My first tomato this year!

[Dak]

Was surprised this morning to find this little guy popping out of its Wall o Waters. It's a Costoluto Genovese (thanks again, Sun City Linda )

All I'm learning this year is beginning to pay off...

[lakelady]

wow, what a nice looking plant! What are the temps out your way these days? I'm hoping to start a few early ones in my yard in WOWs soon.

[PA_Julia]

Beautiful!!! I await with bated breath Mothers Day to plant mine outside!

[Dak]

Thank you! The daytime temperatures have been progressively getting nicer, in the 70's to the 80's, but nights have been cool.

I put my tomatoes in the ground towards the end of February. The first night they were in, we had a cold snap, it got down to 27. The panels of water in the Wall o Waters were frozen solid, but my tomatoes inside were fine! (Wall o waters does recommend you set up the Wall o Waters for about a week before you put your plants in, to warm up the soil)

More recently the night temps have been in the low 40's to the 50's, though still a possibility we could freeze again.

[efisakov]

Congrats, Dak.

[Greenredbean]

Once I saw the subject, I immediately clicked to check the location for this. Well, little surprise, California weather looks indeed excellent for gardening throughout the year. I am just getting my seeds planted Friday, as the Spring is rather late to arrrive this year in UK. Your tomato is looking healthy and very cute, congratulations, how big is the rest of the batch that you are cultivating? I also think that you could seriously consider big poster printing for that spacy image , it's like a natural decoration. What is that green material around the plant though, is that serving a particular purpose?

[Redbaron]

That is frost protection

[BucksCountyGirl]

Seeing the first fruit set of the season is so exciting! Congratulations and here's to many more little 'maters to come!

[Dak]

Originally Posted by Greenredbean

Once I saw the subject, I immediately clicked to check the location for this. Well, little surprise, California weather looks indeed excellent for gardening throughout the year. I am just getting my seeds planted Friday, as the Spring is rather late to arrrive this year in UK. Your tomato is looking healthy and very cute, congratulations, how big is the rest of the batch that you are cultivating? I also think that you could seriously consider big poster printing for that spacy image , it's like a natural decoration. What is that green material around the plant though, is that serving a particular purpose?

Yes, that green material is frost protection, it's called a Wall o Water, works really well.

I finally removed them yesterday and had the painful job of pruning suckers along the bottom, one downside of the Wall of Waters is you don't have access to how the plant is growing down below.

[Vespertino]

Congrats on the little tomato! I think I might check out wall o water, this spring has been usually cold for Texas, I might use them next year.

[Deborah]

That first one is always such a thrill !

[Greenredbean]

Ok, got it! We use a different term and shape for something that serves the same purpose. It apparently did indeed work well for you, so good job and keep those photos coming, I would definitely enjoy watching the progress while catching up .

[Dak]

Just an update, can almost taste my first BLT.

[lakelady]

that is so exciting! I am still such a long ways off from tasting a garden fresh tomato...so sad!

[Greenredbean]

It has grown quite considerably, looking healthy and quite alive! Thanks for keeping up the promise to update, I can hardly wait to see that color change! Is that the only tomato plant you are growing this year?