Late Planting Tomato Seeds

AlittleSalt · March 16, 2018

I planted tomato seeds on January 23 which I am quickly learning is too early for me to start tomato seeds for this part of Texas. Next year, Valentines day at the earliest for me starting tomato seeds. I already have tall lanky plants that will have to be trench planted out in the soil...and likely too early. April frost or freeze does happen here.

I have planted store bought transplants out in/on the first week of May here and they did produce well. I have also started tomato seeds January 1, in years past - planted out in early March just to watch them not grow until mid April or so.

It is all a learning experience. There are climatological things available that you can learn, but living in the same place for many years and seeing how each year differs can also help you understand when and what to grow where you are at. In some areas, you can trust climatology and others you can't. I live in an area that you can't.

Here, I am tired of looking at lanky tomato plants that need to be trench planted. When I know full well, that it's probably too early. I looked at some tomato transplants today at several stores - and they look awful. Most are very small with damaged leaves.

Today, May 16th, I'm going to start some cherry tomato seeds. Going against everything I have read - I think they will have a better chance here.

March 16, 2018	#1
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Late Planting Tomato Seeds I planted tomato seeds on January 23 which I am quickly learning is too early for me to start tomato seeds for this part of Texas. Next year, Valentines day at the earliest for me starting tomato seeds. I already have tall lanky plants that will have to be trench planted out in the soil...and likely too early. April frost or freeze does happen here. I have planted store bought transplants out in/on the first week of May here and they did produce well. I have also started tomato seeds January 1, in years past - planted out in early March just to watch them not grow until mid April or so. It is all a learning experience. There are climatological things available that you can learn, but living in the same place for many years and seeing how each year differs can also help you understand when and what to grow where you are at. In some areas, you can trust climatology and others you can't. I live in an area that you can't. Here, I am tired of looking at lanky tomato plants that need to be trench planted. When I know full well, that it's probably too early. I looked at some tomato transplants today at several stores - and they look awful. Most are very small with damaged leaves. Today, May 16th, I'm going to start some cherry tomato seeds. Going against everything I have read - I think they will have a better chance here.