Would you plant out?

[CinnamintStick]

We had a really warm weekend when I bought my transplants. Now the temperature is dropping again. We have had years with late May snow. I plan to just sit on my hands, and wait it out. My plants look great right now. They are outside. I will bring them inside if it gets any colder. I also have seeds I just started as back ups if this does not work out.

[Boutique Tomatoes]

Yes, we've had snow in May here as well. The polycarb panels for my greenhouse have been in the garage for nearly a year now, back when I'd first decided to 'go big' this year I had anticipated having it up by now. Too many other projects.

We've got the storms still predicted for tomorrow with winds exceeding 50 mph forecast as of tonights local weather, I have a feeling I'll be happy I waited. Thursday and Friday are supposed to be more moderate, I may get out and start planting in between showers then and try to finish up over the weekend. At least I won't need to water them in!

[tjg911]

mark i'm south of you and in a warmer zone and i wouldn't consider planting out tomatoes or peppers until memorial day. the ground is cool and the deeper you go it gets colder. day time temps here the past 2 days have been in the upper 40's low 50's, no sun, this weekend 20-40 mph winds, temps were below freezing 3 nights in a row last weekend. even mid may is way too early.

tom

[raindrops27]

Mark, I was so close to planting the few that had survived the continuous rain and wind storms. I was so disgusted to come home from a long day to see my tomato seedlings that were huge healthy, outdoors for 2-3 weeks just waiting for their homes in the garden.

Literally pummeled by the windstorms and the rains. I lost a good 20 or so out of 50. The most heartbreaking is I lost everyone of the Sungold F1 seedlings, I'm out of those seeds, and I've yet to try Sungold. I guess, I will have to wait to try them next season.

I was so tempted to plant the survivors when I got in this evening, one has flower buds but with the rain and threat of more thunderstorms I chose to bring them in and put them back under lights. I sowed more seeds tonight for those lost hopefully for a late harvest.



Melissa

[kath]

Mark, I agree it's wise for you to wait a bit. It's tough to do that when you have backups, though. Two days ago I planted all the ones I started extra early just in case early May was unusually warm, but only because it wasn't that much work, I have a plan for protection and if the plan fails the replacements will take their place later this month. I'm also in a warmer zone.

Melissa- so sorry to hear about your losses. If the roots are still intact, those plants will recover in time. After I recovered from the shock, I sowed replacement plants for ones I lost to a May 10th frost on May 14th and those plants all produced fruit way before the end of the season. The fact that you're in a warmer zone means it shouldn't be a problem for you either. With the weather being so sunny and warm in May, the seedlings were outside nearly every day and under lights for a while each night and were ready to be planted out on June 7th! So don't be too discouraged- you'll still be tasting fruits from them this season. PM me if you'd like some Sungold seeds- they produce early, so I'd go for it this year.

Kath

[Boutique Tomatoes]

So sorry to hear that Melissa!

We had the rain start overnight and they're showing the thunderstorms storms hitting here this afternoon and continuing into Friday morning with a total 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches of rain.

After that the 10 day forcast has higher than average temps, mostly cloudy for another week and the lowest night temp forecast is 46, which takes us past our average last frost date. Soil temps in the raised beds for tomatoes is 64 at 6 inches down, the garden where I'm planting the Holcombe Prolific is still only 48 instead of the magic 50 for corn. I'll be planting my spring sacrifice tomato plants this weekend in the mud and covering them, hopefully it works like a little greenhouse. Three or 4 extra weeks would make a huge difference for me.

[Fusion_power]

I am definitely planted out. In fact, if I have to plant one more bean or one more tomato plant, I'm going to scream. As I said, I am PLANTED OUT!

DarJones - Note for readers, this message is intended to Worth!

[dustdevil]

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

In fact, if I have to plant one more bean or one more tomato plant, I'm going to scream.

It sounds like Dar is ready to have a coniption. I wonder if he's all planted out

[Fusion_power]

Then there was the husband who had a habit of saying "just a sec honey, just a sec". They had been on vacation staying in a condo and were packing up to leave. The kids were fidgeting and squabbling, the suitcases were a mess to pack, and the husband said "just a sec honey!" one time too many. She screamed out at him "NO MORE SECS, I'VE HAD ALL THE SECS I CAN STAND". Then she realized what it sounded like and screamed "WELL MAYBE JUST ONE MORE".

DarJones

[dustdevil]

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

Then there was the husband who had a habit of saying "just a sec honey, just a sec". They had been on vacation staying in a condo and were packing up to leave. The kids were fidgeting and squabbling, the suitcases were a mess to pack, and the husband said "just a sec honey!" one time too many. She screamed out at him "NO MORE SECS, I'VE HAD ALL THE SECS I CAN STAND". Then she realized what it sounded like and screamed "WELL MAYBE JUST ONE MORE".

DarJones

*****************

[raindrops27]

Thank you all.

Kath & Mark, yes disappointing to say the least.

I tossed most mainly due to what looked like tiny spots of bacterial speck with some gray leaf spot mixed in for good measure along the bottom leaves. The others the tender growing spots were broken off from the windstorm.

I get so sensitive now with my tomato seedlings. If I notice anything wrong I toss them. I mean I was just out there, and the seedlings were lush green no signs of any leaf problem and now this.

I am off from school and work today. They are forecasting storms until Sunday. I brought the seedlings in and put them back under the lights to give them a break from the rains. But, isn't it true that if I keep them under the artificial light it just reverses the hardening off process, if yes I will just put on my crocs and go out and plant in the storm. At this point they really have outgrown their cups and being indoors.

Kath, I started about 30 more varieties last night. But, the two I most wanted to try I had no more to sow. The Sungold and another of your top picks sandul moldovan. I am trying to keep a good attitude about it, and just look at it as just a little setback. Perspective, is what I keep telling myself because I get very touchy with my tomatoes.

Tjg- I have what looks like to be one surviving onion from all the onion seedlings I planted out almost about pencil thick but the very tip is drying out I do not know if it will make it however, it was an experience and I learned a lot for next year.

Perspective.

[kath]

Melissa- I've got enough seeds of both to send you but I need your address again, so if you decide you still want to try them this year, send a PM.

Every year it's a battle and one hopes for little skirmishes and more victories than defeats. Fortunately the plants don't need to look perfect and stay completely disease and insect free in order to produce great tasting tomatoes, so try not to let unrealistic expectations take the fun out of the challenge. One year I lost every plant to late blight before the first of August and never got a single ripe fruit from many of them- the very next year I lost ~ 75 plants to frost and the rest were damaged but slowly recovered- so you're right, it's early in your growing season and it is just a bit of a setback. We learn from our mistakes and find tips to help avoid some of the problems in the future, etc. It's heart breaking when you lose some plants but I'm going to keep on trying every year because the risk is worth it to me. You'll feel better about it in a couple of days- as soon as your new seedlings emerge.

[tjg911]

Originally Posted by raindrops27

But, isn't it true that if I keep them under the artificial light it just reverses the hardening off process,

Tjg- I have what looks like to be one surviving onion from all the onion seedlings I planted out almost about pencil thick but the very tip is drying out I do not know if it will make it however, it was an experience and I learned a lot for next year.

Perspective.

i can't see how hardened off plants can lose their "hardening off" by putting them back under lights for a few days. hardening off is the process of the plants adjusting to wind and sun. once they get that they should have it. i suppose if you put them back inside for weeks they could lose their tolerance to direct strong sun light but the twisting and pushing by the winds toughens the plants' fibers in the stalk and leaf branches. it may weak a bit but that growth due to that process would remain. over a period of a few weeks it probably would be prudent to readjust them to the wind over 3 or 4 days, the sun maybe a week. i've had different plants outside over the past 4 weeks on and off depending upon the weather. this week they'll be back under lights all week but come the 1st warm sunny day they'll do fine back outside.

ah that 1 onion will grow and taste so good!

tom

[lakelady]

Originally Posted by hoffman900

I planted mine tonight. Local farmers started last night.

I think that's about right for south of me. I usually wait to the weekend after Mother's Day and before Memorial Day. Depending on the long range forecast, I may get a few more in the ground this weekend.

I'm amazed at the plants in the WOWs ...my Vorlon looks amazing so healthy and peeking out of the top now!

[hoffman900]

I had mine out last year around April 24th. We had a few weeks of rain and and cool weather (about 50 at night), but it didn't seem to effect them. One or two 80 degree days and they bounce right up. Farmers a few miles from the Atlantic coast and the Delaware Bay don't have to worry about the frost anymore since the water is warm enough (mid to high 50s) to keep that from happening (unless something extreme occurs).

Local farmers moved their first crop out two nights ago transplanting mostly Sunbrites and Biltmores.