Gardening Peer Pressure Is A Real Thing

[@normalivengood1197]

A few years ago I started tomatoes on my birthday (02/25) as a treat to myself, but it turned into a bit of a mess when I had hundreds of little seedlings way too early! LOL Now I just start my cold hardy crops first and wait on the tomatoes and peppers for so many of the reasons you mentioned. Great information, great video as usual. Thanks so much!

[@eliandkate]

The waiting is hard though isn’t it? Even I sit here desperate to sow 😂😂😂

[@kaylear4189]

I had shoulder surgery on 1/25 - thinking my seeds would take awhile to germinate- I planted 1/24 - everything germinated! I have so many little plants and 120 tomatoes! All in our front bedroom in containers!

[@GardenerScott]

Great video! Peer pressure is real in gardening. Luckily when I see videos telling me what I can plant in my garden in February my frozen soil prevents me from doing it.

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha Mother Nature making sure you don’t go rogue 😂

[@katiekat6768]

Thank you for this Eli 🤗 So many are saying “sow this now” “ look at my great seedlings, now mini plants😯” and it does make you feel a bit of a failure if your not on the same track. Seed packets too, they are based on weather we used to have when it was very typical spring summer autumn and winter. Our climate is changing🤷‍♀️ You are spot on when you mention ‘ your environment’ that’s what we need to take on board, keep track of the local weather and predictions for the area your in and think about where things are going to grow. It is difficult to hold out 😅 I was feeling I should start my tomatoes now but I’m not… Ile have to be content watching my chillis etc growing 😆 It’s good you have your videos to look back on …. I’m grateful for your honesty and openness and willingness to share. Happy gardening 🌱🌷🌼

[@eliandkate]

That’s brilliant to hear Katie

[@Garden-of-weeden]

This was an amazing insight to the differences in sowing times… you can really see the differences! I’ve always found that March sown tomatoes are much sturdier 😊 thank you for sharing x

[@eliandkate]

There’s such a difference isn’t there? I think that’s what convinced me, yeah the earlier down ones are taller but they just don’t look as healthy.

[@Garden-of-weeden]

@@eliandkate was mind blowing tho seeing that video! 🥰

[@ameliabeeley4005]

A fella plot holder (died in Jan), sowed his tomato seeds in pots in the greenhouse under a propagator. They were lovely little sturdy plants. Not this year though 😢 going to grow a Shirley tomato and name it George after him. RIP

[@eliandkate]

Lovely thing to do 😍

[@simplifygardening]

still love that makeshift work bench. brill video with great tips Eli

[@eliandkate]

That bench is a game changer! 😂😂😂 it’s the little things

[@CMDRSloma]

I never feel pressured, but I like to experiment. So this is why I will space my three tomato plants of the same variety by roughly 4 weeks apart, one early, one on the same time as always and one later. I have sown first this weekend, and my average last frost date is around 28th of March. I will keep it in the unheated greenhouse until it warms up enough to be put outside, which is usually around mid-late April. I only hope we won't get another ultra-wet summer in Belfast. A man can dream... 😜

[@eliandkate]

hmmm hoping for not wet in Belfast.... em....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lindarobertson8505]

Great video Eli, lots of food for thought. The difference in the plants if you leave sowing a couple of months is really noticeable. Thank you 😊

[@eliandkate]

It’s crazy how they catch up I know we always say it but actually seeing it

[@ndmcb7408]

You definitely encouraged me (not pressured) to buy columnar fruit trees but that was purely because I didn't know they existed and thought I'd never be able to have anything like that so thanks 😊. But the constant barrage of "I started my seeds off a million years ago - get busy or you'll starve, slowpoke" gets old real quick. I've started taking weekly pictures of my garden to A- show me the sun position, B - to remind me of the weather conditions and C - to show growth. Hopefully next year it'll give me some peace of mind and stop me getting a bit previous with my seeds

[@eliandkate]

That’s a really good way to record everything 👏👏

[@inelouw]

I record the monthly graphs from our local weather station in my garden journal, so I can look up year by year when we had frosts, when we had hot temps, etc etc. without having to rely on my memory or having to account for differences in the time of day if I recorded the temperatures myself. It's so useful!

[@CSaville]

Great video! I got 'a bit' over enthusiastic in my first year growing tomatoes even prior to the arrival of my greenhouse as I'd already purchased lights and a heated propagator. I still start my Chilli's in January as they are so slow to grow and need a long season but that year I planted my tomatoes at the same time. My house was like a scene from 'Day of the Triffids' before the greenhouse got put up and like you, I then had to heat it. Last year it was early March and my best crop to date. This year will be interesting as we we will be away until the end of March. I'm confident my propagater will get them off to a quick start and things might be better still.

[@eliandkate]

Oh I wanna hear how it goes! Yeah I’ve stuck with sowing my peppers in jan although I’m doing another lot in March this year.

[@lizatrue7543]

I don't feel any peer pressure at all to start my seeds mostly because I've looked up my last average frost date already and I know exactly how soon I need to get going. So, according to my U.S. zip code my last avg frost date is May 5th. If I count back the number of weeks seeds need take to get going I start then. Each veg/flower will be just a big different. The only thing I get going now is sweet potato slips. They take forever! You're right though that many people feel the pressure because they see so many starting seeds now. Good reminder that there's no hurry. I also loved seeing the differences between the early started tomatoes and the others. Great comparison!

[@susanblauss5829]

Excellent advice today Eli. It can be hard not to jump the gun and start seeds here too early at my zone 6B in Massachusetts. I now have a couple of aerogardens that I keep planted indoors in winter which helps resist the urge to plant seeds to soon lol.

[@eliandkate]

Yeah you guys have really harsh winters to contend with. Luckily as long as I go with hardy plants, I can still have green things to harvest over winter

[@MinOfForest]

Those aerogardens are an amazing way to help not plant early! I wanted to start peppers because of the “sow these” videos and convinced myself just to get a second hydro system 😂

[@allisond3184]

I absolutely sow by MY zone and from MY experience. I'm sowing tomatoes and peppers later this year than I did last year as they got too overgrown in their nursery pots and were struggling by the time I could transplant and I do not want to deal with that again. Great video!

[@skygazer1024]

That was brilliant showing the side by side comparison of when you started tomatoes. I have the issue of last frost in mid May but then it can suddenly get really hot. Makes it hard to know when to start.

[@eliandkate]

Oh that’s so different from me, I’d never even thought of that. I have last frost and then it doesn’t really get warm for another month so I’m still babying things for weeks and weeks after

[@kirstypollock6811]

Ooh. Yeah. By us, we sometimes don't get "spring", just BANG, it's warm. On the other hand, my potatoes got set back 2 weeks last year because of a localised frost on THE 2ND OF JUNE!! Thankfully, it was only in the field, not the front garden, else I'd have lost all my outdoor tomatoes!

[@maryallan453]

It's the same for me, zone 7b in Oklahoma. Our "official" last frost is mid-April, then bam! it's May, and it's summer with high temperatures.

[@lorainemcguire5795]

Hi Eli and Kate thanks for a beneficial video about tomatoes, that taste of the first one is amazing but we got to have a nice harvest to follow 🤞🍅 ❤👍

[@eliandkate]

Defo! 🥰🥰🥰

[@magpie1492]

I have my peppers, chillies, aubergines and cape gooseberries sown for the past month. I also have 4 cucumber plants growing for early indoor cucumbers. I have sown 3 varieties of early tomatoes, which tolerate colder temperatures. The bulk of my tomatoes will be sown mid March as I am aiming to make that magical smooth transition at the end of April. 🤞

[@Sustainingthepowers]

I appreciate seeing the side by side! I had a similar experience - the seeds sown really early produced a bit early then struggled, so I started a bit later last year. Even then, it was still too early as I had to pot them all up twice and then take them in and out of my house every morning/night (my husband was so sick of eating dinner inside "the jungle" of 1020 trays on our dinner table. 😂) I've been keeping a garden journal the past few years, so now I know what my ideal timeline is. The hardest part about having a last frost at the end of May is seeing everyone else sow these lovely varieties, and then finding they are all out of stock for the year if I wanted to buy some now.

[@eliandkate]

Yeah I buy all mine early and then just try to hold on best I can

[@Sustainingthepowers]

@eliandkate yes! Especially after the 2020 shortages, I try to have them planned and ordered before new year's day because stock was so limited that year and 2021. But then I get see pretty flowers or tomatoes and think, maybe I need some of those too? (Like Im growing dahlias and gazanias from seed this year thanks to you. 😍)

[@bethanskitchengarden]

Great video Eli&Kate, I remember when I first got into gardening I sowed aubergines and tomatoes in January without grow lights and they were so leggy by February and it was such a hassle potting them on, I learnt my lesson and grow more on the later side now. For the last few years I have had terrible problems with cucumbers but last year I sowed them at the beginning of May and I had a great harvest from them, rather than sow them in April where I think I put them out too early and they just didn't thrive very well at all. You are so right, just do what works for you. Take care 😊

[@eliandkate]

I don't grow cucumbers (kate hates them) but I suspect powdery mildew would be a real issue for me)

[@steffwood4282]

This is great! I only decided about a week ago that 2024 is the year to finally get my garden sorted, and I was already starting to feel like I've fallen behind. Now, I'm going to relax and 'do me' and not put so much pressure on myself to panic sow everything! Thanks Eli! 😊

[@eliandkate]

Best thing to do… just keep reminding yourself that gardening is something we do for joy

[@kirstypollock6811]

I DO wish I was as organised as you 😂! What I REALLY wish is that I had a braw wee greenhoos like you!

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂 it took me years to save for that one but it was sooo worth it

[@kirstypollock6811]

I can spend my saving up time deciding where it should go!

[@tater357]

Last year I sowed tomato and Pepper seeds early in the house using a tote system I created with a board of plywood for a top with a light built into it. Each year, I'd gather my seeds and get out this box and sew my seeds sometimes in January and sometimes first of February. Even as early as Late December. But last year, it was middle of February and these plants looked great. But it eventually got to the point to where the tote (Box) wasn't big enough. So I HAD to carry them outside to get more room and light. That's where I found I messed up. The temps outside were great to begin with, but then a cold snap came thru and a deep artic blast set in that killed all my plants. I was devastated. But I didn't give up. Immediately after the cold left, I got more seeds started and fortunately I saved just enough of the original seeds that I had plenty. Best Garden I ever had last year and the seeds were started outside. All i did was had a cover of plastic over them to keep the rain from beating them down. Worked perfectly. This year, TODAY actually. I started my tomato seeds and some of my pepper seeds outdoors in my newly built, non-heated greenhouse. Tonight's temps are dropping below freezing, but next week the highs are in the perfect tomato seed germination range. We'll see what happens. Good luck and I hope you have the best Garden year ever.

[@eliandkate]

fingers crossed for an awesome garden for you this year!!!!!

[@denisekelley2292]

Great Video! As one who used to give in to the excitement and start seeds too early (ok, I still do sometimes), it really does pay to wait. Thank you for clearing this up for so many gardeners. Living in a cool damp (wet) climate, it pays to be patient. Happy growing season!

[@eliandkate]

So wet this year 😢

[@shawnsgarden3742]

This is inspirational, and informative to novices who may look at sowing, on the basis of vids, you are right, there are so many vids out, ultimately, depending on your geographical location, its what's suits your conditions at the time, so many people say "so these now", "you must do this in Feb", its irrelevant, Do what's right for your climate.. Love this, it will help so many people not to jump in early...or late..

[@eliandkate]

Hope so… really hope it encourages people to be brave enough to learn local

[@inelouw]

Yes! There are so many variables. People always mention their hardiness zone like that's the only thing that matters, but a hardiness zone only says what the average coldest temperature is in your region. It doesn't say when your last frost date is, how hot your summers get, how long your growing season is, or even how many hours of daylight you get. I'm in zone 7a (North Macedonia), and my native country (the Netherlands) is zone 8b, even though it's MUCH further north. If I compare the growing conditions, we do get slightly colder winters, which explains the hardiness zone, but also much hotter summers that start earlier and end much later. We do have slightly shorter days in summer, but slightly longer days in winter, which also makes a difference. Finally, our climate is drier, which means fewer overcast days and much more sunlight. Those all influence growing conditions much more than the hardiness zone.

[@j.b.6855]

One of my rules of gardening is, if something fails try try again. Been there done that on starting plants to early. In my second year gardening (heading into my 6th season this year) I invested in a few led shop lights to start seeds. I set them up in a small 10x14 foot room in my basement that used to be a catchall for junk. I started seeds in February, huge mistake, with a plant out date of Mothers day. The plants got huge! and soon used up all the space. It ended up being 10 trays of big plants. Did I mention that the seed starting room is in the basement? Well let me tell you carrying 10 trays of big plants up 13 stairs every day to harden off and then back down when the time was up got old super quick. The room is now full of tables and I likely carry up 12 trays once, then they go in the shed overnight. But the number of plants in 2 or 3 trays is the same as the 10 in my second year.

[@eliandkate]

oh I feel that workout!!! Mine is upstairs, so multiple trips to water!

[@j.b.6855]

@@eliandkate It wouldn't be so bad if I was a younger man, and I know its good for me even now. At the time I was 56, I turn 61 this year, and it isnt the mussels that ache afterwards but the joints.

[@eliandkate]

Yeah…. Today’s joint pain is thumbs and first two fingers and one knee… who knows what tomorrow brings. 😂

[@cherylbranson6557]

Thanks for the pep talk. It does help and I truly love your advice and truthfulness. Now let’s grow!!😊

[@eliandkate]

Absolutely!!

[@jude5673]

Thanks Eli, this was brilliant. The way that you were able to show the difference across the years and to remember that despite getting a single early sungold tomato (you’ve got me onto these and thanks for the recommendation 😊) that you didn’t get a decent harvest until the more usual time. Something you said about the wee roots not being able to take up the nutrition just made total sense to me. Thank you. I’ve always been good at resisting the peer pressure. It’s my own excitement at the season starting that I need to keep an eye on 😂 Have a great week.

[@eliandkate]

oh I absolutely understand that one... I'm the same... itching to get going :D

[@stephenmckelvie2032]

Hi Eli, your spot on. I keep a zip up plastic covered greenhouse inside my unheated greenhouse. At the end of Jan, I put my Charlotte spuds in there thinking they would be nice and cosy. The whole lot went mouldy and mushy. My replacements are on the conservatory windowsill and still good.

[@eliandkate]

oh I know that one, I've had the same thing

[@Annie-oh3us]

Excellent video. Thx for the timely advice not to fall victim to gardening "peer pressure"! So enjoy your videos and blog. I've learned so much and appreciate your knowledgeable, fun and humble approach to gardening. I'm a Colorado gardener like Gardener Scott. Learning to garden at 7600 ft elevation is a challenge and it's lots of trial and error!

[@eliandkate]

I can't even imagine being that "high up" we're only about 67ft above sea level😯

[@Annie-oh3us]

Way too much O2 at your low elevation! 🙃@@eliandkate

[@julie-annepineau4022]

each year I start my tomatoes a bit later. I do find later start (6weeks) are much stronger plants and shock less when put into the garden. I am converting part of my deck to a green house this year and hoping to grow them out there once they get that first pot up. I think that will make them even stronger.

[@eliandkate]

A good dose of sunlight? 😊

[@chicosgarden]

Great video Eli, it's amazing how much healthier your Tomato plants did that were started in March in your unheated Greenhouse. Now, I am unsure when to start my tomatoes... I was waiting until March but mine will be started inside with heat and light and eventually be grown outside (in a raised bad, not a greenhouse). I still think March is my best bet as I have to accommodate for them in my house. What are your thoughts? I'm just outside of Glasgow, Scotland (I know you know but for anyone else curious who may be thinking the same.

[@eliandkate]

Well you could wait till April… but if you can manage them then March wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’s all about managing those plants as they grow

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Eli & Kate, what a brilliant video, woth lots of help & support too. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@eliandkate]

Glad it’s a useful one Christine. I was going through old footage the other week and realised what I had… and how useful it could be

[@glynisglynis8665]

Thank you for explaining everything so simply with clear comparisons. I was very antsy about sowing my tomatoes, but happy leave it to mix March now.

[@eliandkate]

Glad to help get rid of the antsy. Where in the UK are you (totally assuming UK if you are copying me)

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

Brilliant video Eli. Very interesting insight, brackets up by the videos of those seasons. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤

[@susan323plcsmc]

Hey there I personally not started tomato’s yet purely because at the min I’ve got a full window ledge as I’m trying to get more flowers growing this year to attract more pollinators as last year they loved my sunflowers and was all over them throughout the day so I’ve gone heavy on more flowers as I know how quick tomatoes do grow from my experience last year had them outside and they was growing taller than me and my fence 😂 this year I’ve planned out my garden hopefully better so can prune more this time 😊

[@CompostHeap]

Thanks Eli, your video is so spot on! Indeed, so many conflicting advices about. When you showed the comparison clips the penny dropped, re our variation in tomato plants both visually and harvest wise. I had never put 2 and 2 together but had always wondered why! Happy New Year, sowing is under way... Cxx

[@eliandkate]

I think the clips through the years are so useful… even for me!

[@phoenixsullivan]

Here in central Oklahoma my first planting of tomatoes is usually done in by the heat by early July and I plant out new transplants in mid-July for fall harvesting. So in my zone, I need to start the first round indoors pretty early (like right now), although they can still sulk if we have a cooler May after I kick them outside. This year, I have an unheated high tunnel for the first time, so all the cool season veggies I'm planting in it are an experiment!

[@eliandkate]

wow two sowings in a single season, that's so cool

[@louisejohnson3851]

Love your enthusiasm!

[@eliandkate]

If you can’t feel enthusiastic about spring coming then there’s no hope 😂😂😂

[@carolinebown8686]

Brilliant video as always .... Im so glad you've shared that with us this week ... just the boost I needed .... as Ive been abit panicky coz my seedlings aren't doing so good .... might just sow some more beginning of March 😍😍😍

[@eliandkate]

You go for it! I’ll be sowing mine with you 😍

[@pinoyfarmerinscotland7347]

I always sow my tomato end of march and plant them outside after the last frost date. Gardener from glasgow.

[@eliandkate]

Are you June for planting out too?

[@CarrieDriver-ub4yo]

This video is the best information I have had about seed startjng! Thank you so much!❤😊

[@eliandkate]

That makes me so happy

[@CarrieDriver-ub4yo]

For years I've done the inhouse starting with lights and I have a perfectly good greenhouse with thermal mass heat that I could be using. This will totally change how I start plants/ seeds this year! Thank you!

[@GardenofEmma]

I sowed my tomatoes today. Bit early but I saw others sowing and panicked. 😂 Fingers crossed for the little ones

[@eliandkate]

🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@rosammitchell6313]

I love your videos because I learn something new each time; but know that I do not feel pressured to sow my seeds because my climate in North Texas (Texas) is unpredictable and last year was extremely hot that I had to harvest the few tomatoes I had when they were still turning red and had them finish ripening in doors because of if I left them any longer they would burst 😢!!! Please keep you videos coming and I love your accent!!

[@eliandkate]

you are polar opposites to me, it's the cold snaps that stop my ripening tomatoes

[@deniseinthegarden]

So true Eli, love this. Thank you 🤗

[@eliandkate]

So glad!

[@margaretcraggs6713]

Thanks so much for a relaxing approach! My garden has clay, and we have had sooooo much rain! (I am in Oxfordshire) Every where is water logged. I really can’t do any gardening

[@eliandkate]

Oh I’m so with you That’s why we have raised beds for my veg…. We are heavy clay too and you can imagine just how water logged we get 😂😂😂

[@cheryl4511]

Thanks for your update. I need to start seeding

[@stephgriffiths3118]

Great video Eli, i haven't even thought about sowing any seeds yet but i do feel pressure from the internet or groups as i could be behind but i follow your motto garden for you x

[@eliandkate]

exactly. You know when your garden warms up :D

[@JoeMercer-xq6uo]

Brilliant! you're a lifesaver petal😎

[@eliandkate]

Saving the day, one petal at a time!🤣

[@user-maggiefindx]

Wow, I've just watched your video about pressure, sowing tomatoes, etc. Wow, wow, wow, what an eye opener, I've definitely been under pressure to sow my seeds for 2 reasons. Firstly, watching everyone on KZbin sowing theirs and, secondly, very keen to start as last year , having just taken up gardening. I kinda missed out on most things, so I was super enthusiastic to get going. As I live in Scotland ( West), not East like yourself, so maybe a slight difference but probably not much. So after watching your video, I realise I have probably gone too early . I think what I will have to do is use the seeds I've already sown as an experiment and sow more later in the year cause I only have a small unheated polytunnel , the seeds are under lights in my dining room but don't have the space to keep them there once they get big along with all the other things and I would imagine they will not handle the cold polytunnel. I know you have many questions from your followers, so I'm not expecting a reply, but I'm hoping you think this is a good plan. Let me know if you can. Loved this informative video but without criticism or talking down but empathic, caring, and sincere, so thanks xxx❤ P.s I've waffled on so much I'm not even sure what I'm saying so apologies if this doesn't make sense 😮

[@eliandkate]

Perfect sense 😁 and absolutely… it’ll be a great way to watch and learn… see how they react 🥰

[@jenkitching43]

Hi Eli. You nailed it!👌 I have been feeling so much pressure, and feeling so inadequate. It has got to the point where it seemed the more videos I watch for answers, the more confused I am getting.😢

[@Sylvie_M]

Have courage in your abilities. Gardening is a journey not a destination. A few learning experiences will help you feel more confident. Experiment a little. Grow things in your region just to see if you can. Many KZbinrs do lots of things that are expensive and/or not necessary at all. There are very few "mistakes" that cannot be fixed by reseeding. 😃

[@eliandkate]

Then you know the solution? Ignore the computer and get out into the garden 😁😁😁

[@annmolineux942]

Extremely helpful video. I was watching a well known gardening programme a couple of days ago and panicked when I saw him plant out sweetcorn. I jumped up and sowed mine only to realise it was a recap from last year! I did wonder when he must have sown them and that it did seem very spring like! 😂

[@eliandkate]

Oh no!!!!!!!!! I did that my first year, copied gardeners world and sowed tatties far too early

[@connorsmith9244]

THIS is good and important gardening content! Thanks, Eli!

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sandracacy3232]

Thanks Eli!! I’m not sure I feel pressured to start seeds early or if it’s just I get so excited to be watching everyone else start that I want to start 😂 but I’m about two weeks out still from starting anything still.

[@eliandkate]

oh the excitement is a real thing... I absolutely get that too

[@Nanchantress]

This is good advice to be patient. In my garden journal from last year I tell my future self to wait an extra month before starting my seeds lol. I'm trying really hard but.... hahahaha oh well.

[@eliandkate]

I feel how hard it is🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MiriamDominoes]

So helpful Eli. Thank you

[@eliandkate]

glad to hear it 💕

[@Feelgoodgardens]

Fabulous video Eli, food for thought. Thanks for sharing 👍❤

[@chambersjane50]

Timing of this video is super helpful and I will now wait to sow my tomatoes, West Midlands. Thank you.

[@eliandkate]

When is a good time for you waaaaaay down there then?🤣

[@chambersjane50]

@eliandkate only 2nd year sowing tomatoes, and I felt too late last year, late April I think. But I was feeling pressure to get on now, by others on social media, so your video really is spot on. I will sow late March, after a week away ... much more sensible, I think 🤔

[@eliandkate]

I kinda assume you will be ahead of me by a week or two….. but in truth it all depends on where you are. The high ground in the midlands tends to be more similar to me

[@chambersjane50]

@@eliandkate well, it's all experimental for me at this point in my growing journey 😀

[@chambersjane50]

@@eliandkate p.s. 8 miles (east) from Stoke-on-Trent

[@celiamcqueen1299]

Thanks again Eli excellent video. As a new gardener with a new greenhouse I feel the pressure hearing friends say what they are sowing now (I live in Ayrshire and it’s freezing cold and windy over here! 🥶💨🌬️) why in these conditions puzzles me? 🤨🤨🤨 🤣. However I’m going to stick with what you advise I’ll do me 🤣. Thanks again 👌

[@eliandkate]

Defo a good plan. You’ll be a bit warmer than me through spring and summer but March, in the greenhouse will be a good start time for yiu

[@celiamcqueen1299]

@@eliandkate thanks Eli really appreciate that 👍

[@adysveggarden]

Hi Eli, Interesting to see the comparisons between the different sowing especially the 2022 and the 2023. If you are doing the same timings again this year it would be interesting see any difference and also compare with your weather station data for the same times.

[@quietspacearts]

love your t-shirt, yes i started alsorts inddors though half in hydroponics and other half in coir and pearlite along with nutrient water bottom fed, but i only have house heat at 16 degrees at night and 18 degrees daytime

[@eliandkate]

I’m quite chuffed with the shirts. Special for this month 😁

[@timflatus]

Yeah because of something I saw on the internet I went and got a load of coco coir and vermiculite and it's working brilliantly. Several things I sowed at new moon are coming up already. I don't sow my tomatoes until April and I'll plant them out in June, they're also loving the new potting mix.

[@eliandkate]

You sure it wasn’t something else? It can’t be advice from weirdos on the internet 😂😂😂

[@larrymills1487]

Zone 3 Canada sow the end of March plant outside end of May or after the new moon in June always nice tomatoes

[@RobinGardens]

Loved this one! Spot on information.

[@eliandkate]

yay! Glad. you enjoyed it. Sometimes a wee natter in the greenhouse works wonders for our spirit :D

[@MrCiaranMc]

A brilliant video.

[@meghanplamondon8639]

Eli, this was so informative! For those of us who like pics to really see the difference, you smashed it! In my zone 3 b where my last frost date is May 21, I really have to hold myself back on sowing tomatoes too early. At least I could sow my onions already because they can take some cold and they need time to set big bulbs. I can’t wait to see how your tomatoes go this year. What zone are you in btw? ❤

[@eliandkate]

Glad it was helpful meghan We’re not in a zone (obviously usda stuff isn’t relevant to us cause our land mass is so different so the way our climate works is too) but I’ve always worked to a last frost date at the end of May… but… we don’t get the sudden change you guys do. It can be a month or two after the last frost date before it’s tomato temperatures over night for us

[@bulasty]

Thanks, great advice and video

[@eliandkate]

Hope it helps make this year a good un.

[@dskirkpa55]

Thanks Eli, for your informative information. Always enjoy your vids.

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@charyle1974]

Fantastic video! Thank you xxx

[@eliandkate]

glad you enjoyed it👏

[@mellfraze8112]

I garden in interior valley northern California USA, mild winters & generally described as a mediteranean climate. Even though my average last frost date is Feb 28th, I still don't start tomatoes until mid March at the earliest. March & early April can still be quite a bit cooler than what tomatoes prefer for growing. Once I get some sort of cover to grow under I might try starting them earlier but it really is best to wait for the warmth of late spring & early summer. I do want to try starting tomato seeds in mid summer though & see if I can get a better fall crop with new plants because we often get really hot in July & August which can stress the tomatoes to the point of stopping fruit production. I'd have plenty of time even with tomatoes started at mid summer to get a fall harvest since the we usually don't get frost until the first week of december.

[@eliandkate]

I get that It’s at least 4 or 5 weeks between our last frost and night temps being tomato friendly

[@StephanieYouTube]

Thank you Eli, definitely feel much better now haha! I live in Bristol (UK) and im going to start my very first growing season in March. Not long to go now at all 😊 I was going to ask if you have a discord channel for gardening advice for your youtube community?

[@eliandkate]

Yay Glad we’ve given you some smilies about getting your season going 👏👏👏👏 We do have discord and a lot of other bits and bobs including exclusive videos, it’s part of our patreon fan-club. Feel free to check it out and see if it’s for you, but absolutely no pressure if it’s not 😁

[@eliandkate]

Hey Stephanie.... we just added a discord channel you guys can come chat in :D discord.gg/R8vNw2knQz

[@chriseverest4380]

This year, second year growing. Trying out heat mats and shop lights on a very small scale in South Yorkshire. Not hopeful but trying. Accepting that March will be better. Going to chit potatoes on Feb 21st. Last year planted them in tubs April 14th.

[@eliandkate]

The experimenting is fun 😁

[@amandasylvester3878]

Still the dafty experimenter up here, never heating my greenhouse after this year! Only doing it for my pea shoots, kale and chard germination really. Learned the bad way last year when my South facing bathroom became a jungle of beans and cucumbers 😂 They can wait this year, leaving plenty of room for tomato plants and flower seedlings indoors. Although maybe 50 geraniums is a bit much 🤷‍♀️ xxx

[@eliandkate]

🤣 maybe

[@plotno.9]

Such great advice! Love it! ❤

[@eliandkate]

Glad you liked it!!

[@carrottopsallotment]

Oh my god yes!!! The peer pressure is real!!!!

[@eliandkate]

It so is and none of us are immune 😍

[@simonysinclair7163]

Great info, thank you x

[@eliandkate]

You are so welcome!

[@samanthahoos9827]

I promised myself not to sow too soon so I am planning to start seeds March 2 for potting up in April to the greenhouse.

[@stringandbeansgarden]

You've probably answered this before, but when is your last frost date? (Mine's April 12th) I've played with 'when' I start my tomatoes (inside), and of course run out of space to keep them until I know the unheated greenhouse night-time temps stay above 10C...You didn't pressure me but inspired me to experiment with an April sowing in the greenhouse vs my inside starts and see what happens...😜

[@eliandkate]

I’ve always worked as a”end of May” but to be honest…. Here it’s irrelevant , last frost passes weeks and weeks before it’s actually warm enough over night. We have a very slow ramp up in temps.

[@malins4573]

Amazing video, well needed, thanks 🎉

[@eliandkate]

Hope it’s useful for you. 😁

[@joannewilliams5589]

I’ve had four foot tomato plants on bathroom floor from sowing them too soon and most never made it outside cos I couldn’t carry them. I had a tiny back yard then. Now I’ve got a bigger garden so I’m not starting them yet. In north of England, near Manchester. Xxx

[@eliandkate]

I know you absolutely weren’t the only one!

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

Almost always, based on my average lost frost of 1st of May, I sow my tomato about Mid March. I have a grow shelf with lots of lights, in my basement. I also have an unheated sun room, that once I pot up, I can move the seedlings into with LOTS more space. Essentially it's a hug glass greenhouse room. Unheated, but with the sun beating, it may hit 80's F (25-28C) The soil in the pots never drops too cool, so, I can keep my seedlings there, until the outside has a decent overnight temp of a low of 50-54F (10-12C) or higher. That means, i sow tomato seeds Mid March. BUT, last year, I snuck in an experiment, and started a few plum type tomato end of Jan to try and get an early harvest and a second planting also Mid-March!

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

oooh, forgot to mention, Across the Big Pond, in New England. Year 6 of serious gardening (more than a pot or three), but really, been gardening for a few decades now!

[@eliandkate]

that sounds like you've got the best of all worlds :D

[@janetrush8340]

How did last years experiment go with the early tomato plant, did you get early tomatoes?

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

@@janetrush8340 I got early Roma. AND got a harvest from my second planting as well. Last year was only 6 Roma plants. By the time my garden is done (late oct) I am making pasta sauce, and salsa. I freeze the sauce in gallon ziploc bags. to use all winter and spring. I really want to make more. I ran out recently, of sauce. Won't have any more tomato, until June. Well, enough to make sauce.

[@markrollings1762]

Interesting investigation and well presented …….. again. I wonder whether the Quadgrow system played a part in the initial germination? Looking forward to next week’s enlightenment 👍

[@eliandkate]

Do you mean vitopod? The propagator rather than quadgrow which are the pots things eventually get potted up into as their final home? So the vitopod is actually new for me, only had a it a few years but the first year I sowed early I had a heat mat that I germinated the seeds on. It is much better than the cheap heat mat I used before. Come March it’s not needed, the seed trays just go in a sunbeam in the greenhouse ( I chase sunbeams), but if you want a boost and don’t have a heat mat, try a sunny window sill indoors if you are trying to get a faster germination time. 😃

[@markrollings1762]

Ahhhh ! Thank you for the explanation. Good opportunity to clear the myths. Thanks Eli. Have a good week

[@MrCiaranMc]

I have an advice request. I have an 8 x 8 greenhouse arriving Wednesday. I can orient it east west or north south. Similar to your own it will have two sides blocked by fencing (north and east) other than that it’s quite open. My options: East west with Tomato and pepper plants on the north wall so they grow and fruit towards the middle, or north south with the Tom and peppers on the east wall for the same reason. They’ll get mostly south west sun all afternoon and evening.

[@eliandkate]

Not sure what your advice request is Ciaran but if your asking about greenhouse placement then the best advice I’d give is not to think about only growing any one or two plants, plant for the next 20 years… you’ll change up what you grow numerous times. I’d plan for have sunny spots and shady spots to maximise what you can grow and think about how you can offer shade. If I could change my set up, I’d turn my greenhouse 90 degrees to have one flat side facing the sun… it would be much easier for me to shade the space from the afternoon sun in summer that way and I’d have less problems with sunscald. Of course your decision will be about where you live, what you plan to do with the greenhouse over the years and also sometimes the type of greenhouse can play a part. If it’s not a particularly heavy duty one, you probably also want to provide a bit of protection from the wind.

[@MrCiaranMc]

@@eliandkate thank you! That’s exactly what I was asking, though I now realise I didn’t actually ask! My plan was always to have the flat side facing the sun, and it’s only a change in our furniture plan for the little mini patio beside it away from a corner couch and towards a Bistro set that’s meant turning north south and entering/ exiting directly on to the patio is now an option. It would also allow me to put cold frames on the grass. I think the east west option remains the best thing purely from a growing POV. I’d put main tomato/ pepper plants on the north side and staging for smaller stuff on the south. I’ll get shade blinds fitted on that side .

[@eliandkate]

@MrCiaranMc hurrah!!!!!!!

[@kareninthegarden]

I so wanted to get my tomatoes in now but I'm going to hold off until mid march and Sow straight into the greenhouse. That way I just have the chillies in the house. Garden anxiety is definitely real 😊

[@ClaireRousseau]

Very interesting results! I've tended towards starting early as I'm still new to gardening and I'm just awfully keen! Do you have an idea of what day/night temperatures you want in your greenhouse before starting your peppers and tomatoes? I'd love to experiment with sowing in my unheated greenhouse but as I am in the south of England, I won't have the right growing conditions at the same time as you do.

[@eliandkate]

You would be good to sow in there in March but I wouldn’t move any plants you’ve started early until late April or even may

[@JanRonandArthur]

Here are my thoughts on KZbin gardening shows and when to sow things: maybe I am missing something in the videos or the descriptions, but!! You are sowing tomatoes in March. I need information to compare to, e.g., how many weeks till your last frost date, what are the highs and lows you are experiencing in your greenhouse, how many hours/days of sunlight are you getting, etc…. I know this is a lot of information but it would so be helpful for those of us who are learning our first year in a greenhouse. And I will learn by experimenting, but I am also trying to glean information from other more experienced gardeners. Anyway, this is long!

[@sarabelden7092]

I sow seeds using the winter sown method. So basically little mini unheated greenhouses. These plants always look a little short and squaty next to nursery or store bought plants, but the catch up, they are stronger, they even withstand strong windstorms and hail better. I still buy things from the nursery. Like who can make it through growing season without a trip to a local nursery? If you go, you will come home with something! So it's inevitable. Lol

[@eliandkate]

Nursery trips are the cherry on top of the gardening adventure.

[@borderplotter]

Great video. I've been thinking of planting my tomato seeds this month, but you've given me the confidence to hold off for a few more weeks. One question, though. How do you work round the differences in growing times between different varieties? ie some tomatoes take 75 days from sowing to fruiting, while others are shorter. (i wish seed companies would include this on the packets, too, as it's not always easy to find out.)

[@eliandkate]

Ah so maybe not how you think of it. Those stats are more about letting me know what I CAN grow in my garden. Knowing if I have a long enough season to grow a variety or if my season is too short. If you look through last years videos I did one on choosing varieties and spoke about it

[@borderplotter]

@@eliandkate Thanks, will do. I'm only a few miles down the road from you so it should work for me too.

[@eliandkate]

@@borderplotter I’m guessing in the borders? 😍

[@borderplotter]

@@eliandkate how did you guess 😂

[@annescott6137]

Hi I live just outside of Edinburgh I definitely can't put anything outside until end of May thats our last frost date

[@eliandkate]

for tomatoes and other warm crops I'd say wait till maybe first week of June even (although last year was glorious) - you're not far from me :D

[@KathleenMoran-x4e]

as your basil comes up will you thin it out?

[@eliandkate]

Most likely…. I only need a certain amount

[@elainemcgran8828]

I'm trying to get quadgrows, but every were are sold out or don't deliver to Ireland

[@eliandkate]

Not even Greenhouse Sensations themselves? 😭

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

12:30 commenting whilst watching… the earlier sown ones look less stocky, even at the same height in late June, than the later sown ones. Interesting… watching in now 😊

[@eliandkate]

😁😁😁😁 keep watching

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

@@eliandkate I did! Loved it. I’ve commented again lower down but just felt compelled to comment at that point. ❤️❤️

[@roshammann3611]

You should always consider your last frost date when you are planting seeds. There is no point starting them in January or February if you can't plant them out until June.

[@eliandkate]

And for some of us, the last frost date is still months away from it being warm enough for tomatoes

[@janetrush8340]

How cold does it get at night in your greenhouse in March? Thank you for this video. I have a unheated greenhouse and did not think it would be possible to start seeds in there. I am in the US in what we call zone 7.

[@eliandkate]

I suppose it really depends on what the temps, wind, rain are like that year. Last year the coldest night in there was 4.6c and the highest was 23c but the general average was usually around 6c at night and 14c during the day. Thats why I mentioned it was ok to start the seeds going in there and those little seedlings would be fine but it’s too cold still to put larger plants out there. The larger the plants the more they plant is sensitive to their environment and the more likely they will become stressed.

[@janetrush8340]

@@eliandkate Thank you for making your audio so clear and the volume constant. I am hearing impaired and so far every video has been so easy to follow. The information is so valuable to me and finding you has been a blessing.

[@eliandkate]

@janetrush8340 fingers crossed Janet. They won’t always have lovely audio…. It’s something you have to learn about over time and I’m at the mercy of the outdoors but I’m really trying 🥰🥰🥰

[@mags9536]

I put myself under pressure trying to make sure I have something growing. So worried everything will fail 😬 neither my garlic or onions came up this year and I worry everything else will fail

[@eliandkate]

Well the good news mags is that there’s still time for onions 👏👏👏👏👏 and a whole heap beside. My favourite phrase I heard was about it’s not you fault, cause after all… those seedlings had 2 choices!!!!!

[@cpoco]

I'm too stubborn to simply do what others say... I like to know why I should do things that way. Apple trees are a good example... so many people simply say "you can't grow apples from seeds"... of course what they mean is the apples that come from those trees won't produce predictable fruit/flavour. I however quite like sour apples so the big "threat" of them ending up as crab apples is actually a huge plus for me... either way I'm just curious to see what I end up with and if I end up with a totally new breed that is amazing tasting... I'm pretty sure I can come up with a name for it :D

[@eliandkate]

ha ha ha I wouldn't expect anything less from you Chris :D

[@Ligerpride]

What do you use to keep your greenhouse glass so clear?

[@eliandkate]

Just elbow grease 😁 I make sure to clean it whenever it’s starts to get dirty

[@Ligerpride]

@@eliandkate it looks great.

[@inelouw]

As an example of how "everyone's situation is different", even if literally every video was telling me to start my seeds indoors, I can't. I have three cats and every space that I can put up pots or seed trays is a place they can reach and knock things to the ground. 🤣 Believe me, I've tried! RIP, indoor herb garden. So I only start my seeds outside, which changes the timing of my seed starting significantly.

[@eliandkate]

oh yes! I know the woe of cats. one of mine eats my tulips outdoors too! She's obsessed with the tulips????

[@inelouw]

@@eliandkate 🤣🤣🤣 I can't even let one of mine outside because she chews on the GARLIC. I always thought cats hated garlic, and it's toxic to them. Such a hassle to keep her away!

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂 they are a nightmare

[@bwolf0003]

I may not get any seeds sow until April. So I may just buy my plants this year. Who know?!

[@Swrqltr]

Tell me about it a neighbors yard 2 houses over is stunning mine not so much

[@eliandkate]

Yeah we have big differences between our garden and one a few streets away

[@srhowen]

I am going to copy you but I live along the road 😂❤

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂 Ah but do you?

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

When I get my garden, I’ll be very disappointed if Kate isn’t in the background, working away. 😉👍❤️

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂😂