Plants

[Seth]

We were out of town on a fishing trip and my tomatoes got zapped by frost in late May last year and I replanted them around the first of June. They turned out fine. Is there a reason why you guys start them so early or is it just so you can get some early fruit?

[tho1mas]

Target----- 4th July.

[BilletHead]

The BilletHead's might of started their plants early too? I mean we did get a better start than last season. We have in the past bought some supplemental plants from Wal-Mart and had luck with them. Bought plants compared to what we start our plants looked tiny. This is why we started early. 11" height on the maters now and 4" on the peppers. We have had to add blocks to the table legs adding height for the lights. Keeping lights close to not get spindly plants. When we do go outside I will plant really deep about two thirds of the plant will be underground. So when should plants ideally be started indoors for mid Mo. ? Lettuce we started indoors and transplanted outside is going crazy good! Glad I have a cover for it as calling for hard frost/ maybe freeze here Friday night Saturday morning.

Like the cat fence? What am I doing with a cat? Mrs. BilletHead came home with this when the Son went off to college. Empty nest syndrome. I had no idea cats lived so long. Wouldn't want anything to happen to him but am ready for him to be gone.

BilletHead

[ness]

We were out of town on a fishing trip and my tomatoes got zapped by frost in late May last year and I replanted them around the first of June. They turned out fine. Is there a reason why you guys start them so early or is it just so you can get some early fruit?

I start a lot of stuff from seeds indoors --- I like the wide range of varieties available compared to the plants available in the spring. Cost is part of the equation, but either way it doesn't add up to a ton of money. I really enjoy it too -- something to do in the doldrums of winter, and I just flat enjoy watching the stuff grow.

I start early, but I don't put my stuff out too early, because a cold plant isn't going to do much no matter what. Tender stuff (like peppers, maters) are gonna do just fine in my basement, and I'll move them out into a cold frame to acclimate. They'll go in the ground when they're ready and the forecast looks good, not so much based on the average last frost date. (We all know how averages work, right?) If we get an unexpected cold snap after that I'll deal with it.

Stuff than can take a freeze (pea, radish, spinach, garlic, onion) are already in the ground. Some stuff that can take a frost are are in the ground too (beet, carrot). Other stuff is still under the lights in the basement.

So, I could wait until May 1 and buy plants and start seeds. My uncle and gardening mentor has always done it that way. I just enjoy my way too much.