Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Tomatoes on Tuesday


Also Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, some very slow-growing peppers, poppies, and a new trick with cucumbers.


I planted most of these seeds about four weeks ago, and they're growing well. The tomatoes are getting almost too tall to fit under my grow lights, but I guess that's a good problem to have. A gardening friend recently shared his secret to early cucumbers - start them in cups and transplant into the garden. I've only ever sown cucumber seeds directly into the soil, but that could be why he has cucumbers in July and none appear on my vines until August. I thought it was worth a try ...

The last frost date here is May 15th, but it hasn't been below 40° overnight here for several weeks, so I'm hoping to be able to transplant most of these into the garden (in the background) in just three weeks or so. We've already planted peas, lettuce, spinach, turnips, and chard in the garden, but they're just beginning to germinate. I'll spare you any photos of 1/8" tall sprouts in brown soil.



These enthusiastic little plants are pink double poppies that I started from seed my sister-in-law saved for me from her gorgeous blooms. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to separate these enough to transplant any of them, so I also sprinkled some seed directly in the garden where I want them. Once I see if any seeds germinate in the garden beds, maybe then I'll try transplanting a few of these. This gardener has high hopes!

How does your garden grow?

11 comments:

  1. Wow! We haven't done anything with our raised bed yet since we buy plants and don't start from seeds. BUT. I want a second raised bed and we need to get cracking on that so that it's ready for planting at the end of May.

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  2. All your plants look healthy and full of green goodness, from a resounding green thumb you have.
    My four raised beds here in TN are partially planted; potatoes and onions, beets and brussels sprouts, and the greens/lettuce+arugula have been in for a couple months, the spinach and garlic all winter. This morning it was 46 degrees and I am glad I haven't put my tomatoes or peppers in yet.
    I have this problem of keep buying more veggies than I can take care of, likewise flowers. I do plant some seeds directly, like sunflowers, zinnia, marigold, morning glory when the ground is warmer- probably next month.
    Planting is like knitting - it gives me serenity and calmness.
    Happy spring.

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    1. Your garden in TN sounds absolutely wonderful! I can't rely on things to overwinter here in NJ; I had some spinach and kale but the weight of ice storms and snow just killed the plants. It's rainy and chilly here today, but supposed to be sunny and 85 on Saturday. I will definitely have to resist putting my tomatoes in but I know I'll want to. Wishing you a good gardening season!

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  3. Your seedlings look FABULOUS! Things here are a bit ahead of "normal" this year (although nothing's been "normal" weather-wise for several years now), so I'm hopeful that I can plant my herbs before the end of May. Your garden in the background looks prepped and ready-for-planting. You've been busy! :-)

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  4. Everything looks great Bonny! You will have bumper crops for sure. I'll have to tell Fletch the cucumber trick - we have not had luck with those in the past. We have kale that wintered over and some arugula. Newly planted (and some harvested last night!!) are various lettuce plants and spinach, onions, and potatoes go in this week. Tomatoes and beans towards the end of May. I love Brussels Sprouts, but I hate all the worms we get on them. Do you have that problem? We don't use any chemicals, so that's one reason why.

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  5. Bonny - everything looks so green, healthy and vibrant - I can't imagine it all won't be thriving in the brown dirt come summer! (and you know, my garden only grows ... vicariously!)

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  6. Your plants look as beautiful as any nursery's would. Beautiful, Bonny! Smith's tomatoes and peppers are at about the same height as yours. He's anxious, but like you, will wait at least 3 more weeks. Today it's raining buckets. Buckets! I'm hoping all our seedlings don't wash away.

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  7. Your seedlings look great here, my windowsills are full of various seedlings ready to be planted out, just waiting for the weather to stay warmer, we had sleet tonight, so not yet! Looking forward to seeing photos of the poppies in flower.

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    1. Sleet, oh my! I hope your weather warms up soon so you can get out in the garden. I'm not sure if the poppies will bloom the first year, but my sister-in-law's were so lovely I'm excited to have some seeds to work with. Wishing you a good gardening season!

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  8. Well well well, you are getting ready way before we are! But then you have a much greener thumb than I do :) Right? I cannot wait to see your garden process this season!

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