You say tomato
Can you believe it’s that time of year already!? I’m sure you’re all as excited as I am about starting tomato seeds.
For those following along at home, or interested in seedlings, this year’s selections are: Cherokee Purple, Pruden’s Purple, SMicollum’s Surprise, Black Krim, Persimmon, Costulano, Stupice, Brandywine, Sungold, and Principe Borghese. I’m also trying some new peppers this year in hopes of getting something that will actually produce.
And it’s important to have a helper.
7 Responses to “You say tomato”
Comment from KellyMc
Time January 24, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hey MD!
Could be your growing medium — it should be very well draining. I usually use peat moss, perlite/vermiculite and compost in about equal thirds, although I didn’t have any compost ready this time.
You should also uncover (if you had plastic over them) the trays as soon as something sprouts. Make sure they get good air circulation.
You can read about spraying them with dissolved aspirin or somesuch too.
Comment from Doctor
Time January 24, 2008 at 11:39 am
Yeah, we used one of those pre-formed recycled material trays with some pre-mixed growing medium. But we did leave them covered out of fear our cats would chow down.
So I guess we need to find some indoor spot where they can be safe from feline attackers.
Comment from k-pho
Time January 24, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Ditto Kelly’s advice. Keeping them well-drained is key. When I first started growing tomatoes, same thing happened to me with the mold. No cover and starting the seeds in 100% peat moss (most growers’ recommendation) will get much better results.
Once again, I am jealous of the Texas folk. Just got my Johnny’s seed catalog and haven’t had a chance to plan anything yet, but have been inspired by Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Mineral to double the garden space. I had a lot of success oven-drying tomatoes last year, so I no longer have fear of too many ‘maters at the end of the season. Seems almost criminal at first to watch your juicy beauties shrivel up, but man, the reward is some killer pasta and salads in the winter.
Comment from etrigan
Time January 24, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What a bunch of Luddites. Join the 22nd Century as we did (thanks to a Christmas Gift). Our success is technologically assured thanks to the AeroGarden. Salad greens this time around, Herb is next!
Comment from KellyMc
Time January 24, 2008 at 2:03 pm
And ditto K-pho’s. We oven dried a bunch of our Romas last year and are still pulling them out of the freezer to make dried-tomato pesto.
Aerogarden looks very exciting. I take it you’ve already googled “Aerogarden hacks”?
Comment from k-pho
Time January 29, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Lol. Of COURSE John has the Aerogarden. My only improvement in technology this year will be a warming bed underneath the seed trays.
Placed my order with Johnny’s this morning. Here’s the first Spring planting: Provider green beans, Caselode peas, Red Ace beets, Tyee savoy-type spinach and Black Simpson red-leaf lettuce.
Second planting: Marketmore cucumbers, Mangan eggplants, Elite zucchini and Zephyr (two-toned) summer squash, Mokum and Nelson carrots (trying the pelleted seed versions for the first time), and 4 types of tomatoes: Valencia (orange fruits), Japanese Black Trifele (pear shape, burgundy color), Brandywine, and Dafel.
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Comment from Doctor
Time January 24, 2008 at 9:15 am
We’ll have to try again this year. We started some seeds last year, they generally sprouted, but quickly went limp, shriveled up and began growing mold.
Any hints?