Yup, far too early for tomatoes, especially the varieties the OP lists. There is just no point to starting them early. They get leggy and flop over and try to set flowers in their little pots, only to languish when they finally do make it into the ground. Wait until late March and ride the momentum of warming days and abundant sunshine. The only tomato I would start this early would be a patio variety destined for life in a greenhouse or container where it could be moved indoors at night. Peppers are different story. In recent years I've been starting them earlier and earlier here in central MA. Last year I started them the 2nd week of January and they did quite well. It means a lot of weeks of babysitting them, but they did produce earlier and in excellent quantity. This year I didn't get around to starting them until Feb 2nd. As for what to start them in, why not try a soil blocker? I started using one a few years ago and quite like it. I don't use it for everything, but it works well for tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, and lots of other plants too. No fussing with odd-sized yogurt containers, no sending plastic to the dump, no waste at all.

Bonnie I just wanted to note how sweet and understanding on your part with Doris. I have sent her a card and will send another! Consider it done!If I have any seeds that you need I would be happy to send them...just let me know! Thanks to Beth for getting this robin started! It has been fun! Your super Beth!! To all Enjoy your weekend! Has anyone done any winter sowing? Yikes I haven't yet but hope to soon! I better get going with that project or before I know it...it will be springtime!! Isn't that a wonderful thought?!

Annellis, it will get better. Hope you get well quickly. Ann, you sound like you're in great shape. I bet you're happy with how things have gone. My kitchen floor needs mopping, I probably should be doing that right now instead of this. Okay, I'll do it *next*. There. When they announced the hard freeze I went out and cut every single rose and rose bud so there is a nice vase of flowers in front of the mirror. In between the Christmas teddy bears. Gifts need wrapping. There's just the three of us so that won't take long, I plan to do it while dh and dd are out shopping tomorrow. One more trip to a different grocery store for some things I couldn't get at the first one today. I think I'm done with stocking stuffers. I spent some time today baking gingerbread men for the family. Got them iced and here came dd with friends. When the icing hardened I put them on a plate and set them out for them to eat - I can make more cookies for us tomorrow and I'm happy she's comfortable enough to invite her friends here (they're all 18). But you know how that sort of thing sets your plans aside is my point. I love it that she has a living room full of friends watching a movie when they could all easily be out somewhere getting into trouble, know what I mean. I think my main gripe is decorating. I am still in the hauling out the mish mosh phase and I wish I were in a color coordinated phase. I even didn't put out nearly everything we have and the place still gets that cluttered feeling. I need to go through the living/dining area tomorrow morning and just grab some things and put them away. Those Christmas teddy bears - grrrr. You know the stuff that comes home with other family members and it gets saved and saved and saved? Ick. I wonder - will anyone complain or notice if I put them away? But, I am pleased to have time off. Got my mammogram today and need to call for the dr appt. Need to make a dental hygiene appt., stuff like that. Need to pay for dd's dual credit (college) classes by 1/3. And it got COLD even way down here, so I guess tomorrow I ought to go get some covers for those pipes outdoors. Okay, two trips tomorrow: groceries and pipe covers at HD. I'm rambling. I'm in pretty good shape this year and I credit Jamie's Christmas by the Month with most of it, she really helped me get organized - things like family addresses etc. Gonna go mop this floor now. Thanks a lot! LOL

Happy Birthday, Kate! Hope you have a great day, fun evening, and you get all that gelato to yourself! Hmmmm, wonder where I could find gelato here? This morning I'm going to make a couple of loaves of bread, 'cause I'm out. Then I will continue quilting on the Bubbles #3 quilt and cut some more "coins" for the stacked coins quilt. I also need to work on my portion of my round robin quilt. This time we took favorite photos/pictures and blew them up, cut up into 6 sections, then each member of our group makes their section to replicate part of the photo, plus adding 1/4" all around so the owner can sew the 6 sections together to make her quilt. Tomorrow I'm going to help my mom wheel Dad down to their patio home for lunch. The Memory Center where he lives is just a short walk to their home, so when the weather is nice, we like to take him home for a while if possible. Teresa