Seed starting southern B.C.

henry · February 13, 2008

When would be the right time to start tomato seeds zone 4-5 last frost late March Early June. Transplanting into the garden after the first week of June. Last year I was to late and had lots of green tomatoes.

Henry

velikipop · February 13, 2008

Henry,

This year I'm starting my tomatoes in late March early April, hoping to plant late May early June. I used to plant earlier to no good use. Very little growth until we get the necessary warmth. Planting to early also exposes the plants to various foliar diseases.

Alex

salix · February 14, 2008

For what it's worth - here in zone 3, I start first of April, then do the hardening off "dance" early to mid May, then plant out (weather permitting, no full moon etc.) late May or early June.

kimpossible · February 14, 2008

In my Z 5b, SW Ont, usually "May 2-4", 3rd week of May is considered "safe" as far as frost is concerned. But records show that you can usually plant by May 15th. If you actually happen to get a frost after that, you can take precautions. So since the guideline is 6 to 8 weeks before last frost, I use May 15th as my date. Depending on how long germination takes, I like to add another week to 10 days for that. So my 6 to 8 weeks turns into 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 weeks. I figure if you can keep the plants healthy, the longer the better. But I have also read that the ideal transplanting height is 6". I don't know if I agree with that. If you have a fan on your seedlings and they are relatively strong and stocky (also achieved by keeping the light source (flourescents for me) only an inch to 2 inches away from the top of the plants, there is no harm in stretching the 6 to 8 week guideline. The other advantage to large seedlings (that are strong & healthy) is that when you plant them out, you can bury more of the stem, and therefore have a stronger root system.

My .03 cents.

grungy · February 14, 2008

Just over the mountains from you heading east. Planting the last week of March, transplanting into individual 3"X 5" pots the last week of April to the first week of May, transplant out garden after I am sure that we have had the last frost - last week May- first week of June.
Cheers,
Val / Grungy

henry · February 14, 2008

Your helpful hints should give my tomatoes a much improved start this year, live and learn.

Thanks Henry

February 13, 2008	#1
henry Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Midway B.C. Canada Posts: 311	Seed starting southern B.C. When would be the right time to start tomato seeds zone 4-5 last frost late March Early June. Transplanting into the garden after the first week of June. Last year I was to late and had lots of green tomatoes. Henry __________________ Henry

February 13, 2008	#2
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Henry, This year I'm starting my tomatoes in late March early April, hoping to plant late May early June. I used to plant earlier to no good use. Very little growth until we get the necessary warmth. Planting to early also exposes the plants to various foliar diseases. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan

February 14, 2008	#4
kimpossible Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Z5b SW Ont Canada Posts: 767	In my Z 5b, SW Ont, usually "May 2-4", 3rd week of May is considered "safe" as far as frost is concerned. But records show that you can usually plant by May 15th. If you actually happen to get a frost after that, you can take precautions. So since the guideline is 6 to 8 weeks before last frost, I use May 15th as my date. Depending on how long germination takes, I like to add another week to 10 days for that. So my 6 to 8 weeks turns into 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 weeks. I figure if you can keep the plants healthy, the longer the better. But I have also read that the ideal transplanting height is 6". I don't know if I agree with that. If you have a fan on your seedlings and they are relatively strong and stocky (also achieved by keeping the light source (flourescents for me) only an inch to 2 inches away from the top of the plants, there is no harm in stretching the 6 to 8 week guideline. The other advantage to large seedlings (that are strong & healthy) is that when you plant them out, you can bury more of the stem, and therefore have a stronger root system. My .03 cents. __________________ *So Many Tomatoes ... So Little Time*

February 14, 2008	#6
henry Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Midway B.C. Canada Posts: 311	Thanks All. Your helpful hints should give my tomatoes a much improved start this year, live and learn. Thanks Henry __________________ Henry

February 14, 2008	#3
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	For what it's worth - here in zone 3, I start first of April, then do the hardening off "dance" early to mid May, then plant out (weather permitting, no full moon etc.) late May or early June.

February 14, 2008	#5
grungy Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wynndel, BC, CANADA Posts: 78	Just over the mountains from you heading east. Planting the last week of March, transplanting into individual 3"X 5" pots the last week of April to the first week of May, transplant out garden after I am sure that we have had the last frost - last week May- first week of June. Cheers, Val / Grungy