TanksHill...Roll on!!

[Farmfresh]

I planted up a bunch of starts this weekend as well.

When they grow the secondary leaves I move mine into my version of a cold frame ... they go upstairs in my seldom used :/ (quite cool) sewing room under the roof window! That hardens then off quite nicely for me.

 

[TanksHill]

Good morning FF.

I am just worried about those tiny little tomato starts. They seem so fragile and the plastic lid that goes on the seed box is rather short. Maybe I will find another clear tote and extend their greenhouse season a bit. Then after they get a bit stronger just let them grow on the counter. Heck if I know. I just make things up as I go along.

g

 

[FarmerChick]

ahhh you take care of those maters!

we should be plowing now but haven't. I have some fields I have to turn over along with the garden, but I just don't care hahaha

I might have to steal a tomatoe plant from ya down the road OK?

 

[Farmfresh]

Once mine are up good I usually take off the tops all together.

I also read a study a long time ago about using a low fan on seedlings. It is supposed to replicated a breeze and encourages the plants to grow more sturdy. Then of course they dry out faster.

Another hint.. I always water my seedlings from below, by filling the tray. I seem to have less problems with damping off (which is mold) killing my seedlings.

 

[TanksHill]

Sure I'll ship you one.

I actually used all heirloom seeds. Some are new from this year. I planted some seeds I saved form my Great Tomato Adventure. Not sure if you remember in 2008 I got those 400 lbs of heirlooms? Anyways I did save some seeds but not sure if I did it right or they will grow. I need to check my planting chart to see if they are the ones sprouting.

I am sure I will have way to many plants. I normally plant maybe 5 or 6. I have 54.

If they do well I will give some to friends.

g

 

[TanksHill]

Good to know FF. Maybe I will just take the tops off and open my laundry room door. There is a bit of air and sunshine that way.

 

[Farmfresh]

I am kind of the same way with my chicks and seedlings. I take good care of them both and then tend to push them both some as well. Little too cool perhaps or little too much wind etc. Just enough that they are still basically fine, but grow up a little tougher than average.

Thinking about that I may have done my own kids the same way! A bit of work, a bit of mud....

Sometimes if you are too careful with things they grow up weak or not at all.

 

[colowyo0809]

Matthew, I start stuff now under cfl lights. In a couple of weeks it will go out to the cold frame

What are cfl lights? (i'm asking because i'm too lazy to look up the term, and yet some fuzzy part of my brain is saying I know what that is, don't I?) and we don't have any cold frames what I'd like to do is find some old tires, put them in the front yard, fill them with dirt, hack the bottoms off some old milk gallon jugs and do them that way or find a way to put a clear plastic cover on the tires

yay! ohmigosh... its almost like life will return to this ice planet! yay!

lol, it only seems like an ice planet to those of us who have to deal with the snow and ice. to certain privelaged warmbodies they don't even know (or remember) what snow and ice are

I am kind of the same way with my chicks and seedlings. I take good care of them both and then tend to push them both some as well. Little too cool perhaps or little too much wind etc. Just enough that they are still basically fine, but grow up a little tougher than average.

Thinking about that I may have done my own kids the same way! A bit of work, a bit of mud....

Sometimes if you are too careful with things they grow up weak or not at all.

I've always found this to be true. So often people tend to coddle and baby instead of stepping back and experiencing

 

[lorihadams]

If you still want to keep them under cover take skewers and poke them in the corners and a couple in the middle and cover it with plastic wrap.....voila!

 

[TanksHill]

Farm Fresh, I totally agree with you.

CFL = compact fluorescent lights.

Lori, that's a great idea.

It loos like all of the tomatoes have sprouted except the 9 with seeds I saved myself. Go figure. I will give them a few more days because the seeds are kinda old. Then throw in some more Roma's instead.


I got the kids out the door with now major issues this morning. No tantrums. DD 5yo ate some food. She is not big on breakfast. GF girl had a gf pancake with her eggs and bacon instead of toast. And ds ate two turkey eggs over easy with his toast and bacon.

It is just gorgeous outside today. It should hit the mid 70's and sunny. I'm sorry.

I think I am going to go get my errands run early so I can come back and work in the garden. I am thinking about direct seeding some green beans today. Oh, I also told dh that I was thinking about growing snap peas and shelling peas in the dirt between the fence and the driveway. So they could climb the fence. He was very receptive to the idea. Maybe I will run down the drive with the mower and then put some seeds in there as well.

aways so much to do.

have a great day!!!