Post by macmex on Jan 27, 2018 7:24:53 GMT -6
Folks, we're coming up on time to start tomato seeds. On Facebook I saw someone happily showing off pictures from their day of starting tomato seeds, the FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY! Hate to be a wet blanket, but unless one lives in South Texas, of someplace like that, those plants probably won't make it.
Some people in Oklahoma, do start seeds in February, even toward the beginning of the month. They need to have warmth and lots of light, in order to do this. When I have started mine in in February, I've generally had to go back and do it again in March, as I don't have a place with enough warmth and light, and the little plants die before the warmth arrives. So, I aim for March. I've noticed that 2-3" transplants grow quite rapidly, once they are set out in the garden. So I don't worry that my transplants aren't as large as someone else's.
Do you start your tomatoes from seed? I'm surprised how many people don't. This is a skill I'd like to see more people learn. Here's a quote from something I wrote for an upcoming course in Homesteading Edu.
Starting tomato plants from seed is not very hard to do. One of the benefits of doing this is cost. For the price of one single transplant, it is possible to purchase an entire packet of seeds. Another advantage of starting from seed is “selection.” I would venture to say that the number of tomato varieties, available in seed form is hundreds of times greater than what is available as plants.
There are other advantages. But suffice it to say, that if one wants to be sustainable in the area of tomatoes, it is really helpful both to be able to save seed and grow from seed. Some of the varieties I regularly grow have been difficult to impossible to find in seed companies. Most of my favorites are now available through seed companies. But this is largely because I saved seed for years and sent the seed to the seed companies with a recommendation!
Also, I noticed that the quote doesn't even mention cost. I can start more tomato plants, from seed, than I can use, at a fraction of the cost of one of those $4+ plants I see offered in box stores, in 6-10" pots! A regular tomato transplant will generally run between $.50 and $1.00 or more. This is a very fair price. But if I grow them myself, I can do better.
Anyway, what varieties do you plan on growing this year?
My life may morph a bit. But I know I will grow Baker Family Heirloom. I plan on growing Sioux and Tomato Rocky for fall tomatoes. So I'll start them in late April or early May. I will probably plant Sunray VF, which I haven't grown in too long. Sunray VF is a yellow/orange fruiting determinate variety which has outstanding flavor. It also keeps well on the counter. Apparently it has some long keeping genetics in it. Back in 1983 I remember growing something like 20 varieties of tomatoes and offering a taste test to friends. With their eyes open, they never chose Sunray VF. With their eyes closed, they almost always chose it as the best flavored tomato!
I plan on growing Black Cherry. I'm in trouble with my wife, any year I don't grow it!
I may return to grow Black, which is a vigorous, indeterminate beefsteak with brownish colored fruit. Its flavor is quite sweet. The fruit are gorgeous!
For a new trial, I may grow Eros, which was sent to me by Sandhill Preservation Center. I understand it is a prolific paste type.
Anyway, those are my preliminary plans. What do you expect to grow?
George
Some people in Oklahoma, do start seeds in February, even toward the beginning of the month. They need to have warmth and lots of light, in order to do this. When I have started mine in in February, I've generally had to go back and do it again in March, as I don't have a place with enough warmth and light, and the little plants die before the warmth arrives. So, I aim for March. I've noticed that 2-3" transplants grow quite rapidly, once they are set out in the garden. So I don't worry that my transplants aren't as large as someone else's.
Do you start your tomatoes from seed? I'm surprised how many people don't. This is a skill I'd like to see more people learn. Here's a quote from something I wrote for an upcoming course in Homesteading Edu.
Starting tomato plants from seed is not very hard to do. One of the benefits of doing this is cost. For the price of one single transplant, it is possible to purchase an entire packet of seeds. Another advantage of starting from seed is “selection.” I would venture to say that the number of tomato varieties, available in seed form is hundreds of times greater than what is available as plants.
There are other advantages. But suffice it to say, that if one wants to be sustainable in the area of tomatoes, it is really helpful both to be able to save seed and grow from seed. Some of the varieties I regularly grow have been difficult to impossible to find in seed companies. Most of my favorites are now available through seed companies. But this is largely because I saved seed for years and sent the seed to the seed companies with a recommendation!
Also, I noticed that the quote doesn't even mention cost. I can start more tomato plants, from seed, than I can use, at a fraction of the cost of one of those $4+ plants I see offered in box stores, in 6-10" pots! A regular tomato transplant will generally run between $.50 and $1.00 or more. This is a very fair price. But if I grow them myself, I can do better.
Anyway, what varieties do you plan on growing this year?
My life may morph a bit. But I know I will grow Baker Family Heirloom. I plan on growing Sioux and Tomato Rocky for fall tomatoes. So I'll start them in late April or early May. I will probably plant Sunray VF, which I haven't grown in too long. Sunray VF is a yellow/orange fruiting determinate variety which has outstanding flavor. It also keeps well on the counter. Apparently it has some long keeping genetics in it. Back in 1983 I remember growing something like 20 varieties of tomatoes and offering a taste test to friends. With their eyes open, they never chose Sunray VF. With their eyes closed, they almost always chose it as the best flavored tomato!
I plan on growing Black Cherry. I'm in trouble with my wife, any year I don't grow it!
I may return to grow Black, which is a vigorous, indeterminate beefsteak with brownish colored fruit. Its flavor is quite sweet. The fruit are gorgeous!
For a new trial, I may grow Eros, which was sent to me by Sandhill Preservation Center. I understand it is a prolific paste type.
Anyway, those are my preliminary plans. What do you expect to grow?
George