Double protection for early planting. (Text in comments, below.)
Double protection for early planting. (Text in comments, below.)
by NPKzone8a
7 Comments
NPKzone8a
**Early plating double protection**
These are my “vanguard” guerilla tomato seedlings. The tip of the spear. Parachuted in behind enemy lines at zero dark thirty to try and get rooted and established before their presence is detected. It’s still a bit too early officially, too chilly at night, but they are tough little seedlings and they have a lot of heart. I selected the strongest and best trained of the troopers, and planted them out 28 February. They are cherry tomatoes, planted in 15-gallon grow bags, Wall-of-Water insulating teepee outside and above the bag. At night I cover the seedling with an extra layer, in the form of a cut-off 1-gallon milk jug, held in place with long garden staples. Remove those in the morning. It has been in the low 40’s F overnight. A couple of high 30’s are forecast for next week. Daytimes are sunny and in the 70’s F.
This “mini-greenhouse” setup is supposed to allow survival well below freezing. It remains to be seen whether or not the plants will “just” survive and wind up stunted, or will be able to take advantage of their head start and flourish, hopefully producing an early crop. I thought it was worth a try, since I have plenty of others inside as “ready reserves,” proceeding in a more conventional and orderly fashion.
These “early birds” are one Sun Gold, one Rosita Brandywine Cherry, one Baby Boomer, and one Black Cherry. Today I will add 2 more to their ranks, a Yellow Patio Choice and a Porter’s Dark Cherry. Then I’ll wait a week or ten days to plant out the rest. NE Texas, 8a.
smokinLobstah
Not worth the effort for me.
BrewCrewBall
Wall-o-waters have worked great for me here in zone 5. Good luck!
Ok-Serve-6570
Love the overkill, playing with comparable thoughts here😂 good luck comrade
blubirdie
Don’t you need the wall of waters to be enclosed over the top of the plant like a teepee? That also helps warm the soil, which is critical for tomatoes. They won’t like growing in cold soil no matter how frost free you keep the top of the plant.
SubzeroAK
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Good luck!
Dazeyy619
I just did this yesterday!!! Not the grow bags. But the milk jugs lol. My first year trying. I’m starting seeds though as my indoor stuff died on me lol. Here’s to hoping!
7 Comments
**Early plating double protection**
These are my “vanguard” guerilla tomato seedlings. The tip of the spear. Parachuted in behind enemy lines at zero dark thirty to try and get rooted and established before their presence is detected. It’s still a bit too early officially, too chilly at night, but they are tough little seedlings and they have a lot of heart. I selected the strongest and best trained of the troopers, and planted them out 28 February. They are cherry tomatoes, planted in 15-gallon grow bags, Wall-of-Water insulating teepee outside and above the bag. At night I cover the seedling with an extra layer, in the form of a cut-off 1-gallon milk jug, held in place with long garden staples. Remove those in the morning. It has been in the low 40’s F overnight. A couple of high 30’s are forecast for next week. Daytimes are sunny and in the 70’s F.
This “mini-greenhouse” setup is supposed to allow survival well below freezing. It remains to be seen whether or not the plants will “just” survive and wind up stunted, or will be able to take advantage of their head start and flourish, hopefully producing an early crop. I thought it was worth a try, since I have plenty of others inside as “ready reserves,” proceeding in a more conventional and orderly fashion.
These “early birds” are one Sun Gold, one Rosita Brandywine Cherry, one Baby Boomer, and one Black Cherry. Today I will add 2 more to their ranks, a Yellow Patio Choice and a Porter’s Dark Cherry. Then I’ll wait a week or ten days to plant out the rest. NE Texas, 8a.
Not worth the effort for me.
Wall-o-waters have worked great for me here in zone 5. Good luck!
Love the overkill, playing with comparable thoughts here😂 good luck comrade
Don’t you need the wall of waters to be enclosed over the top of the plant like a teepee? That also helps warm the soil, which is critical for tomatoes. They won’t like growing in cold soil no matter how frost free you keep the top of the plant.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Good luck!
I just did this yesterday!!! Not the grow bags. But the milk jugs lol. My first year trying. I’m starting seeds though as my indoor stuff died on me lol. Here’s to hoping!