Scott You might be surprised how early you can plant without any cover if you plant the right vegetables. See web site below for your local county agricultural agency for earliest planting dates. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html I used to garden in South Dakota and I once planted on the early date recommended by the local agency. I was so determined to plant on time that I went out and chiped a half inch of ice off the soil so I could plant. I was a little surprised when they came up. I was very worried when one week later we had another ice storm and the seedlings were incased in ice. But as soon as the ice melted, they exploded with growth. Peas and beets can also be planted very early if you plant the right variety. Here is a link that might be useful: Crop Rotation

Daniel, I have experienced very similar results this year in northern MN. All seeds were started at the same time, planted out at the same time, and treated the same. 2 of my early varieties (Glacier & Bloody Butcher) did beat Cherokee Purple, but only by 8 or 9 days. About 10 days after the 1st early small tomatoes, I picked a Giant Belgium that weighted 1# 8oz. At about 2 weeks after the earliest fruit, several 1# plus C.P. were being picked. The 1st fruit from my "Early Pick" variety were just starting about this same time. However, other large varieties, are very late. Mortgage Lifter, Black Krim, Super Steak, Super Beef Steak, are all very Sloooow. All plants are growing in the same conditions. This is the Giant Belgium that was only about 10 days behind to early little tomatoes: A very strange year.

Well, I am quite thrilled to read these great responses! I live in Zone 7, but our Winter is still long. The zones just refer to the extremes in temperature, not how long it lasts. I have noticed volunteer tomatoes come out earlier than I would choose to plant out. So, I can watch for that as a sign. I do not have any trouble with legginess of my tomato seedlings. I have a picture window that faces full-South, and shelves there (for seedling starting in Winter) outfitted with shop-lights. I read somewhere that it is important to use fresh bulbs (fluorescent tubes) as the light diminishes over time. I do not get new ones every year, but if one seems to put out less (judging by the plants), I use that on my alpine strawberry seedlings or something else that doesn't mind. I want to start even earlier because I'd like to keep tomato strains true when I grow them out. I plan to grow out severl this year, and if one flowers first for a week, then they are in the clear, and I can mark those fruits, and then not really worry about the rest. I guess what I mean is that an early & staggered start will allow me to focus on each plant as it comes into bloom, selecting from that, and moving on to the next one. I do have some limitations (medically), so it would be easier to focus on them staggered rather then so many at one time. It may not work out the way I hope, but I figure it is a good experiment for this year. By choosing good varieties for this (my un-familiarity with varieties hurts my experiment here) I can better insure success. The funny thing is that I don't really eat tomatoes--except in spaghetti sauce. BUT, everyone else loves them, and I find there is a group involved with tomatoes that have a zeal for the plant like no other vegetable/fruit. A great deal of home-breeding is going on, and I find it the most fascinating thing. Tomatoes provide a great opportunity to study genetics at home, and to look very intensely at varietal development in plants. I guess I am hooked for a reason not common to most, but I am hooked. So, I will try my experiment this year, and see how it works for me. I am thankful at the varieties/categories I see mentioned. When mentioning "use determinate or dwarf" plants, how can I find out which is which? I have consulted some websites, but is there a thorough tomato base out there? Keep the posts coming! Happy Holidays, Robin

Lucky You Glenda! I never had them until about 5 years ago.I still don't have them bad but they have been bothering me a lot lately.I have a constant tickle in my throat and have to suck on a cough drop a lot.DDIL told me today that I need to go to the doctor because she can hear me coughing at night.I told her if she and DS would quit smoking in the bathroom I wouldn't be coughing as much! LOL I can smell it through my A/C vent and I have the vent closed! I take benadryl and that usually takes care of it.My doctor gave me a prescription back in the fall for a nasal spray but it was $135.00 so I figured I'd just keep doing what I had been doing.LOL Everything is blooming here now so I'm sure that is the biggest problem.Cigarette smoke bothers me more than anything.They usually don't smoke in the house except for night time,in their bathroom.