Got my tomato seedlings going!

[ConcernedCanuk]

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Short growing season up here in Northern Ontario - just bought a property that will allow me to have multiple greenhouses and gardens,

So getting a head start on the tomatoes.

Recommended is a soil temperature of 45 degrees before planting outside, so I dig a hole about 8" deep, buy a cheap large thermometer, put it in the hole, fill it up with loose soil, then plant when the thermometer reaches 45 degrees.

Does it work?

mmmmm

well

take a peek - I posted this years ago -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=246x10250

CC

[ColumbusLib]

1. Planted my tomato seedlings out yesterday...

... Here in Columbus, Ohio. It was 85 degrees yesterday and supposed to be near freezing tonight! I put walls-o-water around each of them, so they should be okay. Planted Japanese Black Trifele, Paul Robeson, Amazon Chocolate, and cherry Sweet Million- started all from seed inside in February. Have one left to plant out: Solar Flare.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. No freaking way!!!!

What is the heck did you feed that tomato plant? Small children????

That is one incredible plant. Have you been able to duplicate it?

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. Haven't duplicated it yet, haven't tried, long story

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BUT, will try soon, just bought 28 acres with a large clearing spot to put greenhouses/gardens in.

What did I feed it?

Nothing you can buy in a store . .

Humanure (Google it) - crushed egg shells, urine/water mix (20% urine) and rainwater.

Plus, I maintained it daily,

spraying the leaves with with rainwater, more than once on extremely hot days.

wasn't totally scientific about it, being a beer drinker, I just relieved myself around the roots!

It worked!

CC

[Curmudgeoness]

7. No, that wasn't totally scientific!

My mother (born 1921) lived in a very poor area when she was young. An old black woman who lived next door to them had a beautiful garden every year....my mom said that she used a chamber pot, and would go dump it out every morning in the garden and working that into the soil. So you are not the first one to do that, and it obviously works. Of course it works....scientifically speaking, urine has lots of nitrogen.

[patricia92243]

3. First plants in your new home. I'm so happy for you :)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. Good luck. To me, there's nothing better than the feeling of starting out

with all the hope in the world you will be enjoying the best tomatoes yet. Unfortunately, for me, the squirrels are dreaming the same dream

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Also, got my onion sets yesterday

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I retrieved my planters from my old place, soil from the grocery store -

Getting ready to have onions (green) that don't come from Mexico!

CC

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Onion sets are planted!

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2-3 weeks, I can step out the door, grab a few, and fresh onions with no chemicals for din-din!

and yeah,

planted enough (50) that I'll harvest some when they are only 3-4" high.

I pick a few, then put a new set in each vacant hole,

so it's a continuous supply after 3 weeks!!

yummm

CC

[LancetChick]

10. Ok, the size is certainly impressive, but...

... how do you maintain a tomato plant's health for that long a period of time? By the end of the season my tomatoes have yellowing leaves, thrips, and who knows what fungi or diseases setting in. In spring they are models of perfection, in fall they are still producing, but look pooped, as if they are Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles saying "Ah'm TIRED!".

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. First of all, I built the greenhouse with discarded thermal-panes.

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I harvested the last of the tomatoes in November, snow on the roof and all.

Used what they call "passive solar" -

painted 5 gallon (20 litre) pails and filled them with water on the south side of the greenhouse.

They'd soak up the heat from the sun and maintain enough heat for overnight.

No fungi, no bugs whatsoever.

And does that "tree" look "pooped"?

I think not.

CC