The seedlings are going into dirt

16 years ago

Well, the soil temp in the framed beds is 60 at 6" deep, the seedlings have gotten 5 days of gradual exposure to sunlight (one extra hour per day), they look stocky and healthy, the weather is predicted to warm for several days.

They are going into the dirt! We are on our way for the season... I am growing Suddith Brandywine, Caspian Pink, Cherokee Purple, Prudens Purple, Aunt Gerties Gold, and Tennessee Britches. The last 2 are new to me. My seedlings are home-grown, and about 10" tall with 4 (some 5) pairs of leaves. I will plant them 6" deep.

Also growing Black Cherry from a hanging 5 gallon pot.

This year I'm going to artificially pollinate some blossoms, isolate and mark them, and save the seeds of each (following the detailed instructions from here).

I plan to foliar spray (kelp meal) biweekly, desucker after 3rd stem, in cages, and I'll use red plastic on the ground. I've dug in 3 inches of good compost in good friable soil plus "some" 2-6-6 organic fertilizer. I will also give them a spray of "soap-shield" every other week (between foliar sprays). I have 3 separate sprayers for (organic) insecticides, foliar, and herbicides.

I'm placing a sheet of plywood painted bright white behind them to increase light exposure (I get only 6 hours sunlight at this best spot).

I am growing a 2nd set of seedlings to put out in late May (backups).

I intend to weave wandering tomato branches back into the cage. If I'm missing anything, let me know.

Wish me luck. LOL!

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Comments (9)

dave1mn2
16 years ago
Don't know what kind of winds you get but it is seldom still here. Enough so that visitors from quiet weather places get a little antsy and take time to adjust.

Variable gusts to 40ish are not daily but not rare. 20-30 is common.

A plywood light screen would definatly need to be sturdily anchored.
wild_forager
16 years ago
Yardenman, if you live in MD you should check your weather. It is not going to be a nice night. Even in zone seven it might still be in the 30's, which will not be good for your tomatoes. Try waiting two or three days until the nighttime temps return to the 50's.
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"the tops were ok but the middles evaporated . . . ." That is classic damping off. There is some info about it on the FAQ on starting tomatoes from seeds, I have included the link below. There are several things that can be done to combat damping off. Most important is to use a sterile seed starting mix (NO DIRT!) Some sprinkle cinnamon on the surface of the growing medium, some mix it in before planting, watering with a weak solution of chamomile tea can help, as can a diute solution of hydrogen peroxide. Be careful not to overwater, wait until the medium is nearly dry but avoid wilting. As soon as the seeds break soil remove any cover that you have over them. They need air circulation. A small fan on the plants several times a day can also help. (Sometimes if you have them planted in a deep container it blocks too much air flow.) I use a timer that has 30 minute increments on it and run it for 30 minutes every 3 or 4 hours. I don't think I have had a damping off problem in years. (**Knock on wood.**) Betsy Here is a link that might be useful: How do I start tomatoes from seed?
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hemnancy
16 years ago
I set out 18 plants under tunnels April 8 and have some more hardening off on the porch. In the past I've had frosts and snow after setting out plants under tunnels and they were not harmed.
bigdaddyj
16 years ago
Good Luck Yman. I am zone 7 east of you and waiting. It was 31F here early this morning. I may plant a couple of mine out now but no more than I can cover at night if need be. But mostly I wait for around May 1.

Our forcast looks great here too. But I'm waiting...:)
daddylonglegs
16 years ago
Yman, your moment has come, enjoy! I'm a few weeks behind you so I'll live vicariously thru you for now.
By the way, have you had blossom end rot problems early in the season? I like to ask people this because I'm not yet convinced that it is mostly a calcium problem, I think soil temp has something to do with it too.
yardenman
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, fortunately, I got delayed yesterday. I sure was surprised to see frost on the car this morning. But I will be putting them out in Wall O Waters, so they should be protected all cozy and warm. :)

Daddylonglegs - Some years I've had problems with BER, especially the earliest fruits. I think I had only a couple fruits with BER last year. I add about 4" of compost in the beds each year, and I add eggshells and broken chicken bones in that. That may be helping me. I think also that the early fast-growing plant struggles to provide enough calcium to the first fruits.

Hemnancy - I like to try to push the season. But that's why I always have a few backups. One of these years, I'm going to try every trick suggested to plant early. But "early" planting time always catches me unready.

Wild Forager - My tomato box is up against the southern foundation of the house, which helps. But I depend on the Wall O Waters for most wind protection. I love those things! I just wish they were easier to fill.
timmy1
16 years ago
Yardenman,

You got zinged last night and you will be touch and go again tonight.

Geez, maybe there is a full moon due?
yardenman
Original Author
16 years ago
Timmy - Yeah, it got unusually cold last night. But I planted the seedlings in a warm raised bed and put Wall O Waters over them early so the water will warm good by tonight. That will protect them from the wind, too. I checked the air temp inside the Wall O Waters and it got up to 75, so the seedlings should be fine. I might cover the Wall O Waters with a blanket tonight. But even after last night's frost, the soil temp was 65 in the early morning so I think they should be fine.

And I have 2 backups for every one I plant out, "just in case".

I do have to say that I pay no attention to "Full Moon". I don't think it affects garden crops at all. I planted my smaller crops (carrots, radishes, beets, lettuce, onions, spinach, etc) when I "shouldn't" (according to moon cycle ideas) and they are coming up great.
timmy1
16 years ago
I hear you. Wall O Waters are great!

The seedlings are going into dirt

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The seedlings are going into dirt

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