As much as I've enjoyed our 75-plus degree weather yesterday and today, I don't quite trust that it's really here to stay--at least not enough to plant my tomatoes in the ground yet--so I potted them. The forecast indicates a low of 45 tonight, so I'll bring in my potted tomatoes tonight and let them back out for tomorrow's sun. I have Juliets, an Old German, a Valley Girl, a Sun Gold, and a tomatillo. Boggy Creek farm will have some transplants for sale in the next few weeks, so I plan to buy Cherokee Purples from them.
Last weekend husband Kurt added lots of our homemade compost and made a fluffy, 10-inch deep bed for me to plant potatoes (Yukon Gold) for the first time ever. I never considered myself much of a potato person until I tasted freshly dug Yukon Golds. They're very creamy and not overly starchy. Can't wait!
Posts
11 comments:
Wow, you are so far ahead of us. Your weather sounds lovely! I am looking forward to some consistent warm days. It will be nice to spend more time outside.
I think you are right to hold off for a bit. Tomatoes don't really move until the soil really warms up. I will be looking out for how your spuds do as I would really like to try growing some too.
I hope to plant yukon or klondike gold potatoes too. They are delicious. After cooking we pull the skin off, mash them, add cheese, butter and salt. Yum. I could eat them almost every day.
Blessings
Diane
You are so right! Be ready to bring those babies to warmth. Trisha does CTG segment for April 3: below 50 at night permanently damages them. Watch for lengthy purple stems on nursery plants that indicates freeze damage for plants not protected. Keep in containers safe & warm for roots to get big; plant when temps past low nights. Still have row cover ready in case of late surprise.
Leslie--Our weather has finally become pretty great! I'm grateful.
Lancashire rose--I'm excited about the potato prospect. My potted tomatoes look perfectly happy so far, even though moving them in and out every night is getting a little old.
Diane--Aren't they just the best? I don't even remove the skins before I mash them!
LindaCTG--Thank you for confirming my hunch! Will make sure to catch tomorrow's CTG for more info. My row cover's not far away...
We're a little south of you and the wise old souls here say there's always a surprise mid-late March freeze. My hairdresser told me yesterday to start mine in buckets so I can move in & out like you're doing. (Doesn't everyone talk tomatoes and BBQ with their hairdresser?)
In and out - in and out. I am moving my tomato plants in at night too, Iris. I think plants I got last year were not adequately protected - that may be why they never really took off or produced much (or so I tell myself...).
I'll be interested to see how your potato growing goes. Do you know - is it true you can't plant them in the same spot twice?
Kathleen--Buckets are an excellent idea! I think your hairdresser is pretty great.
Deb--I thought you were supposed to avoid planting anything in the same place year after year, so I've TRIED to rotate.
Now that you mention it, we'll make a point to plant a couple of potatoes in the same spot next year as an experiment. Because I'm just crazy like that and have to see for myself!
Oh, must add, I ran into Max from Urban Roots at Wheatsville today. He's keeping tomatoes under cover. Last year they planted last few days of March and a few days later we got a freeze.
Good thing you didn't plant those tomatoes! It's supposed to be no warmer than the upper 30s at night early in the week. Smart girl! I'm looking forward to reading your potato progress reports. Maybe I'll try the Yukon golds next year!
LindaCTG--Thanks for the additional info!
Lynell--I'm glad I kept them in pots, too! I brought them inside a few hours ago because it was so windy. I spotted the first few potato seedlings yesterday--woo-hoo!
Post a Comment