Starting from seed for Fall tomatoes

[Boarhead]

My first frost date is @ Oct. 18-28 for 37115. I am going to plant some suckers from a few early plants I have growing now. I would also like to start about 5 Black & Brown Boars from seed but wonder when would be the ideal time to get them germinating.

As of right now it is @ 136 days until Oct. 18 so when would you guys suggest starting the seeds?

[AlittleSalt]

I started mine June 1. Our average first frost is November 3 in the DFW, Texas area.

[Salsacharley]

Let's say B&B Boar is 80 days to maturity. If you use Craig L's "One Month Rule" and apply it in reverse you would have: 136 days to frost minus 80 days from transplant, minus 30 days from transferring from cells to pots, minus 30 days from sowing.... you get -4 days. You should have sown 4 days ago. Keep in mind that the plants will only BEGIN to have ripe fruit in 80 days from transplant. If it takes less than 80 days you are that much further ahead. You can also be optimistic and go for a late frost for some more time, but the cooler fall weather slows down all the ripening processes, too. Good Luck.

[Boarhead]

Thanks guys. I might just save the seed for next year and just plant a few suckers from my PTD.

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Let's say B&B Boar is 80 days to maturity. If you use Craig L's "One Month Rule" and apply it in reverse you would have: 136 days to frost minus 80 days from transplant, minus 30 days from transferring from cells to pots, minus 30 days from sowing.... you get -4 days. You should have sown 4 days ago. Keep in mind that the plants will only BEGIN to have ripe fruit in 80 days from transplant. If it takes less than 80 days you are that much further ahead. You can also be optimistic and go for a late frost for some more time, but the cooler fall weather slows down all the ripening processes, too. Good Luck.

Thanks for that rule. First I have heard of it. Guess I better get my tail gear and get to sowing like crazy too.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Let's say B&B Boar is 80 days to maturity. If you use Craig L's "One Month Rule" and apply it in reverse you would have: 136 days to frost minus 80 days from transplant, minus 30 days from transferring from cells to pots, minus 30 days from sowing.... you get -4 days. You should have sown 4 days ago. Keep in mind that the plants will only BEGIN to have ripe fruit in 80 days from transplant. If it takes less than 80 days you are that much further ahead. You can also be optimistic and go for a late frost for some more time, but the cooler fall weather slows down all the ripening processes, too. Good Luck.

And let's also remember that no two seasons are the same in terms of environmental conditions. My last average frost date is May 15 in my zone 5 and many times I've seen snow in late May/ Early June.

I never know when first frost will appear, two years in a row it was early, on Sept 7th and Sept 8th, and it can be as late as early to mid November and one year I remember I picked fruits on Thanksgiving day which was first class weird.

So I go with the flow and try not to worry about it except in those years when I was doing taste testings and was selling to restaurants.

Carolyn

[AZGardener]

Thanks for the reminder... Gosh- I guess I better get my varieties determined stat! We sometimes have a freeze or 5 in Phx but tend to stay in the 50's/40's at night come December. Lol--- Sad but true!!