Zone 5'rs, progress on your garden?

MrTudball · May 18, 2009

Was wondering if any of my fellow zone 5 gardeners have their tomatoes out yet? Normaly here in Nebraska I would have got my tomatoes transplanted about a week ago, but due to a late start, I had to order my plants in so new early transplanting for me. The last week would have been great for a good start (no wind, rain, and temps from 50-80). But of course the weather once the tomato plants are expected later this week is supposed to be windy and rainy thru next week.

Would love to hear where everyone else too see how your garden is doing so far.

Mark

PaulF · May 18, 2009

Tomatoes have been in for a week, but not much growth so You will be OK. Everything else looks good: potatoes up, green beans good, peas OK, cabbage starting to curl into heads, squashes and gourds planted but not up, cukes not up yet (planted from seed this year), watermelon, muskmelon and pumpkins planted today, strawberries beginning to show a blush. As you well know we have had both hot and dry and cool and rainy this spring.

Deere Guy · May 18, 2009

Although we might have pretty different climates in spring, since I'm a fellow zone 5'er, I thought I'd share a picture or 2.

The first picture is from just over 2 weeks ago. Cherry on the left and Brandywine on the right. The second picture is of the brandwine just a few minutes ago. The third is of my humble garden. (14 individual rows).

Thanks for looking.

MrTudball · May 18, 2009

Deer Guy, nice garden, thanks for posting the pictures. Looks like you have quite a large area to work with. How much of the day do your plants have direct sunlight?

Paul, cant wait to try some of your tomatoes this year, and thanks for the PM's.

**carolyn137** · May 18, 2009

As I think we all know not all zone 5's are the same. Here in my zone 5 in upstate NY on the VT border the last average frost date is May15th and we had frost warnings last night and also for tonight.

I learned many years ago not to ever plant out tomatoes until a couple of weeks after the last average frost date, so mine won't go out until around the first of June, weather permitting.

And last year we had a freak frost on June 7th, not that I remember specific dates or anything.

Deere Guy · May 19, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTudball

Deer Guy, nice garden, thanks for posting the pictures. Looks like you have quite a large area to work with. How much of the day do your plants have direct sunlight?

Thanks MrTudball. I have a nice little level patch that I'm growing in. Oddly enough, I live on top of a rock ledge just inches below the surface on 90% of my property. When tilling those strips, I only hit 2 small rocks. Perhaps it was worked when the house was built over 100 years ago.

As for sunlight, it runs from about 9am to 6pm on all but the first 2 rows to the north. I'll have to do some research and see what works best there. I have a tree row to the west and I could plant closer to that if I need to utilize more afternoon shade. It's all a work in progress.

Deere Guy · May 19, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn137

the last average frost date is May15th and we had frost warnings last night and also for tonight.

I learned many years ago not to ever plant out tomatoes until a couple of weeks after the last average frost date, so mine won't go out until around the first of June, weather permitting.

And last year we had a freak frost on June 7th, not that I remember specific dates or anything.

That would hamper things a bit now wouldn't it. Last year we had a freak early to mid May freeze that took everybody by surprise. We did have 40 for the low the other night, which was near record. My plants suffered through a couple 30 degree nights and came out of it just fine. I nearly had a stroke, though.

guruofgardens · May 23, 2009

I planted most of the tomatoes in WOW about 2 weeks ago - so far all have shown some sort of growth even though one of them was stepped on (!). Cool/hot weather - not really conducive for tomatoes. Planted 4 more today and still have 2 to go. Planted the rest of the garden(s) last weekend and today so nothing is up yet except for marigolds and zinnias. Lows still in the 40's. There's still hope.

piegirl · May 23, 2009

Almost all of mine have been in for about two weeks. Some are blooming. The ones I started are, of course, much smaller but strong. Still have few more to put in. Potatoes are looking good, peas have some growth but as you may know, we are in very serious drought in Lincoln. Less than 1/2 inch of rain since forever. Peas may come out early if the set isn't good. Cherries are dropping off the tree and many things just barely hanging on. Asparagus has been quite stunted even with watering. Rhubarb is fading quickly. The rains seem to break just west of the city and move to the north or south. Lawns are browning and lawn clipping which should be plentiful, are in short supply. piegirl

TZ-OH6 · May 24, 2009

We had two frosts last week. I had some peppers out and covered them. No problems. I planted out the rest of my healthy pepper starts over the past two days, and got a few tomatoes in. I still have to dig up two more garden plots before I can put the rest of the tomatoes in, but the plants are pretty small so I'm not going to hurt myself trying to get it done. That should be finished in a couple of days.

littlehands · May 25, 2009

I'm 5b and I've had some tomatoes out in raised beds for almost a month. My main crop is halfway out, the rest will go in tomorrow or Wed. I have several potted plants that have been in since mid April, but they lived in a cold frame for quite awhile. Those ones have blossoms but have not set fruit as of yet.

However, it's been unseasonably warm here. We are usually touch and go until about now as far as frost goes. May is a very precarious month for us. This year, our last frost was towards the end of April, so things have been amazing. I only covered twice and it didn't even freeze those times. Better safe than sorry, eh?

louster · May 25, 2009

Tomatoes are in, 36 of them in Earl's holes finished up today, yay!!!! Peppers were also planted yesterday. Potatoes were planted last month, they are up and doing really well. Peas are spotty, germination problems with them this year. Broccoli and lettuce have been in for awhile, both doing well. I have yet to plant the corn and pumpkins, will probably get those in over the next couple of days. I love this time of year!!!!

May 18, 2009	#1
MrTudball Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 48	Zone 5'rs, progress on your garden? Was wondering if any of my fellow zone 5 gardeners have their tomatoes out yet? Normaly here in Nebraska I would have got my tomatoes transplanted about a week ago, but due to a late start, I had to order my plants in so new early transplanting for me. The last week would have been great for a good start (no wind, rain, and temps from 50-80). But of course the weather once the tomato plants are expected later this week is supposed to be windy and rainy thru next week. Would love to hear where everyone else too see how your garden is doing so far. Mark

May 18, 2009	#2
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,284	Tomatoes have been in for a week, but not much growth so You will be OK. Everything else looks good: potatoes up, green beans good, peas OK, cabbage starting to curl into heads, squashes and gourds planted but not up, cukes not up yet (planted from seed this year), watermelon, muskmelon and pumpkins planted today, strawberries beginning to show a blush. As you well know we have had both hot and dry and cool and rainy this spring. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

May 18, 2009	#5
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	As I think we all know not all zone 5's are the same. Here in my zone 5 in upstate NY on the VT border the last average frost date is May15th and we had frost warnings last night and also for tonight. I learned many years ago not to ever plant out tomatoes until a couple of weeks after the last average frost date, so mine won't go out until around the first of June, weather permitting. And last year we had a freak frost on June 7th, not that I remember specific dates or anything. __________________ Carolyn

May 23, 2009	#8
guruofgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: zone 5 Colorado Posts: 942	I planted most of the tomatoes in WOW about 2 weeks ago - so far all have shown some sort of growth even though one of them was stepped on (!). Cool/hot weather - not really conducive for tomatoes. Planted 4 more today and still have 2 to go. Planted the rest of the garden(s) last weekend and today so nothing is up yet except for marigolds and zinnias. Lows still in the 40's. There's still hope.

May 23, 2009	#9
piegirl Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 791	Almost all of mine have been in for about two weeks. Some are blooming. The ones I started are, of course, much smaller but strong. Still have few more to put in. Potatoes are looking good, peas have some growth but as you may know, we are in very serious drought in Lincoln. Less than 1/2 inch of rain since forever. Peas may come out early if the set isn't good. Cherries are dropping off the tree and many things just barely hanging on. Asparagus has been quite stunted even with watering. Rhubarb is fading quickly. The rains seem to break just west of the city and move to the north or south. Lawns are browning and lawn clipping which should be plentiful, are in short supply. piegirl

May 24, 2009	#10
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	We had two frosts last week. I had some peppers out and covered them. No problems. I planted out the rest of my healthy pepper starts over the past two days, and got a few tomatoes in. I still have to dig up two more garden plots before I can put the rest of the tomatoes in, but the plants are pretty small so I'm not going to hurt myself trying to get it done. That should be finished in a couple of days.

May 25, 2009	#11
littlehands Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: So. Utah Posts: 6	I'm 5b and I've had some tomatoes out in raised beds for almost a month. My main crop is halfway out, the rest will go in tomorrow or Wed. I have several potted plants that have been in since mid April, but they lived in a cold frame for quite awhile. Those ones have blossoms but have not set fruit as of yet. However, it's been unseasonably warm here. We are usually touch and go until about now as far as frost goes. May is a very precarious month for us. This year, our last frost was towards the end of April, so things have been amazing. I only covered twice and it didn't even freeze those times. Better safe than sorry, eh?

May 25, 2009	#12
louster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, MI Posts: 53	Tomatoes are in, 36 of them in Earl's holes finished up today, yay!!!! Peppers were also planted yesterday. Potatoes were planted last month, they are up and doing really well. Peas are spotty, germination problems with them this year. Broccoli and lettuce have been in for awhile, both doing well. I have yet to plant the corn and pumpkins, will probably get those in over the next couple of days. I love this time of year!!!!