Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Tomato and pepper planting
Okay, so we had 90 degrees where I live… and sometime this week (I think today) it’s supposed to be a low of 39… UGH. Anyway, I DID plant my tomatoes and pepper.
Many of you have already planted tomatoes too. In fact some nurseries have already run out! Soil temperatures should be at least 60 degrees for tomatoes and even warmer for peppers. There are plenty of soil temp gauges out there, it’s worth your while to pick one up.
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.
When planting, be sure to sink that tomato plant deep, they will root from anywhere on the stem as they are heavy feeders. Snip the bottom leaves off and sink the plant up to 10 inches deep.
If you’re not into that, add a Drammatic Organic fertilizer or other fish emulsion.
Place a barrier around the stem at soil level to deter cutworms. I use the containers they came in. Using an exacto knife I cut them down and place them around the tomatoes.
Stake or cage your tomato plants right away, it’s a lot easier when they’re smaller! Your plants will get better air circulation, have fewer pest problems and the fruit will ripen more fully with that room.
You can use old nylons to tie thick stems to the stake, if necessary. Prune the weak side stems. You’re growing the plant up, not out.
As for peppers, with the heat we’ve experienced you should feel free to plant them. But cover them up with temperatures below 35 degrees. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to cover them up with 40 to 45 degrees!! Just remove the covering during the day.
I planted ‘Sweet Banana’ and ‘Jalapeno’ peppers along with several herbs too. I also picked up some marigolds and have them lined along the tomatoes.