[Got Worms?]

It's complicated. I was hoping to keep the secret to myself, but you have asked, ...and so I must reply. In absentia of knowledge, as it should always be, based on pure science (lol), and facts; being that the involvement of the so said factors (facts) are very diverse and at the same time extremely convoluted, there is only chaotic therum to utilize.

Even in consideration of, and in addition to this, our historical meteorological data in and of which we base our forward thought of atmospheric comprehension and all that it implies, it would be a bogus assumption on our part to even think that we could rely on this pitifully inadequate (even if intentionally well meaning) system of agricultural aforethought, were it to be our only means of bringing order to the chaos previously mentioned. Furthermore, and without bias or prejudices for those that endeavor to cast to the fore, I say: "Give it up!"

Now, lets get down to the real nitty gritty. For those of you that are still with me... I'm a gambling man, but only when the odds are well in my favor, and I must also have a back up plan, a contingency, a plan B as they say. Winging it is a gamble with odds that I don't like. Two weeks ago things looked great for setting out plants, and I've set out plants in mid April before, right here where the average last frost date is May 15, and the county extension says "not 'till two weeks after the ALF date". If I had put them out I wouldn't have them now, unless I made preparations well in advance, which I was not willing to put the effort into. Preparations include cloches, plastic, sprinklers, alarm clock, remote temp. sensors, timers etc., etc., etc.

"So", you say,"how do I determine when to plant out?" Yes, I'm getting to that. At my age it's the journey that counts not the destination. How much work and time am I willing to invest in getting that early tomato; that extra two to three weeks of production on each end of the season? Do you see where I'm going? When do you want to plant out? How much time/money are you willing to invest. This is the big consideration. Do you have the time? Fickle weather can be demanding.

In some years I've played it safe and waited 2 weeks after the ALF date and checked the forecast to be sure there would be at least a nice number (4-5) warm days with frost less nights ahead before setting out plants. These were the lazy years. And they still weren't guaranteed.

Then there was my ancient Indian folklore years: Plant corn seed with a fish head buried 4 fingers below it when oak leaves are as big as mouse ears, etc. (Best corn I ever grew, BTW.) Sacrifice a spring lamb to the BBQ god. Check the forecast from Stonehenge, moon phases, and my all time favorite: Plant out when enough beating hearts have been torn from the chests of our enemies and hurled down the stone steps of the pyramid to insure a good harvest. Blood is high in nitrogen!

For the record and those just wanting to know: Unless there's a big storm and my garden has been turned into a big mud hole, I'll be setting out my tomato plants on May first. Why?...no reason, I just want to.
Charlie