idea thanks Bill

[brog]

Bill what do you think? Plant 2 indian stripe-2 chero PL on 4-15 and same on 5-15 that way I`ll see them early and in aug. I plan on planting 2 each at 1 week intravals starting 5-22( Souix,Kellogs, W. Va, Black krim, big beef, Brandy Boy). I have not decided on what to plant for a late crop on are about 6-20. Bill

[b54red]

Since you are a little further north than me and slightly cooler you might want to start a couple in late March with your fingers crossed maybe Brandy Boy and Akers WV. Brandy Boy did very good early for me but not so good a little latter. The Indian Stripe I planted in May lasted til the end of my fall season but the ones planted in April did really good. I planted my Black Krim in May and it did good in the heat and was one of my better fall tomatoes but you need to get them in the ground around mid July if possible for a fall crop. Some will die but that is why you have extra's. I have found all the black or dark tomatoes to be so much better tasting once the real summer heat sets in so I'm going to plant all of mine later this year. I will not be planting any blacks before late April or May this year unless it turns unseasonably hot earlier than usual. I may not get as many fruits and they may be smaller but the taste is what I'm after in the black toms.

[brog]

Thanks for getting back.I`ll try brandy boy-early girl- goliath (60dtm)and kellogs w. va. early, don`t have aker`s. I`ll try 8 to12 blacks in july.but still do my comparison with Indian Stripe-spudakee april-may. Thanks Bill