Tomato seed need the basic requirment below: Use seed starting mix,dampped by warm water Plant your seeds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep. Firm the mix lightly to ensure that the seed is in direct contact with the moist mix. The seed needs to absorb moisture during the germination process. The optimum temperature range of 70 to 80F (21 to 27C). Germination is delayed by lower temperatures and accelerated by higher temperatures. Temperatures below 50F (10C) or above 95F (35C) are detrimental to germination The germination needs 5-10 days. I had over 30 tomato seedlings from my seeds and they are 3" tall already Wendy

I have avoided this post because this is SO HARD to answer. I feel like if I mention one, the others seeds will say, "Well, fine! We won't germinate for you!" So my lips are sealed. Truly, it's after they really grown in the yard (and second or third year on perennials) that I get an idea of whether i truly look forward to them or not. I've noticed that when I rely and wait eagerly on one plant, it always seems to be another plant that I sorely underrated that performs (and dresses up the garden) beyond my wildest dreams (and beyond the one I was waiting so eagerly for). Linda

Hello Dancinglemons. How about 15 minutes West of Richmond, Va.? I recall that Snowstorm, we had, last Easter, which turned a Dining room into a Greenhouse, which caused some serious grief, around here. I lost quite a few plants, I'd raised from seed, waiting to get some real sunshine back. If you are confident and willing to keep that close watch on our weather and temps, you may set them out early, with a reasonable risk. I had the neighbors laughing, at the 18' Tomato Trees, until they got a few of the free toms. I was doing the SFG technique, with some modifications and my own Hot-rod soil mixes. Learned some valuable lessons, good and bad. Working on my second garden spot, this year, to expand my harvest and selections, to do. I'll share things, I learned, if you are interested, just contact me, via an E-Mail. Mike in Montpelier.

All of our tomatoes have put on a LOT of new growth and many blooms; I harvested tomatoes yesterday from this new growth. The tomato trimmings I stuck in my flowerbeds are blooming, no tomatoes yet but have my fingers crossed. I have more trimmings in a 5 gal bucket rooting in water. That seems to work very well with less wilt when put in the soil. We may have to buy another freezer if all these tomato plants produce tomatoes and we have a late freeze! The neighbors will be happy...one neighbor said his wife wanted 8 lbs of tomatoes but our one little grocery store wanted $4/lb so he just bought 4 lbs! He was very tickled when we showed up with a bag of tomatoes for them. I have already swapped for over a dozen different varieties of tomatoes to try next year such as Big Zac, Cherokee Purple, etc. The volunteer pepper plant is a Poblano and it is covered with peppers, am currently letting a couple of them ripen so I can save seeds. These two are a brillant red, very pretty on the tall plant which is taller than me. Some are over 6 inches long and hope to make some chili rellenos while my hubby is off the next two days. Sweet Potato vines continue to snake through the beds and are blooming very pretty purple blooms. Gotta make trellis or arbors for vertical gardening next year! The Delicata Squash turned out to be Spaghetti Squash instead. Mildew has been a problem with it since I use shower nozzle on hose to water, hoping to add soaker hose or drip irrigation next year. Currently harvesting comfrey leaves for the compost pile and to make comfrey tea. Yesterday harvested 3 yellow icebox sized watermelons and should have cantaloupe any day now from a volunteer vine that came up from last year's compost pile. Am reading online to see how to harvest basil before a freeze gets it. Have two varieties this year and have swapped for seeds for 3 or 4 more for 2008 garden. We are creating an outdoor living room. Currently painting our outdoor furniture some lively colors to go with all the flowers. The area has 2 walls consisting of cannas, 3rd wall is a lantana bed; we look forward to relaxing in the shade with a cool beverage and watching the butterflies and hummingbirds nectaring and laying their eggs on host plants. Have two pots of mint by the glider, chocolate mint perfumes the air (I crave chocolate after brushing against it!) but the orange mint is disappointing. Hoping to add other varieties of mint in 2008. God Bless! Peggy