Testimonial

Dan

September 29th, 2014

"Hi Nan, last winter I purchased some peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. The cucumbers were really great and abundant. The peppers were delicious but the tomatoes all had a green bottom, and really seemed to come out too late to ripen. I think I may have started them in the garage too early and stunted their life. Any comments on the tomatoes they may have gotten too cold in the garage, the temp was around 50-60ish. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for any help."

Seed for Security Reply

Hello Dan,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Tomatoes need to be started in pots 6-8 weeks before planting in your garden. Time the starting of your seeds so they can be planted as soon as there is no danger of frost. You need a good strong plant with a solid root structure. I use grow lights to start my tomatoes. I put the light so close to the seedlings that it almost touches. Keep the light just above the plants as they grow. Water only when the soil starts to dry out. Without plenty of light tomatoes will grow leggy, weak and often break. I fertilize as soon as the seedlings pop up and once a week after that. If you do not have grow lights a very sunny window will do. The temperature of your garage should not be a problem, as long of course, that it does not freeze.
Happy Gardening,
Nan