You can seperate them as soon as the first true set of leafs appear. They will take an incedible amount of abuse, or so it seems to me, that we invoke when we split them and reset them. Be sure to handle them by the leafs instead of the stem. They will grow new leafs but not new stems. I transplant a second time when they are about 3" and touching. Each time into a slighty bigger pot and bury them as deep as possible each time. The third time is usually into a 4" pot and then outside with the doods to harden em off. Crazy Larry

After reading many of your posts about germinating seeds, etc., I'm getting worried. I just got the seeds I ordered, and wanted to get them planted this weekend. The last frost is 4/22 per the almanac. Am I too late? I sure hope not - I really wanted to start from seeds this year. ***** Not all zone 5's are the same as regards last average frost date but I don't know any of them that have a date of the third week in April as you've indicated. Last average frost date for me in zone 5 is May 15th and I won't set out plants until two weeks later b'c frosts do occur that late. So my seeds are started about April 1st, and with a week of hardening off are ready to set out about the first of June, weather permitting. Perhaps a call to your local Coop Ext service could confirm that last average frost date for you b'c I'm not sure what you mean by an almanac date. ( smile) Carolyn

No it isn't too late. It will be a month before they can be safely planted outside anyway unless you use protection. My average last frost date is mid April but I am not really safe from frost until after the 1st week in May. You have time to get some plants started. You might grab three or four plants from a store to have some early tomatoes but you will not be far behind with your seedlings. The plants in stores are sold too early. I saw tender flowering plants, herbs like basil and tomatoes for sale at Lowe's today - they need warm weather and warm nights which I don't get until May.

justin_linker , OK don't anyone throw toms at me :-)) I would try it. Take your tom and pepper seeds and put them in a glass of warm water 24 hours. Then put the seeds on wet paper towel in a zip bag. Keep them warm. If you have a gas stove with a pilot light in the oven keep them in there with a BIG note on the door so you do not cook them. Check them everyday for roots. When you see roots put them in very moist seed starting mix (NOT jiffy pellets) -- keep the seed mix moist but not wet. Put the whole thing back in the oven and check every day until you see green sprouts as soon as you see sprouts put them under lights or in a really sunny window. I just did this with Jimmy Nardello pepper seeds and from start to seedling leaf stage took me 8 days. I used seed starting heat mat not gas oven. I do have them under shoplights on seed starting heat mat. I keep the seed heat mat on 24/7 and the lights on 16 hours a day. I expect to plant them out in a protected 2-liter soda bottle greenhouse in 2 weeks. Will it work?? Do not know never did this before. *Why no jiffy pellets?? I find seedling leaf are better able to sprout in seed starting mix and that may save you several days IMHO. *No gas oven with pilot light?? Put them on top of the fridge if it is warm up there. The seeds on wet paper in zip bag must be kept at least 70 degrees IMHO. *Protected soda bottle - cut bottom from a green 2-liter soda bottle and punch the entire bottle with holes for air. Put this over plant and keep in a slightly shaded area for few days until plant is large enough to uncover. As we do not know what part of North Carolina you are in - can't really tell if you will have enough time. I am in Central Virginia and I fully expect Jimmy Nardello peppers in August my first frost is usually not until first part of Novermber. If you are in Central or Southern NC you should give it a try - it is only May 16 today! DL (who likes to experiment)