Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper planting
Once again we had a record cold and I know that many of you have already planted tomatoes and peppers. They do NOT like that. I hope you at least covered them.
The best time to plant tomatoes and peppers is when the soil is 60 degrees or more. It’s not that they will die (except for that record cold) but they won’t be happy.
There are plenty of soil temp gauges out there, it’s worth your while to pick one up. When planting, be sure to sink that tomato plant deep, they will root from anywhere on the stem, also, they are heavy feeders.
Check out this video I made for my show “DigIn Minnesota” in 2013. This is GREAT information. Tom has been growing heirloom tomatoes for years and they are amazing.
If you’re not into using fishheads, as Tom does, add a Drammatic Organic fertilizer with kelp. Also place a barrier around the stem at soil level to deter cutworms.
This year I planted ‘Grape Juliet’, ‘Supersweet 100’, ‘Heirloom Cherokee Purple’ and a roma tomato. I haven’t tried these before so I’m excited to see how they do!
Stake or cage your tomato plants right away. They’ll get better air circulation, have fewer pest problems and allow the fruit to totally ripen. You can use old nylons to tie the stem to the stake, if necessary and prune the weak side stems. You’re growing the plant up not out.
Typically I don’t plant tomatoes and peppers until Memorial Day weekend, but this year and future years, are warming up. The soil for my zone 4 area is warm enough, 60 degrees, and the forecast calls for 70’s and even low 80’s!
Remember you can plant these wonderful veggies/fruits… whatever you prefer to call them… in containers too!
YUM, I can’t wait!!
OH, and don’t forget the plantskydd! I’ve used it for years to deter rabbits. I also have beets, beans and radishes planted along with basil, parsley, tarragon (perennial) , oregano and dill! As well as nasturtium