Back up plans!

gardeninglee · February 28, 2017

In case my heirlooms don't do well, I'm starting a supersweet 100, 2 sunsugars, and a big beef. I'm starting them today. The heirlooms were started beginning of February. I have 16 of them right now and will be ready to plant in their permanent containers in early/mid April. If for some reason those don't work out the back ups will be ready by mid May.

What are your back ups?

Nattybo! · February 28, 2017

My back up plan is buy whatever the local greenhouse/nursery is growing

ABlindHog · February 28, 2017

I always start twice as many as I need of the ones I just can't live without in case of a late freeze or a bad hailstorm, the rest I buy locally. My wife passes out any unused spares at the hospital she works at. They are always a big hit.

shelleybean · March 1, 2017

I do have a back up plan this year because we've had a pretty mild winter here. In years past, that's often meant Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus for me. I'm going to start a few extras of everything just in case I have to pull a lot of plants. Every time I've had TSWV in my garden, it's shown up in May or June. If I make it to July Fourth without any trouble, I won't worry about it anymore.

Gardeneer · March 1, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlindHog

I always start twice as many as I need of the ones I just can't live without in case of a late freeze or a bad hailstorm, the rest I buy locally. My wife passes out any unused spares at the hospital she works at. They are always a big hit.

Same here.
I plan/want to grow like 50. But I have maybe 70. Plus if I ended up with 40 that will be fine too.

Cole_Robbie · March 1, 2017

The year that I froze all my seedlings, I went to the farmer's market on the first saturday it opened and bought a flat of 60 Big Beef for $12.

Ricky Shaw · March 1, 2017

Insanely cheap Big Beef at 20 cents apiece, the seeds alone are a dime for everyday gardeners. Of course better pricing in bulk seed, but still, they're pricing their time at nothing. Hard to compete with that, as I'm sure it carries over to all stages of growing and marketing in the region.

b54red · March 2, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelleybean

I do have a back up plan this year because we've had a pretty mild winter here. In years past, that's often meant Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus for me. I'm going to start a few extras of everything just in case I have to pull a lot of plants. Every time I've had TSWV in my garden, it's shown up in May or June. If I make it to July Fourth without any trouble, I won't worry about it anymore.

TSWV is another reason that planting out with staggered planting dates is a big plus for me. I too have had years where TSWV wipes out a lot of my early plants. Hardly a season goes by anymore without me losing at least a dozen plants but in bad years I can lose a big percentage. I'm hoping after the aphid invasion this year that it won't be followed by a thrip invasion this spring. TSWV usually hits my garden hardest in April and May.

I always try to graft far more plants than I need for every planting and keep them around for a few weeks after I do my garden set out. After that I give the extras to friends.

Bill

February 28, 2017	#1
gardeninglee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 203	Back up plans! In case my heirlooms don't do well, I'm starting a supersweet 100, 2 sunsugars, and a big beef. I'm starting them today. The heirlooms were started beginning of February. I have 16 of them right now and will be ready to plant in their permanent containers in early/mid April. If for some reason those don't work out the back ups will be ready by mid May. What are your back ups?

March 1, 2017	#4
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I do have a back up plan this year because we've had a pretty mild winter here. In years past, that's often meant Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus for me. I'm going to start a few extras of everything just in case I have to pull a lot of plants. Every time I've had TSWV in my garden, it's shown up in May or June. If I make it to July Fourth without any trouble, I won't worry about it anymore. __________________ Michele

February 28, 2017	#2
Nattybo! Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 272	My back up plan is buy whatever the local greenhouse/nursery is growing

February 28, 2017	#3
ABlindHog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: The Texas Hill Country Posts: 149	I always start twice as many as I need of the ones I just can't live without in case of a late freeze or a bad hailstorm, the rest I buy locally. My wife passes out any unused spares at the hospital she works at. They are always a big hit.

March 1, 2017	#6
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	The year that I froze all my seedlings, I went to the farmer's market on the first saturday it opened and bought a flat of 60 Big Beef for $12.

March 1, 2017	#7
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	Insanely cheap Big Beef at 20 cents apiece, the seeds alone are a dime for everyday gardeners. Of course better pricing in bulk seed, but still, they're pricing their time at nothing. Hard to compete with that, as I'm sure it carries over to all stages of growing and marketing in the region.