Starting Veggies from Seed

[debodun]

A woman I delived meals to had tomatoes growing by her back porch last summer. I don't think she picked any - the plants were loaded with fruit. I asked her if I could have a few and she refused. After the frost, all the plants were dead with frozen fruit still on them. What a waste.

 

[Kaila]

Tomato plants like the breeze shelter, and the warmth, of being near a house wall.
especially if it faces the South.
If you happen to have a location like that for them.

In addition to gradually adapting them to the outdoors chill, and wind and varying temps,

the seedlings (both tomato and pepper) would also benefit, if you want to, by some sort of home-made "collar" or "house"
such as a large yogurt container with bottom cut off, or milk jug with bottom, and top cut off.....

It gives them a bit of warmth and wind protection, and also prevents cutworms and other ground crawlers from nibbling at them while they have young, tender and tasty 'trunks.'

 

[Aneeda72]

I put some straight neck squash seeds in the ground today, as well as cucumbers. Four strawberry, two pepper, an acorn, spaghetti squash, and a watermelon plant. I also have four tomato plants to put in but the next section of the planter has to be done first.

Making progress. The old guy behind us mowed his lawn and we met him for the first time. Said he didn’t mind if our dogs barked. Which means he minds because he brought it up . But they don’t bark any more than any of the other dogs. They are in the house at night.

 

[Em in Ohio]

I planted all my peas outdoors way too soon and assume they have rotted. I have saved tomato and green pepper seeds - probably too late to start them now, but I'll try. I do know that some peppers can be grown indoors - what I just learned is that they don't die off annually! Guess I'll stick some seeds indoors today - probably nothing to lose. The last real outdoor garden that I planted was 6 years ago - squash grew 3 and a half feet long - so many that I couldn't give them away fast enough. In these trying times, I think growing your own veggies is probably very wise!

Update: The peas survived multiple freeze and thaw sessions! I'm so tickled to see the 2 inch sprouts! The green pepper and tomato seeds have yet to show any signs of life, but I haven't given up on them. Of all the things that may reopen after the shutdown - I'd like garden nurseries to be first!