Dangit this Houston weather is playing on my nerves!

Mojo · February 9, 2009

It's so dang WARM outside! Is this going to be one of those years where I'd do well to get everything in the ground on Valentine's? (Nothing says "love" like 'mater babies in the ground...)

OTOH two of the last three years we've been burned by late frosts, including last year. And I didn't start my seeds until late, so nothing of mine right now is much past cotyledon stage. If I had a throwaway plant (like a Bonnie's Early Girl that fell off the truck, heh) I'd put it out just for general principle.

Is anyone planning on putting something out this coming weekend? Or are we all waiting for March 1?

dhrtx · February 9, 2009

Just let the kids plant 2 late sprouting Siberians that had to be thinned in a planter box on the porch. We'll see how it goes, but it can be brought in on cold nights.

feldon30 · February 10, 2009

I have been tempted by the wonderful weather to plant some tomatoes. I'm glad I don't have any plants large enough and the good nurseries don't either, or I might yield to temptation.

And I don't get burned by frosts. I check Weather Underground 2-3 times a week when I've got plants in the ground, and have row cover and blankets ready.

Worth1 · February 10, 2009

Its nice here I Bastrop too.
I am putting them in larger 4" pots going to work tomorrow and will plant out in two weeks.
The oak trees and other plants haven't budded out yet so we might just get some more cold weather and we need rain.

Due to my schedule I had to plant a little late or way too early this year.
You just never know.

Worth

hornstrider · February 10, 2009

I took the plunge last night.......I planted 4 plants in my new raised bed last night, and two maters in an EB (greenhouse)........I checked the weather for the next 7 days, and it looks like I should be safe........I am sure we will have some cold weather ahead, but I can make hoop tunnels, and put heaters inside to keep my maters worm, and if I loose them I have plenty of back ups........I started some maters really early becuase of the mild winter weather........I started 8 plants Dec. 14th, and they are ready to put into the ground......I think it is worth the risk....

duajones · February 10, 2009

Weather has been decent here in Corpus as well with the exception of heavy winds. I still plan on putting mine in the ground on the week of the 23rd, with blankets, sheets and clothespins ready just in case. I have a friend in nearby Port Aransas that planted theirs last week. Probably a good move since they always seem to be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than us even on the coldest nights.

Deer Park · February 10, 2009

I worry more about the wind that frost.

In my experience I don't gain anything by planting out early and I've tried it a few times like now when it looks nice.

The first week of March is best for me for the last twenty years.

Michael

feldon30 · February 11, 2009

Michael,

How are your beds looking? I heard they took a beating from Ike.

Deer Park · February 11, 2009

I've been working a little on the beds since I'm not working. Need to get in gear as March is not far off.

Going to have some left over plants if you would like any. I lost about a third to something in the media. I switched media and everythings OK now. To late to start them over. Really hurt me when Home Depot decided to not carry ProMix anymore.

Michael

feldon30 · February 11, 2009

Yeah I'm in the same boat with the Pro-Mix. There's really nothing quite like it. I went to their website and found one retailer that seems to have it:

ENCHANTED GARDENS
6420 FM 359
RICHMOND, TX 77469
(Actually closer to Fulshear than Richmond)
(281) 341-1206

EDIT: I went there and paid $9.99 for 2 cu ft bags of uncompressed Pro-Mix. I got 2 bags ($20).

This is compared to to the 4 cu ft compressed bags of Pro-Mix I used to buy for $12.

I've got about 130 seedlings right now. DP, did you have any must-have varieties that got wiped out?

Mojo · February 12, 2009

*is jealous of Feldon* I only have room for 12-15 plants, and that's minimum spacing only. I'd have to start taking out zucchini for more than that, and there would be Trouble if that occurred. (Mrs. likes the zukes; also, I save room for eggplants later on).

Out at the house the other night we had an incredible heavy-band pass over. One of my precocious seedlings that had just been moved outside into a cup got submerged and may not recover. The cool weather made me reconsider, since I'm no longer convinced soil temps will remain suitably warm. Also, since the ground is now soaking wet and I don't do raised beds, I have to wait a few days before I can do my spring tilling (horse apples, bone meal, rock phosphate, gypsum).

FlipTX · February 14, 2009

I'm annoyed at this warm weather because it means none of my weeds have died off! You see, what I do every year is wait till a frost or two has killed off the weeds, let them sit around for a while decaying and enriching the soil, then I either pull them back or paper-and-mulch over them.

But this year? Nope. The weeds are luxurious and verdant as ever. But I also have a volunteer tomato plant in one corner of the garden that's two feet tall already.

Oh and I bought two plants from Buchanan's today, a Big Beef and Cherokee Purple.

Mojo · February 15, 2009

I did go to Weather Underground and pulled up the hi/lo numbers for the last twenty years for Feb. 23-March 9. I wasn't mis-remembering, we have had near-freezing temps before March 1 three of the last four years. Of course, before that there was a longish stretch where we could've had 'em in the ground for Valentine's Day and been alright.

Today I found a volunteer out there, probably a Top Gun, and well into true-leaf stage. As I wasn't that impressed with Top Gun, I chopped it into compost. But still, if it's warm enough to allow volunteers, it should be warm enough to transplant. Hard to be patient!!!

captnkirk · February 15, 2009

i am using the wallowaters this year for the 1st time,they are awsome.They keep a nice envirornment for the plants even on days in the 80s,no wind or little furry animals to worry about either.I already have 1st set of blooms on some of my plants. kirk

Plantersville · February 17, 2009

I was planning on getting some in the ground this week but hernia surgery last week put that on hold so I'm looking at early next week. I'm hoping to get 25-30 plants in the ground then 25-30 the following week, etc, etc until I get 4 rows planted out. I try to get the 70-80 day plants in first then get the early varieties in after that.

February 9, 2009	#1
Mojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 317	Dangit this Houston weather is playing on my nerves! It's so dang WARM outside! Is this going to be one of those years where I'd do well to get everything in the ground on Valentine's? (Nothing says "love" like 'mater babies in the ground...) OTOH two of the last three years we've been burned by late frosts, including last year. And I didn't start my seeds until late, so nothing of mine right now is much past cotyledon stage. If I had a throwaway plant (like a Bonnie's Early Girl that fell off the truck, heh) I'd put it out just for general principle. Is anyone planning on putting something out this coming weekend? Or are we all waiting for March 1? __________________ There is no logical response to the question, "Why won't you let me plant more tomatoes?"

February 10, 2009	#3
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I have been tempted by the wonderful weather to plant some tomatoes. I'm glad I don't have any plants large enough and the good nurseries don't either, or I might yield to temptation. And I don't get burned by frosts. I check Weather Underground 2-3 times a week when I've got plants in the ground, and have row cover and blankets ready. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

February 11, 2009	#8
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Michael, How are your beds looking? I heard they took a beating from Ike. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

February 11, 2009	#10
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Yeah I'm in the same boat with the Pro-Mix. There's really nothing quite like it. I went to their website and found one retailer that seems to have it: ENCHANTED GARDENS 6420 FM 359 RICHMOND, TX 77469 (Actually closer to Fulshear than Richmond) (281) 341-1206 EDIT: I went there and paid $9.99 for 2 cu ft bags of uncompressed Pro-Mix. I got 2 bags ($20). This is compared to to the 4 cu ft compressed bags of Pro-Mix I used to buy for $12. I've got about 130 seedlings right now. DP, did you have any must-have varieties that got wiped out? __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

February 12, 2009	#11
Mojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 317	is jealous of Feldon I only have room for 12-15 plants, and that's minimum spacing only. I'd have to start taking out zucchini for more than that, and there would be Trouble if that occurred. (Mrs. likes the zukes; also, I save room for eggplants later on). Out at the house the other night we had an incredible heavy-band pass over. One of my precocious seedlings that had just been moved outside into a cup got submerged and may not recover. The cool weather made me reconsider, since I'm no longer convinced soil temps will remain suitably warm. Also, since the ground is now soaking wet and I don't do raised beds, I have to wait a few days before I can do my spring tilling (horse apples, bone meal, rock phosphate, gypsum). __________________ There is no logical response to the question, "Why won't you let me plant more tomatoes?"

February 9, 2009	#2
dhrtx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ranger, TX Posts: 49	Just let the kids plant 2 late sprouting Siberians that had to be thinned in a planter box on the porch. We'll see how it goes, but it can be brought in on cold nights.

February 10, 2009	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Its nice here I Bastrop too. I am putting them in larger 4" pots going to work tomorrow and will plant out in two weeks. The oak trees and other plants haven't budded out yet so we might just get some more cold weather and we need rain. Due to my schedule I had to plant a little late or way too early this year. You just never know. Worth

February 10, 2009	#5
hornstrider Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hutto, Texas Posts: 230	I took the plunge last night.......I planted 4 plants in my new raised bed last night, and two maters in an EB (greenhouse)........I checked the weather for the next 7 days, and it looks like I should be safe........I am sure we will have some cold weather ahead, but I can make hoop tunnels, and put heaters inside to keep my maters worm, and if I loose them I have plenty of back ups........I started some maters really early becuase of the mild winter weather........I started 8 plants Dec. 14th, and they are ready to put into the ground......I think it is worth the risk....

February 10, 2009	#6
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	Weather has been decent here in Corpus as well with the exception of heavy winds. I still plan on putting mine in the ground on the week of the 23rd, with blankets, sheets and clothespins ready just in case. I have a friend in nearby Port Aransas that planted theirs last week. Probably a good move since they always seem to be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than us even on the coldest nights.

February 10, 2009	#7
Deer Park Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 199	I worry more about the wind that frost. In my experience I don't gain anything by planting out early and I've tried it a few times like now when it looks nice. The first week of March is best for me for the last twenty years. Michael

February 14, 2009	#12
FlipTX Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 271	I'm annoyed at this warm weather because it means none of my weeds have died off! You see, what I do every year is wait till a frost or two has killed off the weeds, let them sit around for a while decaying and enriching the soil, then I either pull them back or paper-and-mulch over them. But this year? Nope. The weeds are luxurious and verdant as ever. But I also have a volunteer tomato plant in one corner of the garden that's two feet tall already. Oh and I bought two plants from Buchanan's today, a Big Beef and Cherokee Purple.

February 15, 2009	#13
Mojo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 317	I did go to Weather Underground and pulled up the hi/lo numbers for the last twenty years for Feb. 23-March 9. I wasn't mis-remembering, we have had near-freezing temps before March 1 three of the last four years. Of course, before that there was a longish stretch where we could've had 'em in the ground for Valentine's Day and been alright. Today I found a volunteer out there, probably a Top Gun, and well into true-leaf stage. As I wasn't that impressed with Top Gun, I chopped it into compost. But still, if it's warm enough to allow volunteers, it should be warm enough to transplant. Hard to be patient!!! __________________ There is no logical response to the question, "Why won't you let me plant more tomatoes?"

February 15, 2009	#14
captnkirk Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: florida Posts: 126	i am using the wallowaters this year for the 1st time,they are awsome.They keep a nice envirornment for the plants even on days in the 80s,no wind or little furry animals to worry about either.I already have 1st set of blooms on some of my plants. kirk

February 17, 2009	#15
Plantersville Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plantersville, Texas Zone 8 Posts: 138	I was planning on getting some in the ground this week but hernia surgery last week put that on hold so I'm looking at early next week. I'm hoping to get 25-30 plants in the ground then 25-30 the following week, etc, etc until I get 4 rows planted out. I try to get the 70-80 day plants in first then get the early varieties in after that. __________________ Chuck I love to eat, sleep and fish........not necessarily in that order!