In the bleak mid-winter and Seed Catalogs!!

[bp fick]

Yup, it is that time again. Dreaming of starting seeds, planting and gardening. For some of us, we just can't help ourselves.

Yeah, it's all on-line these days, but there's still something colorful and satisfying about the big, floppy catalogs!!

 

[troutsqueezer]

I agree BP. I've already ordered. I tend to over-order a lot. I've got 10 different varieties of tomato seeds on the way.

 

[bp fick]

Only have one so far. I need A LOT more!!

There are some interesting sellers who run Ebay seed stores too!

Troutsqueezer, Oh, I always over order seed too. Sometimes it isn't a bad thing, given any one pack's germination rate.

 

[smstonypoint]

Yup, it is that time again. Dreaming of starting seeds, planting and gardening. For some of us, we just can't help ourselves.

BP,

Just curious -- when do you transplant your tomatoes in Northern Michigan?

Steve

 

[bp fick]

BP,

Just curious -- when do you transplant your tomatoes in Northern Michigan?

Steve

Steve, the transplanting of tomatoes. First, I've tried the plastic milk jug thing. Didn't work great for me in our climate. As a youngster, we used waxed paper "hot caps" and they worked better, if memory serves.

Now, I don't rush at all. I have learned that cool ground temps won't get you anything, plus, until the plant is too large for the scourge of the cut worm, putting out plants smaller than 1/4" stem just means too many losses.

So, I 've learned to deal with life at the 45th, where frost is possible any month of the year, although not as likely between May 30 and September 10. I start them in trays, then transfer them to pots. They can stay in the pots until June 6th, and will do so. Then and only then do I bother to set them out. They are so big, I have to use a regular shovel to dig the hole and set them!!

I did a thread last spring, if you're interested.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/171708-70-tomato-plant-set-yesterday.html

Last year was incredible, with bumper crops of most items. Here's to an equally great 2011. :thumbsup:
Here's a fun little video I also did in July, I think.
YouTube - Plants2b.mov

 

[smstonypoint]

BP,

Thanks. I will check out the thread and video.

Steve

 

[bp fick]

All I got was Gurney's Seed catalog, so far. I need more. I have tastes and preferences that they alone cannot fill.

Not to bring up a sore subject, but they also do not do well in customer review type sites, with only 50% of their customers being satisfied. Ouch.

 

[ToadHill]

Well I got one yesterday and 3 more today. Looks like only have about 6 more to go.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I grow about 10 varieties of tomatoes each year. Have been doing that for I dunno, maybe thirty years. Each year I try 5 new varieties I haven't tried before.

If I may suggest, and you haven't tried them before, the Sungold cherry tomato. They are far and away the sweetest, best tasting tomato for snacking I've ever run across. My wife is VP of the local garden club and we give some away at the summer meetings. The members always clamor for more. I start many more plants than I wind up planting so the extras get raffled off at the meetings.

Do you tickle your seedlings while they are in the greenhouse? Assuming you have one, or a cold frame. My wife laughs when I tell her I must do this for a healthy plant.

 

[stevess]

just started last year. it's addictive. i've used heirloom seed co and baker creek seed co and was happy with the service. i tried too many different items and i'm thinking of narrowing down but i get carried away with all the offerings. i wasn't happy with the tomatoes but the squash-eggplant-cukes did well.
steve
bx25