Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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April 1, 2012 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jersey
Posts: 1,183
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10 day forecast
the 10 day forcast doesnt go below 40....should i plant out? i do have backups in case of late frost
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April 1, 2012 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jersey
Posts: 1,183
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i'm in micro-climate....on an island surrounded by 45-50 degree water
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April 1, 2012 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: delaware
Posts: 25
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It's the same over here in Newark, Delaware! Sooooo tempting. My squah seedlings are now too tall for the lights so out they go. The tomatoes stay under the lights as long as they fit under the lights. I ony have a couple of each variety so I'm not taking any chances.
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April 1, 2012 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SF bay area... north bay
Posts: 242
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Do it! Just be prepared to cover them up if it gets too cold.
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April 1, 2012 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Alpine, Calif. in winter. Sandpoint Lake, Ont. Canada summers
Posts: 850
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Has anyone tried this? If a hard freeze is expected, cover the tomato cage
with a large trash bag and on the ground away from any leaves, have a candle lit inside of a coffee can. I would suspect that that one candle should generate enough heat to at least compensate for 5-8 degrees. I suspect that vent holes would be a necessity. It worked in my hoop house but it required six candles. For some of you that have like 100 or more plants, this method could get a little spendy, huh? Try the dollar store for candles. |
April 2, 2012 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,591
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Or instead of the candles, try about 3-5 gal jugs of water inside the cage surrounding the plant. The mass of the water should protect for at least 3-5 degrees. More if it was in the cage surrounded by clear plastic for a few sunny days to warm up. The clear plastic would also warm up the soil and that will also help.
Check out my "early planting" page here http://knapps-fresh-vegies.netfirms.com/tips.html Carol |
April 2, 2012 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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I believe we saw our last frost awhile back already. I set out 4 plants yesterday. Soil temp in the bed was 62 degrees and it was a cloudy day. This is three to four weeks early for my area.
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
April 2, 2012 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central IL (5b)
Posts: 20
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I put mine out yesterday in Central IL (5b). I'm looking at low 70's during the day and 40ish at night. Just in case, they are in Wall of Waters for a few weeks. Hopefully I won't need the back up plants I still have under lights indoors. I know it is pretty risky but I just couldn't make myself wait!
Last edited by Derby; April 2, 2012 at 12:38 PM. |
April 2, 2012 | #9 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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Quote:
How many weeks early does that make you Derby?
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
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April 2, 2012 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: zone 5
Posts: 821
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Quote:
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April 2, 2012 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central IL (5b)
Posts: 20
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It is about two weeks early for me but closer to a month early for most growers here. Most around here wait until May first.
Last edited by Derby; April 2, 2012 at 07:37 PM. |
April 2, 2012 | #12 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 30
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Look at the Pecan trees
Quote:
I always use the pecan trees to determine when there will be no more frost... When the leaf buds start breaking open on them, there will be no more frost. This has been my yardstick for about 30 years, and they have never steered me wrong. An old farmer in SW Georgia told me about that trick way back when...
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-- Steve "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." Henry David Thoreau |
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April 2, 2012 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Posts: 1,332
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Steve,
If the pecans know, why don't they tell the apricots? Pretty darn selfish of them, don't ya think? (And that has to be the cutest picture I've seen on here! Child or grandchild?) |
April 3, 2012 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 30
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{g}
Quote:
(Actually, i don't know who's child it is... when i found the picture on the internet though, i knew i had a kindred spirit somewhere )
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-- Steve "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." Henry David Thoreau |
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April 3, 2012 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 993
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I had a touch of frost last night... out of the blue. No warnings.
The plants I had outside dodged it as they were close to buildings. The four toms I put in under black plastic were saved by their warm beds and short height.
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George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
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