Doing Something Completely Different

[AlittleSalt]

Every day I hear more about the Coronavirus, and most of my family are essential workers - I'm worried about that. I turn 55 in April and birthdays that end with a 0 or 5 seems to mean something more for some reason. Why post that here? Because I'm going to do something different that involves tomatoes.

Anyone in Texas should have started tomato seeds months ago is what I am to understand. I have done that for years, and the tomato plants always grow lanky by March. We bought small transplants a week ago. I potted them up and they're lanky already. It's not because of my old T-12 lighting. I set them outside in mostly shade - I didn't use the lighting.

While watching the gardens over the years, I have noticed volunteers. When do they sprout? In later April and May. Hmm. Maybe all of the stuff I read on another site was wrong? Mother nature might know better. I'm going to start tomato seeds today.

So Far:

Brads's Atomic Grape (2016)
Rebel Yell (2014)
Stump of the World (2007)

[worth1]

The shade might be making them lanky.

[PlainJane]

I’m in N. Florida, not that different from a lot of Texas climate wise. I start early in order to dodge the brutal summer humidity and night temps. There is just no growing tomatoes here come end of June.

That means I have leggy seedlings in March too. I strip off the lower leaves and plant 6 or 8 inches deep.
The best growth rates come in April and May, always.

[GoDawgs]

Today is tomato seed starting day for me too. Oh boy! Over time and note taking, I got to where I start tomato seeds about 4-5 weeks before I plant them. Depending on how they're growing, that's 3-4 weeks under the lights and one week hardening off on the porch. It keeps them from getting leggy and they're about the perfect size for me at planting time. Plus I won't have to run out now and then and cover the dang things when that last shot of possible frost comes through.

BTW, the three 'maters you listed are in my line up too. I mean, how can someone in Georgia not grow Rebel Yell? Yeeeeeeee hawwwww!

[brownrexx]

I am growing Rebel Yell for the first time this year.

[worth1]

With the outrageous amount of light I use I don't have leggy plants.
That and the cold treatment.

Which the ones I have out now are getting a good dose of.

[JohnJones]

I found spaghetti squash and Sugar Baby melon sprouts in the garden last week in Mississippi, fwiw.

[AlittleSalt]

I was asleep when I started this thread. I sleep walk when I get too stressed out and it has been happening for decades now. I'm just now seeing this thread (While awake). I woke up this morning to find three packs of tomato seeds on the kitchen bar. Eventually I checked on the posts at the site and well, here I am.

I guess I'm starting tomato seeds today. I should add a another cherry tomato to the list.

Worth, the reason why the tomato plants have been out in the shade is because it has been cloudy almost every day.

GoDawgs, thank you. You do this late tomato seed starting thing on purpose. That helps me.

[Ginger2778]

The shade might be making them lanky.

That's what I think. Reaching for the light.

[GoDawgs]

GoDawgs, thank you. You do this late tomato seed starting thing on purpose. That helps me.

I found that if I start them too early then I have to up-pot them to keep them from getting leggy if the weather temps aren't cooperative for planting out. And it never fails that those years when they have to be up-potted, the weather continues to be uncooperative so that they get a tad leggy anyway and have to be planted deep. Sigh... what's a gardener to do? Dang if you do, dang if you don't. It keeps life interesting.