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I was thinking of direct sowing some tomato seeds and covering them with milk jugs cut to fit. I know this would work with seedlings, but will it work with seeds? It was in the 40's overnight last night, but realistically our frost free date is Memorial Day.
Jason, it probably would work. Not much to lose with trying it. If you start them indoors you can pot them up as they get bigger setting them deeper each time. This gives you stronger plants. Hey maybe you could seed them outside but reset them deeper when the weather warms. They might get really hardy that way. You might be onto something there.
Posts: 96 | Location: Indiana Zone 5 | Registered: February 06, 2005
It would probably work best with the earlier varieties and cherry tomatoes. When my volunteer cherry plants start coming up, then I know it's time to put the started transplants out.
---------------------------------------- Everything that blooms and grows, the garden angel scatters and sows...in the land of corn and pigs...gardensandquiltsatyahoodotcom
Posts: 2466 | Location: Zone 4-5, North Central Iowa | Registered: April 12, 2002
Yes, The only problem I see too, is the soil temperature is not warm enough to germinate the seeds. But go ahead and do it. Let them germinate when they will, see if this plant gives you an extended harest later in the season, provided of course you protect it in the fall, You didn't say where you are, so all things depending. Lisaann
Posts: 4610 | Location: MARYLAND zone 6 | Registered: May 23, 2003
Okay Michigan, Well, it's gonna have to be a short term , Like they suggested, early girl or some other 58 to 65 day harvest time I would think, but someone will have ideas for you. I don't like early girls myself, I like big beef(70-72 days) lisaann
Posts: 4610 | Location: MARYLAND zone 6 | Registered: May 23, 2003
Thanks for the advice. I am positive the soil is no where near 70 right now. Perhaps I will build a small cold frame this weekend. I will start planning earlier next year so I will have seedlings ready to go earlier. Then I am sure I can cover them and they should be ok.
If you start them inside now you'll be fine. You still have enough time. I've tried setting out really big plants to get a jump on the season and got 1 or 2 early tomatoes. Then the big plants just went on the same schedule as the others after that.
Posts: 96 | Location: Indiana Zone 5 | Registered: February 06, 2005
Tomato seeds need a soil temperature of around 70 degrees to germinate, and that is the biggest reason those of us up in the north country start ours indoors. If you can provide an outdoor soil temperature in the 70's now your plan will work fine, but I doubt that you have soil that warm.
