when are people starting their tomato and pepper seeds. I am thinking this weekend for the peppers...
When do you plan to plant them out? When is your last frost? I like to start my peppers about 10 weeks before they are to go out in the garden. Also use a heat mat or some such heat source to keep the seeds warm, they will germinate much better. If they have no heat they may not germinate at all. My tomatoes I start 6-8 weeks ahead.
I hear you although I like starting them from seed. Prob start some ghost chilis and pepperoncinis tonight
I'm like Mart. It is just easier to buy them already started. But more power to those who like to raise them from tots to table.
I've up-potted my Sungold, Yellow Pear, and Red Pear cherry-type tomatoes, and the Opalkas and Polish Linguisas (plum types) will get up-potted this week. I hope to start hardening off later this week, but right now the winds are so strong the plants would blow right out of their pots! Like Mart, I buy pepper starts (Cal Wonder and Keystone Select bells) and my standard tomato, Celebrity. My seed starting area is limited, so I only start the ones I can't get locally as transplants. Our last frost date is mid-March (but I've never seen a frost that late in 15 years) so I start tomatoes in January after I recuperate from the holidays. I allow two weeks for germination, then start counting for planting out time.
I am going to plant the giant tomatoes in a few weeks.. There is a $500 prize for the grower who grows a world record!!!
What varieties are you growing? There are a few that are whoppers naturally. http://www.tomatofest.com/tomato-seeds- ... ction.html http://www.reimerseeds.com/giant-belgium-tomato.aspx Even if you don't order from any of these, aim for the varieties that naturally are large. Big Zac and Burpees Delicious (although I didn't think it was all that delicious when I grew it) grow fairly large, too.
Carolyn, do you stagger the peppers and tomatoes or do they all get started at the appropriate time? First time pepper grower, Jerry
I grow the delicious variety. I grew one almost 3 pounds. PlantYourOwn is having the contest. I was in it last year and will do it again this year.
Ahhh Jerry, I have tomatoes to plant tomorrow in one of my greenhouses if all gets done on time. Then I will plant again in April in a high tunnel, May in the garden with Wall O Waters and June in the garden with no protection, all about a month apart depending on the weather. Peppers will get planted in a similar pattern, just not as many in the high tunnels and greenhouse as outside. I started a grafting project for my more susceptible to disease varieties for the garden...we will see if it is a failure or a flop.
My favorite garden guy, Frankie Flowers, tells me it's time to plant my tomatoes and peppers! I'll be doing that today
I want to try and graft some of the mares. Don't know where to start. Any recommendations on reading material?
Huh? I am sorry, I am not able to decide exactly what it is you want to graft. Maters? mares are horses to me. Now if you want some night-mares, I am not sure how to go about grafting those...
