!! THE RACE FOR JUNE TOMATOES IS ON !!

[Ozark Lady]

I love everyone's tomato pics... gorgeous!

Good job!

I especially liked Apples photo... did you see the window?

What a contrast, a tiny green tomato growing, and obvious snow on the ground!

Does the window chill the plants any?

I am in trouble here...

I bought Jiffy, Organic Seed Starting Jiffy Mix... just bought it.
I have tried hot water in cups you name it... it drains well, but won't hold moisture... I now have the cups in a dome on top of the fridge, not planted, trying to raise humidity enough to moisten the soil.

Does anyone have more suggestions? The domes are steaming up... maybe the soil will finally absorb some moisture? Weird.

I only filled cups half full, figure as they grow I will use a different potting soil. The styrofoam cups are 8.5 oz. I fit 7 of them in plastic shoe box with lid.

I do not want to put seeds into soil that is not moist... now what?

[hendi_alex]

I'll be really sad if I don't get ripe tomatoes before June, though I'm in zone 8. Would hope to have my first ripe 'Juliet' in early May. The plants are already forming blossoms, but cold weather has slowed development of the plants, so maybe will be frustrated when it comes to early harvest. As you say, most people in this area get their first ripe tomatoes in late June or early July. I continue to strive for late April, but have not succeeded hitting that early date yet.

[Duh_Vinci]

applestar: We didn't say March tomatoes, we said June ones! ...

Yeah, that!!!

Nice job overwintering this guys, and fruit is already set - nice!!!

Regards,
D

[applestar]

It's the beach bucket -- it thinks it's summertime
But SHHH! don't spill the beans

I keep the tomato back enough away from the window so the leaves don't touch the glass (the one time that one did, it promptly got frost bitten). At night time, I draw the cafe curtains between the tomato and the window, making sure to tuck any stray tomato leaf inside of the curtain (which incidentally, helps to reflect the lights back -- 2 CFL lights, aimed sideways, stay on as long as I'm up -- on first thing in the morning, off last thing at night; there's an overhead 75W incandescent in a hanging Tiffany light that is now about 18" from the top of the tomato which gets turned on at dusk and stays on while I'm up).

The row of parsleys, onion bottom sprouts, seedling citruses, and a scented geranium on the window sill stays between the curtain and the window to chill . The peppers are 1/2 pot further inside to avoid any chance of cold draft, and the jalapeno is right next to a CFL to keep warm. The one other plant, all the way back in the photo, is Stevia, wich is managing to stay alive and occasionally send out new shoots. I added the 2nd CFL on that side early this month or late last month. I think the tomato would be a little less spindly had I done that from the start, but now that the sun is rising further east and earlier, these plants will receive more and more light in this ESE window while the trees remain bare.

Incidentally, I see a jumping spider patrolling the window and the window sill right now

[Duh_Vinci]

Looks like CFL addition works rather well!

I'm clearing one of the rooms, that would eventually be a spare bedroom/office, has double windows, going to convert that area for the "spring growout" racks. Need to think about how to add some light there on the budget. As of right now, both windows get good sun light from 12PM till 5pm or so, so a little help would be nice...

In the mean time, letting the sun to warm up some home made potting mix, need to transplant 3 tomatoes to 1 gal containers... Too bad that neither are early varieties. Leftovers from the soil-less mixtures I was testing: Rutgers and Brandywine X Cherokee Purple (or at least I think is what that cross is)

Regards,
D

[top_dollar_bread]

ok ok, heres what i got going on
all poped out of soil on feb 1

sugar sweete cherry
super sweet 100 cherry
red and yellow brandywine
cherokee purple
speckled roman
beefsteak
and black krim

the chrry toms should give me fruit the earliest (i think) but so far all but brandywine were planted in a coco/compost/casting/sand mix. because of no amendments ther growing pretty slow.
my brandywines were started in recyled amended soil and they are 3-4 times bigger then the rest.
i start like 3-5 seeds per party cup, so i moved 2 brandywines out side in the garden. ill re plant the rest of the toms in recyled soil and see what happends.
happy gardening everyone

[applestar]

It's snowing again...

...but me and my buds
-- Hey, Peps! Hey, Jal! -- are happy

[gixxerific]

I would have to call that a winner. are those peppers on the background?

Looking very awesome Apple making me feel bad looking at my tiny little plants here.

[applestar]

Aw, don't feel bad! I told you that Contender is a "Ringer" didn't I?
It's one of these guys, and I really wasn't considering it eligible for the race.

But yes! Those dark green round lumps are sweet peppers (3 on each plant) and the pendant ones (not all in the photo but there are 6) are Jalapenos. They were lugged inside just before first frost in fall. I've been eating the Jalapenos -- I think 3 already. They develop fast. Soil surfaces in all three containers are covered with "worm signs"

[rainbowgardener]

Yeah, the rest of us are just starting the race, and Applestar has already won it! Imagine eating home grown tomatoes in the snow! Maybe next year I'll try harder!

[gixxerific]

Yeah, the rest of us are just starting the race, and Applestar has already won it! Imagine eating home grown tomatoes in the snow! Maybe next year I'll try harder!

It just isn't right is it RG? And apple don't worry I'm not over here crying in a ball (or am I). Just jealous of your jungle versus my ant sized jungle.

[Jbest]

Not so fast applestar this photo was taken on Feb 13. I think I am the wiener. John

[gixxerific]

Jbest didn't you post some pics of your greenhouse on the other forum? I want to say that was you that I was talking about earlier in this thread with toms on their plants already.

Still not fair Oh how I yearn for a fresh tomato. How about you or Apple mail me one?

[Ozark Lady]

I have a question...

You know how tomatoes that you buy in the stores in winter, have no flavor?

If you grow tomatoes inside, without sunshine, will they taste the same as the supermarket ones, or more like the garden fresh ones?

[Jbest]

Jbest didn't you post some pics of your greenhouse on the other forum? I want to say that was you that I was talking about earlier in this thread with toms on their plants already.

Still not fair Oh how I yearn for a fresh tomato. How about you or Apple mail me one?

I think this the photo you seen. It was also taken on Feb 13. John

[gixxerific]

Yes that would be it. I'm going to go cry in my room now. I need a greenhouse.

By the way welcome to the other side.

[applestar]

Ah! We have a Challenger!
Looking really good jbest -- I already cried "wah!" about a greenhouse, didn't I? When did you start those toms?

I was trying to count back ... it took the Contender just short of 4 months = 112 days to ripening fruit -- wow that's a long time. Of course, I wasn't really doing anything special for it... it's 64ºF in the Kitchen on the counter right now, so it's probably a bit cooler near the window.... The Contender was an accident, too.... Imagine if it was more carefully considered: variety, container/indoor culture-adapted, hm, hm... Like rainbowgardener, I'm already thinking ahead to next fall...

[gixxerific]

Like rainbowgardener, I'm already thinking ahead to next fall...

Done and done, little by little my friend. Oh it's on next year. I might be starting plants in, well a lot earlier than this year.

[tn_veggie_gardner]

gix: I bought a large cold frane this year so I can avoid those nights crying in my room.

[Jbest]

This is Oct 8, the Tom plants are on the top left shelf, click to enlarge.

This photo was taken on Feb 8

[tn_veggie_gardner]

I think we have multiple winners for the February tomatoes...lol. Maybe we should split this up into month by month threads? Lookin nice y'all! I know I speak for a lot of us when I say we're jeaous of your wicked early tomatoes & wish we had the means, zone or whatever to grow them that early ourselves. =)

- Steve

[garden5]

Mine haven't even sprouted !

Congratualtions, everyone, on your great tomato plants. How about we set a universal start date next time...actually, there is still time to set a date! Even if all our plants have started, we can aways make room for one more .

How about March 1 as the seed-planting date? This way, we can see who can get their tomatoes to grow the fastest and there won't be any "false starts" . What do you think?

Gix, if I'm totally hijacking your thread, please shoot me a PM and I'll get rid of all this . We can still try for a June tom, It'll just be from a universal starting date.

Thanks

[gixxerific]

This isn't my thread this is "our" thread and I would have to say JB has it. First tom of the year. Sorry Apple.

[Duh_Vinci]

Wow!!! Fresh, home grown tomato - nice, very, very nice!!! Congrats on overwintering this guy J!

What wouldn't I do for a taste of a home grown mater right about now... Got the basil though

Regards,
D

[applestar]

Congrats, jbest

Ozark Lady, how would you report this leg of the "race"? We haven't heard updates from hendi_alex either, though... and there're bound to be other folks lurking C'mon out! Share your tomatoes! -- Where oh where will my Contender end up?
Stay tuned!

p.s. garden5 if yours haven't sprouted I'm only *slightly* ahead of you -- out of 4, two varieties have their seed leaves unfurled, and two others are just lifting their necks, with a good few of them still goose-necked over.
My main tomato seed planting will be as of 3/1 as well, which will be 2 weeks earlier than last year.

[gixxerific]

Alright than on to the "this year" started tom's what do you say?

As Apple said what about Alex I would be sure he would have something by now.

[Ozark Lady]

Wait a minute...
In a real race, you have starting positions...
Not sure, do they get them based on the qualifying laps?
Anyhow...
Should the top three of the last report, spot a day to the others? ha ha

I don't have short season tomato seeds, so, I will remain an observer.

[garden5]

I just found another contender :

Earl K
Green Thumb


Joined: 22 Mar 2009
Posts: 346
Location: Melbourne ,Fl.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:59 am Post subject: Reply with quote
D_V,I still have your address from your prior shipment of seeds,actually have 4 Spiridinovski toms. red and ready on the vine(only ones to survive our freeze down here)I am about to plant my next go around,just tryin to figure my tomato varieties.I already have quite a few strawberries coming along.Will send some seeds as soon as I cut that ba by open.will keep you posted. Gixxxxxxxxxxx.I am gonna do especially good this time so hopefully you and your fam. can come get some fresh veggies when you are in sunny Fl. in June.Would like to actually meet a gardener friend.Keep me posted brotha

You can find the original post on page 2 of the "First Seeds 2010 Started" thread. Since JBest's photo wan take on I belive the 8th and this post was on the 5th......according to the rule of proof......Earl K is in the lead so far.

Glad to hear you will be joining me on Mar. 1, Apps! Although most of my main crop has been started, this one will be a special "competition" plant.

[gixxerific]

I just started another set of Tom seeds myself probably more to come.

[Jbest]

I didn't do this to win any race. I just wanted tomatoes by Christmas time but we have had so few sun days it was Feb before the first one. My next challenge will be pruning them enough to move them outside without killing them. Trying to have toms until the Brandy Boys produce. John

[rainbowgardener]

Tomatoes by Christmas in zone 5 sounds like it would have to take a miracle. What you do is pretty amazing!

I hope no one is taking the "race" too seriously-- it's just a fun way to talk about what we are all doing and what progress we are making. The rest of my tomato seedlings will get potted up into the 3" pots tomorrow! (But they are still babies with just their first set of true leaves.)

[Jbest]

If you click on the photo in my last post, a larger photo will load and if you click the second time the full size photo will load. The plants in the top left hand corner are the tomatoes and peppers. I do not remember when I planted the seeds but by the size of the plants, I would say 5-6 weeks prior to the photo. I think if MN would have given me more sun days, I would have had tomatoes on Christmas. The down side is, we depend on the GH for our winter salad greens and keeping the GH warm enough for tomatoes and peppers is too warm for the salad greens and they bolted quick time. I think I will forgo the Ts and Ps next fall. John

[tn_veggie_gardner]

Yea, it's all for fun, y'all! =) Maybe we could continue it & see who shows the first ripe tomato every month?

[gixxerific]

I just want a dang fresh tomato I don't care if it is the last of the season in the whole U.S.

[Ozark Lady]

It isn't like the winner of this race gets a trophy, prize money, or a bonus.

And there is no pie in the face, or tomato thrown at ya for being last..

We will all celebrate with the winner (might be a bit jealous, or envious!), and we will still all celebrate with the loser, and the no-shows...

Personally, I am on a personal quest for the best tasting, and most goof proof tomato on the planet... And lots of them!

[garden5]

I hope no one is taking the "race" too seriously--

I think it is a little late for that .

I don't know about everyone else, but I I'll be planting a seed Mar 1 and trying to see how soon I can get a fruit off of it. I don't have the equipment to try to make my whole garden "early start friendly," but I can work with just one plant. This way I can focus all of my efforts on that plant.

Who's with me ! It does not have to be a June tomato, but maybe just the earliest one. It's cool if no ones with me ; I'm doing it for something to try, anyway.

[rainbowgardener]

Well, I am always trying for the earliest tomato I can get, but that's just for me. I am potting up all my tomato plants that I started around Valentine's day, today.

I just didn't want to see people getting all competitive about it. As Ozark Lady said, the only prize is getting to eat that ripe tomato!

[gixxerific]

Well, I am always trying for the earliest tomato I can get, but that's just for me. I am potting up all my tomato plants that I started around Valentine's day, today.

I just didn't want to see people getting all competitive about it. As Ozark Lady said, the only prize is getting to eat that ripe tomato!

I just upotted today as well and the only person I'm really "racing" with is myself. I also started some yesterday I believe or the day before. Really I'm just playing with it for now and hoping for the best. I refuse to buy tomato (plants) from someone else this year that is what I'm all about.

Though I do have enough to sell, maybe I should start a nursery. I have enough pots that is for sure.

[tn_veggie_gardner]

35 days from seed in dirt...







Here come my June tomatoes! -)

- Steve

[Duh_Vinci]

Nice and healthy looking plants! Good luck on your June harvest!

Regards,
D