2016 NJ urban tomato garden

[Worth1]

Looks great but how on earth do you guys keep up with all of them.
Half my labels are faded and I have no idea what they are until the get ripe.

Worth

[efisakov]

I do not have heat mat, luigiwu. The seedlings are under the light, my DH got me the special one for seedlings to grow. I used to grow my seedlings on the windowsill that was facing south. It worked fine in old house. The new one does not have the same type.

Windowsill was similar to this one.

[efisakov]

Spring is coming. Peonies are emerging.

[efisakov]

Hyacinths are in bloom.

[luigiwu]

I've always wanted to grow Peonies!!
THis is the year we do a massive renovation - so I have to keep reminding myself that that garden should be small, probably non existent...
Ella, do you start your cucumber and squashes in seed starter or potting mix?

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Looks great but how on earth do you guys keep up with all of them.
Half my labels are faded and I have no idea what they are until the get ripe.

Worth

Labels on the containers/cups survive until we plant them out.
Before planting I make a map of all the plants. If I do change my mind depending on the size or type of the tomato, I change it in the plan. I number my beds. I know you give them names, which is fine as well. My plan is on the computer at first, once I plant them I make paper copy so when I am outside I can look at it and know which one is doing fine and so on...
As I pick fruits and bring them inside I usually remember where I picked them and what variety they are. At some point you just know where and what variety you have.

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

I've always wanted to grow Peonies!!
THis is the year we do a massive renovation - so I have to keep reminding myself that that garden should be small, probably non existent...
Ella, do you start your cucumber and squashes in seed starter or potting mix?

I use potting mix. That is why I have gnats right now , but at least I know what to do with them.

[nancyruhl]

Ella, I hope you have had a talk with the neighborhood groundhogs. They sure led us astray. This winter just won't go away. I have had to truck all my seedlings in from their unheated "greentent" repeatedly because of brutal lows over the past few weeks. They are just sitting there not really growing. Every time I get through the unslaught of low 20's at night and want to breath a sigh of relief, I look at the 10 day forecast and there is more just ahead. I want it to just go away.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by efisakov

Thank you, Darlene. Wish you great season as well. Will be growing so many new varieties, thanks to you. I can only have one plant per variety this year and had to say no to many I usually grow every year. I am not going to point fingers to who is responsible for that. I had to refuse Marsha's seeds offer because I had to many new once from you. BUT, they all sounds so good, just had to give them a try. Thank you, Darlene.

Oh, that's why. I had wondered. Darlene is definitely a seed pusher. Love her.
I am so glad you started this thread, I enjoyed yours last year too.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by efisakov

I use potting mix. That is why I have gnats right now , but at least I know what to do with them.

Ella do you use BT on the gnats?

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by nancyruhl

Ella, I hope you have had a talk with the neighborhood groundhogs. They sure led us astray. This winter just won't go away. I have had to truck all my seedlings in from their unheated "greentent" repeatedly because of brutal lows over the past few weeks. They are just sitting there not really growing. Every time I get through the unslaught of low 20's at night and want to breath a sigh of relief, I look at the 10 day forecast and there is more just ahead. I want it to just go away.

Nancyruhl, I had being questioning these groundhogs few times already. They have taken the 5th...
Just like you, I watch 10 days forecast and it does not look to good. We need at least couple of weeks in heigh 60th and low 70th day time and 45 to 55 at night to plant out. Soil is too cold.

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Oh, that's why. I had wondered. Darlene is definitely a seed pusher. Love her.
I am so glad you started this thread, I enjoyed yours last year too.

Yes, she is. I will try to save seeds from them.

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Ella do you use BT on the gnats?

Marsha, I water them with Peroxide mixed with water 1:3. It kills gnats larva. Then let it dry out. Sticky papers/rolls help as well.
Problem with BT is that it does not dilute well in water. And water has to be untreated with chlorine or other chemicals they use, it kills BT.
During early summer we collect rain water in big buckets and I use dunks with BT in them to water plants.
One time I purchased garden soil to add to my tomato beds and had enormous number of gnats in just few days. Had to move my marigolds there right away. Luckily I had plenty growing around. Marigolds roots are poisonous to gnats larva.

[efisakov]

Here is the map of our soil temperatures at a depth of 5 cm (thank you Rutgers). We had last freeze on April 10th. Hopefully it was the last one. In about a week I have to check soil temps again. I need it at 50 degrees at least, better 60. I am watching night temperatures as well. They are improving and 2 weeks may be enough to warm up. Hopefully. Without counting cold green house, last year we planted our tomatoes on May 2nd.

[efisakov]

Good news, soil temperature improved greatly in just a few warm days. I am really tempted to plant a small group of 12 tomato plants tomorrow.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by efisakov

Good news, soil temperature improved greatly in just a few warm days. I am really tempted to plant a small group of 12 tomato plants tomorrow.

Can you afford to lose them?

Worth

[efisakov]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Can you afford to lose them?

Worth

I would not lose them. Can cover that many with buckets.