I decided to try my hand at two new things this year. I over-wintered a couple propogated stems from last year's tomatoes. The Cherokee Purple did phenomenal!
I also started a few varieties from seed for the first time. I recently moved and after googling, I found my area has a last frost date of April 21. So I started my seeds at the end of Feb. But in talking with local gardeners, I shouldn't be putting them outside until the end of May. My tomatoes are massive, well hardened, and content in my little greenhouse. But I desperately need to be planted! Looking at the forecast, I'm nervous to put them in the ground
by PineTreesAndSunshine
3 Comments
Most gardeners can probably relate. I’m in eastern Washington and many seasoned vets hold off until June 1st. Tomatoes are better at handling cold nights than peppers. If they don’t get frost they’ll bounce back from colder temperatures pretty quickly unlike peppers. So you might take the risk and plant outside and cover them if the threat of frost arrives, knowing that you’ll need backups if freezing temperatures do them in. I generally grow more starts than I can use just to have this option to take a risk and plant a little early.
Plant them in walls of water.
Last frost date seems to be meaningless for warm weather crops. It’s typically best to wait at least 2-3 weeks after your last frost, before transplanting. I wouldn’t transplant them in such cold and wet conditions. It’s a recipe for early blight and powdery milder. Wait until the low temps are over 45 degrees.