That 'catch-up' would probably refer to the fact that warm-season veggies that are planted out 'too early' in cool soil will not grow right away. This allows later transplants to catch up or outgrow them. It's a good idea to stagger your seeding and transplant dates to spread out the harvest, especially if you're using alot of the same variety and/or determinates. As far as the ideal size to repot or transplant, you might want to check on earlier posts on that subject.

I'm not growing a lot of the same variety or determinates (except for a couple potted plants which are dwarf det.)

But I'm sure the later sown plants will produce plenty for me. Last year, I planted a couple varieties at the same time (early March) after ordering them late. I neglected them though and didn't consistently water them, and potted them in Sta-green garden soil, and what not, but eventually I decided to do something about it, so I nurtured them and planted them in the garden and got 3 ripe fruits from 2 small plants by the end of the season.

Anyhow I will stop rambling now...just making sure that my later-sown tomatoes won't produce too late so I get as many fruit in one season as possible.

"Catch up"

Heck, I'll bet they will pass them.

I'm looking forward to them - they are Black Cherry, Black Krim and Red Brandywine. I've heard a LOT of good about Black Cherry; some people even said it was better than Sungold...(I haven't tasted either of them so I'm trusting what everyone says about how good they are)

I agree with Timmy that the later sown seeds to plants will not only catch up but surpass the earlier set out plants.

IMO many folks set out plants way too early and the sometimes harsh conditions in late Spring, Early summer, just don't allow for great growth.

Sometimes I've been put in the position of waiting for someone to send me seeds of something promised and I really DO WANT those seeds and have sown them later and all has been well.

And I agree that a transplant should be between maybe 6-9 inches and no taller.

Carolyn

That has been my experience. I usually plant in late March or early April. Last year I had some volunteers come up in early June and I grew them out. Within 6 weeks they had caught up with those that I had planted in the spring.

> Heck, I'll bet they will pass them.

I'll take that bet.

I don't plant them out too early, but I do start them way too early. Dec 22nd instead of the recommended March 1st-15th ish.

I'll post back here a few times this year.

Both your early and later planted seeds will make good ketchup.

I'm very curious about this subject too. I am starting 7 of my varieties next week (9 weeks to plant out of May 16) and even more at 6 weeks out. For Siletz and Sophie's Choice, there will be seeds for both 9 weeks out and 6 weeks out, so for those two I will (hopefully) be planting side-by-side plants of the same variety from the same source, but started 3 weeks apart. I'll post what happens.

But it's been killing me to read GW every day and not have started my seedlings yet. I've been ready for a month, just champin' at the bit.