OT garden question

[Ron wis]

Would like to start my own tomato plant this spring. How many weeks before planting out side should I start the plants inside. Also would it help to move them out on warmer spring days and bring them in at night? Any suggestions are appreciated.
 

[Russ from MN]

Not an answer to your question but, last year we used the wall-of-water protectors and they really work! We don't live near our garden so we can't cover for frost protection. We bought a 3-pack and the three protected plants were fine and the unprotected ones were set back by a hard frost.
 

[dustycoal]

we grow transplants starting 4 to 6 weeks before setting them in the field. warm days above 45 should not hurt them to move them outside some, it should help harden them off some.good luck, enjoy your victory garden.
 

[John B.]

Start your seeds indoors now. Use a post hole digger and dig an 8" diameter hole about 3-4ft deep in your garden now or this spring then mix in some fertilizer with the loose dirt as you put the dirt back in the hole. This way the roots can go down deep and the hole will hold water like a barrel for a few days. I did this hole digging last year and it saved my garden during the long drought.

Don't set out all your tomato plants out in the garden at the same time as some of them will die. Yes you will be able to set the plants out during the days and bring them in at night, this will help them adapt to the cool weather.
 

[El Toro]

I live in ne MD and I start my tomato and pepper plants in the first week in March. Once they have some size I transfer them to a mini-greenhouse. We can have frost up to mid May. I also have those "Walls of Water" and I set out a few tomato plants using those. If it's going to be below freezing I store the plants in the garage.

Last Winter was very mild and I plowed the garden in Feb. You need to figure when you have your last frost in your area. My wife and daughter both have Earth Boxes and they planted
last year in March. They're on wheels and can be rolled under cover. She had tomatoes before I did. Hal

 

[VaTom]

I use growing cones that work the best of anything I've tried. No need to take tomatoes in at night, just protect them. Mine have been out for 5 years in the sun, no sign of degradation.

Just picked greens that winter under cones here, we've been down to 11º. Material's not cheap, but it lasts a very long time.

Growing Cones

 

[El Toro]

Here's my Troy Bilt Tee shirt. A man in NJ hand painted this. I've never worn it. Hal
PS: I've had several Troy Bilt tillers with this Kohler engine also had two with the tillers painted black that came out in 1991.


 

[Greg1959]

John B.- I used that method this last year for the first time (idea from this site, maybe you suggested it)

Used my 8" auger to dig holes 3' to 4' deep and backfilled with compost and fertilizer. Planted 96 tomato plants.

Best crop I ever had and produced even in the drought and heat!