Tomatoes

[randy_byers]

Planted two tomato plants today: an Early Girl and a Costoluto Genovese. The guy at the nursery thinks it's still too early to plant tomatoes, with low temperatures in the lower 40s forecast for next week in this, our chilliest spring on record. For six bucks, I'll risk it.

Comments

[don-fitch.livejournal.com]

Yup, planting tomatoes too early -- whatever that date might be in one's area, climate, & weather -- is always risky... but worth gambling a few dollars on for the chance of getting fruit early. (I'd say "before the Hot Weather Dormancy hits", but am not sure Seattle gets that hot.) And it might be a good idea to stick in a couple more plants in early June -- they might catch up with, or surpass, these, and/or continue bearing until next winter sets in.

Mind you, just this morning I harvested the first tomato of the season -- from a volunteer seedling that produced some fruit late last summer and survived the winter. (It's in an area where I had a plant of 'Champion' two years ago -- an enormous monster that produced remarkably heavily.)

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

You've got your first tomato of the season already, and I'm planting an Early Girl hoping I'll get something before it gets too cold/dark. Hot weather dormancy ain't in it.

[janetl.livejournal.com]

"Hot weather dormancy"? Ha! In the Pacific NW, the tomatoes grow lush and green all summer, setting plenty of fruit. Then you pray for enough heat to actually ripen the fruit. I seem to recall it isn't about the daytime temperature, but the night time lows. It cools off enough at night that the soil doesn't warm up enough for good sweet corn and lots of ripe tomatoes. Putting black plastic around the soil below the plants is supposed to help heat up the soil.

[kim-huett.livejournal.com]

Well you never know your luck. Currently I have a potted cherry tomato plant which not only still has fruit but is still growing happily. Am beginning to wonder just how far into winter it plans to survive.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

You might have a mutant on your hands: the winter tomato. Save some seeds!

[kim-huett.livejournal.com]

If it wants to I'm going to let this one live right through to next spring. If it doesn't make it I will save some seeds as you suggest. I do wonder how much of a difference being on a sheltered balcony is making to it.