Last year I learnt a hard lesson: I started my peppers (Yolo wonder) FAR too late, resulting in me picking the grand total of 2 green peppers You've probably guessed it: my peppers are now almost ready to be planted out, but the weather still isn't warm enough. -5C at night, barely 3 or 4C daytime. Roll on warm sunshine, so I can finally plant my little peppers outside
Peppers should be started a few weeks before tomatoes as their germination rate can be very sporadic, up to a MONTH on some of the hot varieties. Bottom HEAT is a MUST for peppers; good light, regular applications of a WEAK fertilizer after seeds germinate. Tomatoes are very quick to sprout and begin growing, only take a few weeks to reach transplanting size, peppers are much slower..and a lot "touchier". Don't know what you're planting in (cells or pots), but DO plant at least THREE seeds each. If ALL come up, CUT OUT the extras at soil level; do NOT try separating out as it'll disrupt the root system of the one you want to leave for production, may even lose that. A packet of pepper seeds are supposedly viable (?) for three years, but it's very worthwhile to use NEW ones every year, so don't feel bad about removing extra seedlings via sharp-nosed scissors and discarding! Make SURE whatever you start (any) seeds in does NOT already contain any type of pelleted fertilizers: this will "kill" seeds in nothing flat thru contact! Do use a "seed starting medium" to get good results. Peppers, especially, can be a "head ache", just takes trial and error..ask me, I KNOW (lol)! Good LUCK with them; may your crop be heavy and productive!
Thanks for the info, weeds n seeds! Normally I start my seeds indoors & plant them on in larger pots outside as soon as the weather permits (taking them in overnight if there is any frost). Usually this is a rather seamless transition. This year, however, the cold winter-weather has lasted right up to now, including a biting Easterly wind. Unprecedented! To illustrate my awkward predicament: ( photo / image / picture from gardenelf's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from gardenelf's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from gardenelf's Garden ) The third photo shows the (cherry) tomatoes on the right, so puny because I have no heated room left to put them. This is an unheated spot, it's only 6C there now. Normally it would be at least 14C this time of year. I still want to sow a few Money Makers, but I've run out of space. No tomato soup this summer, I guess....
Tomato Propagation For a great overall introduction to the propagation of tomato plants from seed, go to the website devoted to the teachings of the greatest organic gardener ever, Alan Chadwick. He virtually started the organic gardening movement in the USA with his demonstration garden at the University of California back in 1967. Hope this helps, Carlo
My daughter saved seeds, gave several to me, not knowing which type, just tomato seeds. I have 7 peat pots with her seeds. I also ordered Heirloom Italian, and they sent another type which is new to me. All in all, I have 21 peat pots with tiny tomato plants peeking up through the planting medium. I plan to buy a few Celebrity plants for a high acid tomato.
growingpains said: I grow celebrity and I don't think they are high acid tomatoes, more of a smooth, sweet tomato. If you want higher acid I would recommend marglobes. they are tangy. I think they are heirloom or maybe just OP, but produce fairly well. I have a couple of customers who only want those because they are uniform, tangy, and red.
