Very early determinante tomatoes

[MrBig46]

Bower,
I did not make the graphs. These are graphs from the weather station CHI, which is 2 km from my garden. Performs measurements since 1939 and graphs are on the internet.
On the chart also indicated average values for 75 years of measurements (max and min).
I will use their graphs for the evaluation hardiness of tomatoes in this season (I do not have to perform any temperature measurement)
Vladimír

[Gardeneer]

We have the same/similar historic data.
They show statistical averages, H and L and record H and L.
But nowadays with 15 days forecast you can make better decision as when to plant out, after your LFD.
Gardeneer

[MrBig46]

Growing tomato 0-33 is just an experiment for me - I want to try what temperature they can withstand. I assume most of the 52 transplants during this experiment will die. I do not need any harvest from these tomatoes. Historical data are indicative for me. I'll plant the first seedlings when the soil temperature 10-12 ° C and outdoor temperature (prediction three days) 15- 16 ° C. Another seedling, then I'll plant at intervals of several days.

Vladimír

[Andrey_BY]

Vladimir,
+10+12 C is usual temperature level for soil to transplant tomato seedlings in South of Russia. So you should expect a very high percent of surviving tomato plants of Pavel Saraev selection, because 0-33 can easily withstand light minus C as well as most of Saraev cold tolerant varieties! Russian gardeners used to sow Saraev varieties directly in the ground... So probably it's better to compare both ways for you if you would like, of course.

Originally Posted by MrBig46

Growing tomato 0-33 is just an experiment for me - I want to try what temperature they can withstand. I assume most of the 52 transplants during this experiment will die. I do not need any harvest from these tomatoes. Historical data are indicative for me. I'll plant the first seedlings when the soil temperature 10-12 ° C and outdoor temperature (prediction three days) 15- 16 ° C. Another seedling, then I'll plant at intervals of several days.

Vladimír

[MrBig46]

Last week I bought a 40 m (131 feet) black woven mulching foil and I carved by round holes for the seedlings into it.
Vladimír

[MrBig46]

Interesting idea. I'll think about it
Vladimír

[Gardeneer]

I plant mine when soil temperatures reach 57F ( ~ 13 C) and low air temperatures about 40F. Occasionally it can get down to 34F. It is the soil temperatures that I think are crucial as in colder temps the roots might not be able to uptake the nutrients.

Gardeneer

[MrBig46]

It rained throughout February. temperatures were a little higher than usual. Yesterday snow fell nearly four inches. In the garden I have not done anything yet.
I planted part of seedlings tomatoes 0-33 (32 pc) into 200 ml cups on February 28. Today, every plant has 6-7 true leaves, and their height is from 3 "to 5" depends on where the plants were behind the window (pic 1)
I let the remaining tomato seedlings 0-33 (20 pieces) after four in one pot (reserve) (reserve). These plants are somewhat longer (6 ") because they shade mutually other (pic 2).
I do not see any difference between plants from seeds hardening by cold and from control seeds now.
From other determinate varieties Saraev Gruntovyi, Saraev Shtambovyi, Saraev Otbor 1, Saraev M-22, Saraev I-2, Saraev Soikyi, DSaraev Druzhnyi, Jagodka, Darinka, 42 days, etc. I let only one plant of each variety. I discarded other seedlings.
Vladimír

[pauldavid]

Vladimír, your plants are looking very nice.

[bower]

They all look very good.
We also had a lot of rain in February instead of snow, but then turned cold again in March. The ground was getting soft but then froze rock hard, with night temperatures down to 7 F (minus 14 C) and windchills to -13 F (- 25 C) with no snow on the ground to protect plants... I have three kinds of green onions and some leeks, testing to see if they will survive and make a perennial patch. They were all surviving and looking great in February... we'll see later if they survived March.

[Cole_Robbie]

I have 42 Days for the first time. It is a fast grower as a seedling.

[MrBig46]

Yesterday I put on a bed of wood frame with windows. I hope it will help me with heating of soil.
Vladimír

[Ricky Shaw]

Guaranteed to warm things up, and some heavy duty construction. Nice.

[kchd..]

Fascinating thread, Vladimir. I will enjoy following your progress and learning new things!

[Gardeneer]

Vladimir, that is very helpful to get a head start. It is called "Cold Frame" in US.
In a sunny day, it can get real hot in there.
Good Luck with it.

Gardeneer