Zone 6 - 7ers ...

[Tomstrees]

jtcm05 -

Patience is a virtue ~
of which ...
I have none !

~ Tom ...
who is hoping he didnt jump the gun
too much ; but from talking to some others
that live in the coastal areas of NJ ;
I'm not too far off ~

[Doris]

I am in Ocean County, NJ, and planted a few seeds today to try out Walls of Water for the first time, hopefully in 5 or 6 weeks.,when these seeds grow into plants. Last year it was a struggle getting the plants outside by the end of April and beginning of May........it was not a good Spring at all.

So I am trying Sophie's Choice and Azoychka, both early, and hope I can get some tomatoes even earlier from them.

I also started 3 Extreme Bush which I will plant in a container when they get ready, and will bring them into the porch if we get a freeze.

.............Doris, NJ

Last year I started my seeds about March 14.

[valereee]

Just started mine this morning. I have Ceylon, Brandywine, Matt's Wild, and Early Girl. I'm using a Flexiplug system and a warmer mat.

[MtnMaters]

Last Frost in my area is May 15, but I am @ 3000', so for me, it's actually more like May 23. I'm seeing my first true leaves here as well..... had my first trays going 3 1/2+ weeks ago, mainly Brandywines, Ky Beefsteaks, and my beloved Nicholaevnas. Started another tray a week or so ago with CP, Hillbilly,Early Girl, Brandy Boy. Almost planted a 72 cell yesterday of the good "boutique" varieties, but I'm reeling from the flu and still waiting for some of my trades to roll in, so I took my finger off the trigger once the mail ran and there were no special goodies.

I have an old waterbed heater for a warmer mat which they go on while waiting to germ, then they go to my parents house and their sun room (bless their hearts... and Paw's love of mater sammiches, I think he'd be okay with them in his bed :wink: ), from there to my brother's nursery greenhouses for hardening. At this rate (thank God my brother is a nurseryman...free supplies in spring for melons, maters, and pink tips in the summer) what is in that first flat will probably be in 5 gal pots by last frost.... but if that means I have to eat 1 less store bought tomato than I would have by planting later, it's worth every bit of extra effort to me.

[Tomstrees]

none have popped up yet ~ should be soon ! ~ anyone else up and growing ??? > Tom

[giardiniere]

Originally Posted by Tomstrees

none have popped up yet ~ should be soon ! ~ anyone else up and growing ??? > Tom

I checked mine this morning, Nothing yet. Kinda like waiting for the pot to start boiling.

[Tomstrees]

Dave -

you got that right ! I just can't wait ~ Tom

[barkeater]

Tom, you are very early. Especially for Union Beach, where it stays cooler in May since you are on the bay. I know, I was born and raised in Red Bank. On a hot day in May of 85 degrees, 5 miles away in Sea Bright it 's only 55-60. Isn't much different in Union Beach.

May 15 - 25 should be your target date for planting out, so unless using WOW's, normal sowing is in late March.

[Tomstrees]

Barkeater ~

I guess it is sorta true on what they say -
ex-Jerseyites move to either VT, or Florida !

Wow , I did not know you lived in NJ !
Especially so close - Why did you move ?
(may be asking the obvious here, lol)

On to the seed thing - as of this morning,
no seeds have popped through (3rd morning)...
so technically I'm only a week earlier
than I started last year ~ I was looking
to get the plants out the first week of May
(weather permitting) -

When I re-plant into bigger cups,
I'll plant them deeper so I can get a week
or so out of them before they go outside ...
I was thinking about have 8-10 inch seedlings ~
I would never put them out unless
I thought the weather would make them happy ~
def. do not have WOW ~ Tom

[barkeater]

LOL. Tom, I left Florida for Vermont in Nov., 2002! And I moved there from NJ 6 years ago, after operating a vegetable farm and market fulltime the previous 14 years on Rte. 34 in Holmdel. Small world. Let me know if your Ramapo seeds don't come up. That batch has issues. I have another batch, saved earlier in the season, that has great germination.

[Tomstrees]

Barkeater ~

lol ~ I knew it ! lol ~ too funny ;
VT is great ~ I had a girlfriend from St. Johnsbury in college,
a bud in Rutland (ski instructor for Killington ), and and chum
(waste I should say, lol) in Burlington @ UVM ~
Many a good time my friend !
VT is where I was for NYE 2000 ! WOAH !!!! ~
Also hiked part of the long trail with my dad, bro, and cousin ~
So many vacations ... great state ~

Holmdel is right across the highway from me ;
I live on 36 on your way to Sandy Hook ;
as I'm sure you know ~

I think you might be mistaking me for another Tom,
as I have no Ramapo ?!?! lol
~ dang Toms, too many of em , lol ~

As far as seeds are concerned ? All thats come up so far is Basil ~
so at least I can make pesto ! lol ~
no signs of maters yet !!!
Its only the 4th day, maybe I was
looking for a miracle !
Last year most of everythihng was up in 5 - 7 days ...
~ Tom

ps. you getting snow today ? we are (greeeaat)
Old Man winters really fighting me this year ~

[barkeater]

No, we got 3" yesterday but that's it. Lowest snow amount on the ground in history as of Feb. 21. Destroyed the snowmobiling for the season. But skiing is good again at Jay Peak near me.

And I'm maybe 10 miles to the Long Trail (5 miles from a LT beer!).

You should try Ramapo. It was THE Jersey tomato in the 60's.

[Tomstrees]

years ago I spent
a week @ Jay Peak with my buds ~

Wind chill @ the summit was
-27 ! Couldn't take off my
goggles as it felt like the water
in my eyes / nose would freeze ~
(closest I've been to Canada, lol)
even though it was FREEZING ,
it was still some of the best skiing ever ~

Last good mountain I hit was
Sunday River ~ Hit my first double
diamond they have called Chutzpa ~
now that was pretty cool ~

I should give the "heirloom of NJ"
a try ~ Just need to find room !

Looking out my office window ?
Looks like 2+ inches in a half hour ~
Bummer ; but I should get to leave early
cause I'm sure you remember the
NJ traffic in all weather ! lol ... ~ Tom

ps. my fav, bar/rest. in VT is in
Rutland. "Inn at the Long Trail"
(I know that s a hike from you).
I have had that beer you're
talking about LT ; as well as Otter-Creek ...
Two of the best beers ever ~
and you guys can get beers in
grocery stores / gas stations right?
Thats enough to move in itself ! lol

[jerseyjohn61]

Daggone Bark and Tom.

It's sleeting out my window and you've Got me
wanting to check out bikinis at Belmar or chase
ski-bunnies at Mt Snow or Killington. Oh for those
days gone by.

Anyway it's sounding like a frosty Springsteen
tune. Tom could take Rts.34 or 9 north to 18
into New Brunswick. Then just a short ways
west on 514 and he'd be in my backyard in
about 40 minutes.

Bark, I'm the one who got your Ramapo F4.
I'll do a test Germ. on them tonight before I
sow on St. Pat's weekend. Thanks for the
heads-up on germination issues....JJ61

[Tomstrees]

John,

The misses used to live off of 27 in
Franklin Township - so I know where you are ~
Here in Dover NOW ? Rain ~
Will get ugly if it gets colder ~ Tom