60 days till last frost. Is it time?

Myronr · February 20, 2015

How early do people here start seeds indoors? And how big should the transplants be?

shelleybean · February 20, 2015

Start 6-8 weeks before your last average frost. So, yes, you can start now, especially if you're going to keep them in a cool spot for a while. If they're going to be in a warmer location indoors, I'd wait a week or two so they don't get to tall or leggy.

PaulF · February 20, 2015

Myron, I am just downriver a ways and I will start my tomatoes this weekend or maybe next week for sure. This may be a week or so early but I start the process for a couple of nurseries who like the plants to be ready by mid-April at the 8 to 10 inch size. For myself planting out takes place the first week of May (depending on the weather and soil temperature). March 1 should be a good time for CB.

Peppers have been started a week already since they develop more slowly. Everything else started inside will be planted about March 1.

Myronr · February 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulF

I will start my tomatoes this weekend or maybe next

Good, I'll start getting my stuff together, and get something in some dirt!

Worth1 · February 20, 2015

For what its worth I agree with everyone else above.

Worth

shelleybean · February 20, 2015

"For what it's worth..." I like that, Worth.

Worth1 · February 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelleybean

"For what it's worth..." I like that, Worth.

It is a screwball name isn't it?

But one good thin you can Google my name and nothing in the lines of it will show up as a name.

I am so glad my parents didn't name me Bubba.

Here is a hint my middle name can be used for a boy or a girl and very few people have it.

Worth

**carolyn137** · February 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

It is a screwball name isn't it?

But one good thin you can Google my name and nothing in the lines of it will show up as a name.

I am so glad my parents didn't name me Bubba.

Here is a hint my middle name can be used for a boy or a girl and very few people have it.

Worth

Although I don't know your middle name I do know your real name since several years ago you sent me a fruitcake and I didn't know anyone by that name on the label, but Suze clued me in as to who you were.

So once again LD I thank you for that fruitcake, long since eaten.

Carolyn

Worth1 · February 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Although I don't know your middle name I do know your real name since several years ago you sent me a fruitcake and I didn't know anyone by that name on the label, but Suze clued me in as to who you were.

So once again LD I thank you for that fruitcake, long since eaten.

Carolyn

Carolyn the L in LD is my middle name.
I'll see what I cant do about the fruitcake again as these last two years were horrible for me during the holidays as you well know.

Worth

Salsacharley · February 20, 2015

My last average frost date is April 15, so I sowed 207 tomato seeds (205 different varieties) and 7 pepper seeds plus 9 flower seeds yesterday and today. Here's hoping for 100% germination!

By the way, it appears that some expert gardener named Worth is referred to in a recently released Tomato blockbuster book. I wonder.....

shelleybean · February 20, 2015

Hmm, yes, I saw him mentioned, too, salsacharley.

Dewayne mater · February 22, 2015

I think the timing question has a good bit to do with the conditions your seedlings will grow up in. For me, after they sprout, they move into a garage that is pretty cool most of the time and has a heater near them to protect from the occasional threat of freezing. Under those cool temps, 60 days would be fine. I also keep a fan on them all the time to help thicken up the stalks and I think that keeps them from growing as tall as fast. My plant out date is typically 65-75 days from seed starting and I've never once said, I really wish these plants were smaller.

Dewayne mater

PaulF · February 22, 2015

Just finished putting about 400 tomato seeds in the soilless mix (formerly I would have said dirt, but confused some folks). Thirty-six varieties of tomato to go with the 100 or so pepper seeds (ten varieties) put in ten days ago.

Myronr · February 23, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewayne mater

I also keep a fan on them all the time
Dewayne mater

Do you really have a fan blowing directly on them 24/7?

PaulF · February 23, 2015

After the first pot-up there is a fan blowing but only during lighted hours.

February 20, 2015	#1
Myronr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Posts: 42	60 days till last frost. Is it time? How early do people here start seeds indoors? And how big should the transplants be?

February 20, 2015	#2
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	Start 6-8 weeks before your last average frost. So, yes, you can start now, especially if you're going to keep them in a cool spot for a while. If they're going to be in a warmer location indoors, I'd wait a week or two so they don't get to tall or leggy. __________________ Michele

February 20, 2015	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,284	Myron, I am just downriver a ways and I will start my tomatoes this weekend or maybe next week for sure. This may be a week or so early but I start the process for a couple of nurseries who like the plants to be ready by mid-April at the 8 to 10 inch size. For myself planting out takes place the first week of May (depending on the weather and soil temperature). March 1 should be a good time for CB. Peppers have been started a week already since they develop more slowly. Everything else started inside will be planted about March 1. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

February 20, 2015	#6
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	"For what it's worth..." I like that, Worth. __________________ Michele

February 20, 2015	#10
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	My last average frost date is April 15, so I sowed 207 tomato seeds (205 different varieties) and 7 pepper seeds plus 9 flower seeds yesterday and today. Here's hoping for 100% germination! By the way, it appears that some expert gardener named Worth is referred to in a recently released Tomato blockbuster book. I wonder..... Last edited by Salsacharley; February 20, 2015 at 06:40 PM.

February 20, 2015	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	For what its worth I agree with everyone else above. Worth

February 22, 2015	#12
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	I think the timing question has a good bit to do with the conditions your seedlings will grow up in. For me, after they sprout, they move into a garage that is pretty cool most of the time and has a heater near them to protect from the occasional threat of freezing. Under those cool temps, 60 days would be fine. I also keep a fan on them all the time to help thicken up the stalks and I think that keeps them from growing as tall as fast. My plant out date is typically 65-75 days from seed starting and I've never once said, I really wish these plants were smaller. Dewayne mater

February 23, 2015	#15
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,284	After the first pot-up there is a fan blowing but only during lighted hours. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.