Thanks for all the good info. I’d always heard that planting tomatoes is best when nighttime temps are not dropping below the 50’s.
The 4 tomatoes I planted were probably a good 6-8” tall, not new seedlings. They got sun scald (my fault) the first day they were outside. One tomato plant is still looking alive - I covered it with a 5-gallon bucket Fri/Sat nights when we set a new record low (33F) for this time of year.
Previously, when I planted tomatoes early, they didn’t do much growing until temps were staying in the 50’s at night, then they started “taking off”.
It looks like I’ll have to replace the 3 tomato plants that died - fingers crossed my one remaining plant makes it because it is a “Celebrity”, my very favorite tomato. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find Celebrities when I start looking again.
The sunflowers/tithonia did great under the plastic. The radishes could probably survive a nuclear event. My peppers (bell & jalapeno - fresh seeds for both) have not come up from seeds & it’s been at least 2 weeks. The “old” seed (lettuces, scallions, onions) also do not look like they’re coming up. IF I can find bell/jalapeno plants at a reasonable price, I will buys some 4-packs & give up on the ‘from seed’ idea. The cucumber seeds have germinated - noticed some 2-leaf plants emerging from the soil Friday - covered them with clay pots & as of yesterday,they looked like they made it through the cold temps.
The birds are feeding heavily again at the feeders - the cold mornings have them fueling up early/late. I put out Nyger thistle for the first time & the Goldfinches have been coming in droves - like rays of sunshine with their bright gold coats! I spent some birthday money on a thistle feeder - money well-spent & I’ll be feeding thistle seed for sure in the future.
and at least 60's in the day, with sun. Which is close to June at the earliest here, but some need to go infirst unless I transfer them to larger containers. Watching the forecast.
I habe 1 celebrity....mismatched start mixed in with Old Germans at Costco. Usually grow all my own starts but these Old Germans were looking too good to pass up and I have never tried them before.
Unfortunately the wife is a bad listener (is I listening or ignoring???) when you say “get 9 plants each of Old Germa and Blavk Krim) and you get 9 plants total....5 Old German, 1 celebrity, 2 black Krim, and 1 mystery non labeled tomato? There were in cradles of 3 pots.
I believe, since we have been married 28 years, I am pretty sure I know how the decision making went.
“18 plants is too much money...only getting 9. Three per cradle, no need to check and see if any Costco shoppers swapped plants around....these 1st three cradles will work.