1969912 0 #1 March 24, 2013 Is anyone growing tomatoes this summer? Post pics! I'm trying to grow them from seeds for the first time. Gotta start early here because it's so cold (low 20's this morning, and last frost near the end of May), so I started the seeds 3 weeks ago. Transplanted them from the seed starter yesterday, but had to throw 4 out of 16 away because they wouldn't stay erect. I'll introduce them to the mini greenhouse in a week or so, and will then build a bigger one. They are Cherokee Purple. Crappy pics attached... If ayone has advice or tips, please post. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #2 March 24, 2013 Advice, move someplace warmer. 50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amon 0 #3 March 24, 2013 Aren't the lights too close, such that the heat will wither them? For the limp ones, grind up a viagra pill and spread it over the dirt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #4 March 24, 2013 QuoteAren't the lights too close, such that the heat will wither them? For the limp ones, grind up a viagra pill and spread it over the dirt. The lights have been that close for 2 weeks, and I just raise the lights as the plants get taller. I can't feel the heat from them on my fingers at that distance. The chicken manure and bat poop in the soil should act as viagra for plants. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #5 March 24, 2013 CFLs don't bleed much heat at all. I wouldn't break one in the greenhouse, or you'll have to call in the men in white suits to decontaminate the thing. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #6 March 24, 2013 I've never done from seed. I always buy the little 3" plants in the "6 packs." Usually the beginning of April. I put them in bigger pots and keep them on my kitchen table until Memorial Day. Last frost date and soil temps keep them inside until then. I plant them, put cages around them and water them. I usually go heavier on the cherry or grape tomatoes, with a couple of plants of full size."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #7 March 25, 2013 Is that really all you have to do? I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,384 #8 March 25, 2013 How do we know those are really tomato plants? "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #9 March 25, 2013 Quote Is that really all you have to do? I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. Pretty much. It isn't all that hard. Decent soil, good sun and keep them watered. Yank out the weeds before they take over. 10-15 minutes a day keeps the weeds down. I compost my kitchen scraps and use that for fertilizer (I don't use chemical fertilizers). Where I live, a six-pack of starter veggies is a buck or two for the littlest ones. Get a couple of what you think you'd like to eat and give it a try. All you'll be out is a couple bucks if it fails. I've been growing a basic garden for a number of years. Tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts. I tried peas, spinach and a couple other things that didn't work. I grew cauliflower fairly successfully, but my (now ex-) wife was the one who wanted that."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
promise5 17 #10 March 25, 2013 My mom swears by a product called Spray and Grow,its also organic. It must be very good because my mom has the ability to kill silk plants,yet has been able to have a garden every year except for the times we've moved.No matter how slowly you say oranges it never sounds like gullible. Believe me I tried. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #11 March 25, 2013 I've had good results growing tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Just drill a bunch of holes in the bottom for drainage, and fill it with a good soil amendment (made for improving bland soil, but just use it straight from the bag). I'm using this http://www.kellogggarden.com/products?brand=gardnerbloome&category=gardnerbloome-soils#2, but I have used something called Bumper Crop in the past. Don't use crappy Miracle Grow potting soil because it doesn't drain well. Use a stick to help support the plant at first. You'll need a wire cage thing after the plant gets big so you can use string or panty hose material to tie off and support the branches when the heavy fruit develops. Lots of sun and water. Maybe add some fertilizer after a couple months. The starting from seed thing is completely new to me. In the past I got plants from the university that had been started in a proper greenhouse. They don't grow the heirloom varieties like Cherokee Purple. They're crazy looking but are supposed to be good. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #12 March 25, 2013 Quote My mom swears by a product called Spray and Grow,its also organic. It must be very good because my mom has the ability to kill silk plants,yet has been able to have a garden every year except for the times we've moved. I didn't even know that mulberry grew here. I tripped once, and tore a hole in my favorite silk pants. My knee was bloody, too. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loch1957 0 #13 March 25, 2013 Every time I try to grow veggies they turn into this.Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
promise5 17 #14 March 25, 2013 No matter how slowly you say oranges it never sounds like gullible. Believe me I tried. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #15 March 25, 2013 Oh, the angst! Show-off! Your garden looks amazing! lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southern_Man 0 #16 March 25, 2013 I put in a raised bed last year and had good success, except what the groundhog ate. Got a few surprises for him this year. Anyway, it is fairly easy. So far all I've planed this year is lettuce, which is now covered in snow I'll start tomatoes and peppers from seed sometime in the next week or two. "What if there were no hypothetical questions?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #17 March 25, 2013 Quote I put in a raised bed last year and had good success, except what the groundhog ate. Got a few surprises for him this year. Fire in the hole! (WHOOOMP!) "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #18 March 25, 2013 re: advice or tips it IS fun to start from seeds but try to prevent the seedlings from getting toooo lanky or spindly Often it's good to get the plants AT planting time, from a reputable garden store soas to spare the plants the SHOCK of moving from indoors to outdoors... Resist setting them In the outdoor location too early, and cover them when a cold night is expected... P.S. grow some cucumbers AND Basil and a few red onions,,, as those items, when combined, make a Great summertime salad..don't forget the salt.We have a grocery store here, that sells fresh basil,,,In plastic, With bare roots still intact...(for using in the kitchen ) well I take them and Plant THOSE in the garden... and in a month or so, they can double in size... either way. gardening IS fun If you have the time and if you are AROUND..... in order to keep them "hydrated"...I had also planted a bunch of basil last year, from seeds that I saved from the previous years crop...The plants grew Like weeds!!!! I now have a huge amount of sweet basil seeds, for this year..... enough to share... If ANy friends here, would Like some, i'll be happy to mail them to you... message me, with any requests and with a mailing address...jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene03 0 #19 March 26, 2013 And they are delicious in a veggie/groundhog stew.“The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him. Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906-1966) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quack 0 #20 March 27, 2013 Quote Is that really all you have to do? I want to grow herbs and tomatoes, but I'm totally intimidated by it. I have a hard time keeping our one houseplant alive. I tell my kids that if they were one of my plants, they'd be dead by now. I have black thumbs as well, and yes, just grab the seedlings and plant them. I've used the basic fertilizer solution and if it was to be a frosty night I just covered them with towels (over the May long weekend). After that it was just lots of water if it wasn't raining already. And heavy metal music. Lots of metal helped. I was surprised how easy it was. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #21 March 27, 2013 QuoteIs anyone growing tomatoes this summer? Post pics! No. While I quite like some varieties of home grown tomatoes I've caught rats eating my wife's tomatoes and we dislike rats more than we like eating tomatoes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #22 March 27, 2013 You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #23 March 27, 2013 Quote You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse. Insert joke about blowing . . .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #24 March 27, 2013 Quote Quote You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse. Insert joke about blowing . . . I would never attempt to intrude on your business I will just stick to growing my nice big juicy NATURAL.. organic... tomatos in my greenhouse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #25 March 27, 2013 Quote Quote Quote You might want to try HEIRLOOM seeds... as a starter instead of the one shot one year hybrids. I also provide some breeze in the form of a fan while you get them growing. If the light is on.. FAN on.. it makes for stronger plants in the greenhouse. Insert joke about blowing . . . I would never attempt to intrude on your business I will just stick to growing my nice big juicy NATURAL.. organic... tomatos in my greenhouse. As it happens . . . I'm starting a very small garden. Here are some pictures. Can't believe the lettuce germinated in just a day and a half . . .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites