North Texans are you planting out this weekend?

[creister]

Texas history is quite fascinating full of colorful characters. Glad you enjoyed your tour Ray.

[rnewste]

Interesting that many folks who visit the Alamo don't get to the Cathedral which is also rich in history:



Raybo

[creister]

Ray,

Great picture. Thanks for posting it, as I am one who has been to the Alamo, but not the cathedral.

[OzoneNY]

I managed to get half of mine out today after work. I should get the balance done tomorrow after work.
one Dozen plants in all (not including the wild cherry)

First time out for me in this part of the world, hope this works.

[AlittleSalt]

Dewayne, I understand your enthusiasm. My wife wants me to plant out tomorrow or Thursday with our grandchildren. I guess I'm, "Once bitten - twice shy" in certain respects.

Being a 7th generation stone mason, you pay a lot of attention to weather changes. It's in my blood so-to-speak. But most of all, I hope you get tomatoes weeks ahead of me Win-Win

[OzoneNY]

So if I get the rest of my plants out by this weekend, would it be fair to say I am not too late for the DFW region?

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by OzoneNY

So if I get the rest of my plants out by this weekend, would it be fair to say I am not too late for the DFW region?

I wouldn't say so.
Right on time if you ask me but I live south east of Austin.

Worth

[mdvpc]

I am going to plant tomorrow here in San Antonio.

[OzoneNY]

@Worth1

I realize every year is different and different varieties also make for variables but..... about when on the calendar does your harvest take place in Austin?
Early or mid June some time?

I guess what I am asking is, how reliable are the DTM numbers and is that something to consider for these Texas zones or is it just a general guideline? Does the DTM numbers for various varieties depend on a zone or is the DTM an average for say zone 5 and your mileage may vary depending on your zone.

Also, if you have any good stock picks?......

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by OzoneNY

@Worth1

I realize every year is different and different varieties also make for variables but..... about when on the calendar does your harvest take place in Austin?
Early or mid June some time?

I guess what I am asking is, how reliable are the DTM numbers and is that something to consider for these Texas zones or is it just a general guideline? Does the DTM numbers for various varieties depend on a zone or is the DTM an average for say zone 5 and your mileage may vary depending on your zone.

Also, if you have any good stock picks?......

For me from the last of April to the end of June.

I have to tell you I am not on the band wagon of planting a million different varieties.
One year I planted over 70 different varieties about 200 all together.
I wasn't home to pick them much of the time but I was still able to determine which ones did good for me somewhat.
What I have discovered throughout the years is I need to plant smaller fruited and determinants for the most part.
The ones that have done great for mebig or small are.
Any cheery type.
Black plum.
Cherokee Purple.
Gregories Alti (SP?)
Stump of the world even though I didn't get to eat one of them.
All fruit was attacked by fruit boring worms.
Red rocket.
Costoluto Genovese
Lime green salad.
Most of the dwarf type.
Jubilee.
Neves azorean red.(SP)
Orange Russian.
Early girl.


I am trying San Marzano for the first time this year.
If it works out I will create a patch for it in the back maybe 40 plants.
I love the Cento brand San Marzano tomatoes from Italy.

I have tried more of the bigger tomatoes but the production just isn't there for me.
I get the blooms but after about maybe 4 trusses the blooms start to fall off from the heat.
So what I end up with is a big tomato plant sitting there waiting for maybe 5 or 6 tomatoes to ripen.

As far as DTM for me it is just a guideline to let me know if it is an early mid or late season variety.

I have went from way too many tomato plants to I think this year 14.

I hope this helps.


Worth

[creister]

Ozone,

Another factor that accelerates fruit to ripen is the intensity of our sun in April, May, and June. This is my own unproven theory based on observation. If you plant out this weekend, you should be right on target time wise. Be prepared to cover in case of a late frost.

My normal plant out date of March 1 has come and gone. Four inches of snow on the ground in the first week. Long range forecast is calling for a deep dip in the jet stream over the central United States in the last week of march with more freezing weather over north Texas. Most years, I don't worry about it and simply plan on covering them in the ground as needed. This year, my plants are too tall to cover and some even have small tomatoes on them. I started hardening them off under cloudy skies two days ago. I left them out overnight and it cooled to 37 degrees F. during the night. They did fine, but I probably won't plant out until after the last freeze in late March. I will hold some spares back in case we get a late frost in April.

Ted

[hornstrider]

I planted 4 plants last night. I started hardening off plants about a week ago. They were in the shade of patio for 3 days, and placed outside on the fourth day under very overcast day, and the sun has not peeked through the clouds in the last 2 weeks. Today is cloudy once again, and I plan to plant out the remaining 40 plants by this weekend. Crazy weather

[Worth1]

I am so sick of this, the wind is still out of the north.

Worth

[AlittleSalt]

Yes, north wind and clouds here. Some of the tomato plants I took outside don't like it either. It's 56F right now and I'm wearing a thin windbreaker. I'm still thinking of planting out a few larger plants to see if that helps. They keep having lower branches wilt and look awful. Oh well, I started way too many anyway.