!! THE RACE FOR JUNE TOMATOES IS ON !!

[applestar]

Now I just need to somehow acquire some 6" pots

I'm saving Qt size containers -- ice cream, yogurt, take out soup, Chinese food....

[hendi_alex]

I save all of my nursery pots. Even pick larger sizes up when dropping trash off at the recycling center, whenever some are handy. I also have a friend in the nursery business who will always give me containers if I ask.

[Duh_Vinci]

Rainbow/Dono - I hear you!

Downstairs, complete jungle (while organized, still a jungle) Everything growing like mad. I have 3 dozens of 6" and 7" containers saved from the prior nursery purchases (mostly azalea types).

Here are my earlies that germinated in early Feb, now 12"-16" tall:

[img]https://drphotography.smugmug.com/Garden/2010-Garden/2010firsttomatoesrepot03202010/814535746_fDAxu-XL.jpg[/img]

I'm so glad that I spaced out the seeding few weeks apart, otherwise wouldn't have any space left. The joy of gardening!

Regards,
D

[wolfie]

Dono, what do you mean when you say they are getting too big and won't be any good when they go out?

I have bought plants from nurserys and farmers markets before with fruit already on them and planted in the ground and they still did well.

Are you afraid that if they grow inside too long they won't grow outside?

[tn_veggie_gardner]

Getting small bud sets now. =)

[img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/tomatoes_032110_2.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/tomatoes_032110_1.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/tomato_bud_set_032110_1.jpg[/img]

[gixxerific]

Wolfie what I'm talking about is that a lot of people say that you should plant in the ground during the most root growth period. If they get too big they may not do so well or last as long. Another thing is that tomatoes can grow a huge taproot 2 ft or more straight down, if transplanted they tend to grow more outwards.

I would like to do a test witha seed planted vs a transplant. Even some of the great gardeners on here that put out HUGE plants still put out smaller ones to compensate for later growth.

I'm nor expert gardener but I do my best. So take this at face value and research on your own.

I hope I didn't confuse you any more that you already were.

[hendi_alex]

Had to bring the largest transplants in for the night as temperatures dipped into the upper 30's. Left the smaller plants in the cold frames, hope those will be o.k. The plants go back outside this a.m. Ten day forecast has the lows in the 40's and 50's. Temperature seems to be settling as we move nearer to our late April planting date.

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4456513641_7544cbd726_o.jpg[/img]

[Rob]

I'm in.

I'm thinking my Stupice may do well. I'm a bit envious of some of the head starts some of you have...

[gixxerific]

Had to bring the largest transplants in for the night as temperatures dipped into the upper 30's. Left the smaller plants in the cold frames, hope those will be o.k. The plants go back outside this a.m. Ten day forecast has the lows in the 40's and 50's. Temperature seems to be settling as we move nearer to our late April planting date.

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4456513641_7544cbd726_o.jpg[/img]

I was thinking about planting my (single) big one in the ground. Just to see if it tould make it. It has been outside for the most part for a long time. And no serious problems so far. Maybe I'm just getting to stir crazy.

[hendi_alex]

St Louis? Good luck! I'm expecting one last freeze here in S.C., probably coming from the upper mid west. I may plant one or two plants in their final planting spot, in a 25-35 gallong container. But will move them inside if the temperature drops below 40.

[tn_veggie_gardner]

Muahahaha...maters already growing on one of my Wisconsin 55 plants & 2 of my Sungold plants are flowering! =)

[img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/first_tomato_041210.jpg[/img]

[hendi_alex]

I've got three 'Sweet Cluster' and two 'Juliet' tomatoes in their final containers outside.

'Sweet Cluster'
[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4517720879_ef6986dd17_o.jpg[/img]

'Juliet'
[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4518354846_0d88be694c_o.jpg[/img]

I am in the northern part of zone 8 and would expect to harvest my first tomato in 10 days to two weeks.

[tn_veggie_gardner]

Lookin great! Won't be harvested in June though. lol

[gixxerific]

I have blossoms and tomatoes on 2 differetn Black Cherry's and little tomatoes on a couple differetn Brandywines, I also have a another plant or 2 with little maotrs on them.

No Frost, No Frost, No Frost.

[Duh_Vinci]

Looking good Alex!!!

Dono - I think you will like black cherry, very productive and grows like crazy - be prepare to support!

Weather... So, low 30's didn't kill my tomatoes, plastic bags worked like a charm! Pulled the bags off about 8am, everything looked great...

But the wind Crazy gusts this late morning!!! Lasted for about 2 hours... I can hear some trees falling in the woods, quickly brought all the seedlings inside. But what's planted in the main garden - half of the plants are shredded into a little pieces!!! The row of early varieties in containers are along the side of the garage, so these were well protected, but from other 21 plants in the ground - about half are torn a pieces

Well, I still have some seedlings to replace most of the damaged ones, but still... And no wind was in the forecast, still showing 7mph - year, right!!!!!

Regards,
D

[gixxerific]

Sorry to hear DV hope everything is alright. I still have a bunch of plants come by and get some PLEASE!

I hear you on the Black Cherry every plant I have or given away is fruiting, I should be eating Black Cherry within the week. Never fear on the support cages are in place.

[Hydrogardener]

I am pollinating flowers and thinking mid-June.

[img]https://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp121/hydrogardener/tomatoes.jpg[/img]

[gixxerific]

Way to go Hydro I'm looking at late April that will be weird. I believe Applestar has had some early April late March toms. I'm sure there are a few others that have already harvested. It's funny thinking about these people at the box stores just now buying their Tom's for exuberant prices.

I can't wait. Funny thing is the super early tomato I was growing is not fruiting while the later ones are.. Hmmmmm?

[Hydrogardener]

Way to go Hydro I'm looking at late April that will be weird. I believe Applestar has had some early April late March toms. I'm sure there are a few others that have already harvested. It's funny thinking about these people at the box stores just now buying their Tom's for exuberant prices.

I can't wait. Funny thing is the super early tomato I was growing is not fruiting while the later ones are.. Hmmmmm?

In my part of the world we are still six weeks away from setting plants in the ground. If I did not use the greenhouse it would be mid to late September. We have a real short growing season.

[gixxerific]

6 WEEKS!

I don't know how you can do it. I would go crazy myself. Good luck.

Gotta say those plants look very healthy, good going.

[wjcmpbll]

This sounds like fun. I'll let you know how the container-gardening/apartment-living contingency weighs in. Although I think a handicap of a week or two may be in order.

[Duh_Vinci]

Dono - yes indeed, looks like you have few plants to spare!

Hydro - great looking setup, great, strong looking plants!!!

Regards,
D

[tn_veggie_gardner]

My best contenders, Wisconsin 55:

[img]https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/sfbslb/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAGE_158.jpg[/img]

=)

- Steve

[gixxerific]

Nice Veggie gardner, I know all of us just can't wait.

I think this thread should be changed to say "The race for April or May tomatoes is on"

[rainbowgardener]

Yeah, you all are ahead of me, but it isn't May yet and I've had tomatoes in the ground for two weeks, so I'm still on track for June tomatoes. But I sure won't be the first one around here eating home grown tomatoes.

[tn_veggie_gardner]

gix: Chea...for sure! All these tropical & sub-tropical zoners picking their tomatoes year round are killin me!

[hendi_alex]

I was kind of surprised when visiting a friend in Belize a couple of times. The market is filled with tropical fruits and veggies, but the selection of tomatoes looked pitiful. I would have thought that Belize would be a year round tomato paradise.

[rainbowgardener]

I noticed the same thing and was similarly puzzled in Costa Rica. It never gets too hot there or too cold, you would think they would have wonderful tomatoes. Maybe it's just not something they are used to growing? Or the soil isn't conducive? I don't know.

[rainbowgardener]

[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/4024%20Paddock%20garden/5-5tomatoes2.jpg[/img]

Couldn't get a very good picture of them what with the broccoli in front and the deer netting and all. My "june racer tomatoes" are now pretty close to the size hendi_alex's were back on 3/23! (not quite but closing in on it, some closer than others). They all have blossoms on them now!

If the broccoli look a little puny, it's because the two closest ones have had their main heads harvested already, just letting them grow side shoots out now.

There's a few carrots in front, there's onions and marigolds scattered around and the roundish thing in middle right is borage. There's another borage barely visible at back right corner.

It is high spring and everything is super lush and green and growing like mad and my garden is so beautiful, all I want to do is be out in it all the time!!!

[rainbowgardener]

A little better tomato picture

[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/4024%20Paddock%20garden/5-5tomato3.jpg[/img]

[hendi_alex]

Looks like 'Juliet' is going to win my May tomato race, yet again. Juliet is always first, followed in a few days by 'Sweet Cluster'. My Sweet Cluster has had full sized fruit for some time, but no blush of orange yet.

[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4585481998_f2987d6439_o.jpg[/img]

[gixxerific]

Looking good Hendi. I want a fresh tomato so bad.

Everything in my garden is on slo-mo.

[rainbowgardener]

Hey gixx, don't let all those southerners get to you! For most of us, it's early yet. I'm talking about (mid to late) JUNE tomatoes. I never even dream of May tomatoes. ...

[gixxerific]

Hey gixx, don't let all those southerners get to you! For most of us, it's early yet. I'm talking about (mid to late) JUNE tomatoes. I never even dream of May tomatoes. ...

That's just what my wife just said to me. But just going out there and seeing them in an unperfect state gets me. Look at my neighbors plants behind the fence of the ones on my other thread. They are dark green and have surpassed mine even though they were smaller at the beginning, mine are shriveled and yellow. Right now I don't care about fruit I just want healthy plants.

[parcgreene]

I'm hoping to have some hydroponic Cherokee Purple tomatoes in the next few weeks!

Note: The maters are currently about twice the size of the picture shown.

[img]https://i42.tinypic.com/2jcdbav.jpg[/img]

[Duh_Vinci]

Nice going, Alex! These are always among the first in your garden!

Dono - it's just a beginning of the season, and you will do just fine!

I think I may have a contender for an early mater - Taxi... Looks like it may show a little blush any day now. Though it's not as "compact" of a plant as most describe, getting to be rather bushy! Can't wait to taste the first tomato of the season!

Ended up having a nice little chat with a old farmer today, beautiful fruit trees, absolutely delicious sweet/sour yellow plum I get from him every year for preserves... In his mind, for VA, "If you get a home grown ripe tomater by the 4th of July - you are doing great, son..." But I'm sincerely hoping for mid May!!!

Regards,
D

[gixxerific]

Yeah I will be alright. I actually have mators on almost all of my plants. Still waiting for a black cherry to ripen it's been going for a month now.

[Duh_Vinci]

... Still waiting for a black cherry to ripen it's been going for a month now.

Tomatoes have an amazing way of "teasing"!!! Looks like a full fruit, feels like would ripen any day now, but instead - pant just keep flowering, keeps setting new fruit, and the one you want to be ready - just seats there, and seats there... Until one day - you see a blush!!! They have a mind of their own

Regards,
D

[rainbowgardener]

I have baby tomatoes now too! June (NOT May!) tomatoes here we come!

[hendi_alex]

The tomato harvest begins, May 9, northern part of zone 8 in S.C.

'Juliet'

[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4591596845_669ee98341_o.jpg[/img]

Harvest will be a trickle for a week or two, and then likely more than we can eat. First comes 'Juliet' then in a few days 'Sweet Cluster'. After that the slicers will come on line, but probably a month away. I do have one volunteer green that was overwintered and has a single fruit that is now turning.