Starting Tomatoes and Peppers from seed - March 2015

[@hfd35]

Texas misses you Donald.

[@ikashibimauler]

I think you will really like the cherokee purple. I grew them last year and they made it into my permanent group of plants to grow each year.

[@webcajun]

I’ve grown them before and really like em. They have that real tomato flavor I remember growing up with…..Donald

[@meehan302]

I agree the Tomatoes should be up first. We'll wait and see. Good to see you relaxed and enjoying your seed growing.

[@webcajun]

The tomatoes are up (about an inch tall) but no sign of the peppers. If the temps warm up some I'd say another week or so.....Donald

[@arkansastrash320]

I started my tomatoes and peppers on 2-28 and now they are so big that heat mat is a wonderfull thing its made them grow so fast but the peppers still took a week to come.But before it was close to 2 weeks before they would sprout.I like the way you start them dry and water soaks up into them all slow and gentle.I planted Delicious ,early girl rutgers and beefsteak and a few celibirty this year.Jalapeno and cayenne.Thanks paul

[@webcajun]

The heat mat does the trick alright.....Donald

[@SFHcrew]

Oh man I wish I had your climate.. Too much snow here still. Great videos - Greetings from Norway

[@webcajun]

+SFHcrew We’ve had a very mild winter this year so I’m transplanting a little earlier this season. Already have tomato plants in the raised beds…..Donald

[@auntnut2011]

Your always an inspiration for me to get planting the seedlings! Peas, rhubarb, chives and asparagus are peeking out here in the Pacific Northwest. Happy Gardening.

[@webcajun]

It won't be long and it'll be time to start transplanting.....Donald

[@raymondsherrell5585]

Love all your videos such a great gardener keep up the good work.

[@webcajun]

Thanks, glad you enjoy.....Donald

[@chrisfry7915]

I am glad to see some grass for a change. Hope your plants are heavy producers. I got stakes for the garden yesterday and the guy laughed, but I got hardwood for free and not pine that breaks off from huge tomato plants. Trying some snake beans this spring. Hope the cat behaves. He is cute and happy.

[@webcajun]

I’ve been using iron T-post to support my tomatoes and pole beans. They’ll last a lifetime…..Donald

[@chrisfry7915]

That's a good idea. I had to use my iron posts for my firewood, so i make do. Got a few 12 footers for the beans. I really enjoy your videos. Chris

[@CYCLONE1BREEZE]

March 05, 2015 I put my tomatoes and zucchini seeds in peat containers I bought on sale last year. They had a close out so I bought all they had which was almost two hundred and have given many to my friends who like me no longer drive, but I have a driver so I try to get things for others who still love to grow their own produce....... There is nothing any better than home grown greens; yellow squash, and fresh tomatoes.

[@webcajun]

I love fresh vegetables so much I can see myself gardening in a 5 gal bucket when I can’t get around anymore. :-) ……Donald

[@toddbz]

I put a piece of plastic wrap loosely over the top of the containers and it holds in the heat and doesn't let the soil dry out on the top. Still takes about 8 days for a pepper to sprout

[@webcajun]

I have plastic covers for the trays but I didn't use them this year. I agree, it does help holding the moisture and heat in.....Donald

[@C3Voyage]

Getting the season started. Good deal. I'll take the tomato bet. Probably all will be up before the first pepper shows itself 2 or 3 days later! Looking forward to your season buddy.

[@webcajun]

My shop is unheated so it takes a lot longer for either to come up. Had I started these in the house where it’s warm they’d have come up a lot sooner……Donald

[@huntingairrifle68]

good evening sir, I also started with the seeds, but use a plastic cup to facilitate transplant!

[@webcajun]

There are so many ways of doing this, it hard to go wrong…..Donald

[@lsuman38]

My outside cats love my raised beds

[@webcajun]

I can't go anywhere in the yard without this one following me.....Donald

[@318SouthernCalifornia]

I'm growing some cherry tomatoes, chili peppers and Swiss chard out here in the desert. Wish I coil be on the east coast were you don't have to deal with 110 degree heat lol.

[@webcajun]

In the summer we'll stay mostly in the 90s but will get a few 100+ degree days. Lots of humidity too.....Donald

[@318SouthernCalifornia]

Our average humidity in the summer is 7% in the day and 15% at night. Very tough on plants.

[@jpbumgardner1942]

Donald, could you please comment on how to avoid "leggy" tomato stems when planting from seed. Its a real problem for me when trying to start toms from seed early. Thanks and look forward to every new video.

[@Budro4764]

Only one of each tomato? You usually plant more than that. Ben might make it down here to vist Missy and I. Eat a good meal and tour my greenhouse. He's gonna head back with some fine tomato plants. Take care Donald !!!

[@webcajun]

One of each to start with, will add more as the season progresses. Ben is good people, yall have a good time......Donald

[@Budro4764]

Yes he is. We made friends at the get together. Everyone that attends those are very good people.!!!

[@nightcro4]

Donald, First off - I've watched you for a year or so - my inspiration to start gardening. My question to you is this - Have you ever tried to plant peppers direct in the garden? I'm in NW Arkansas and hopefully we're done with this snow / ice. This weekend I went ahead and put 4 different types of peppers in about 40' of row. Have you ever had any luck doing this? Thanks! - Jamie

[@webcajun]

Hey Jamie ... The problem with doing that at this time of the year is the soil temp is still way too cold for them to germinate, even down here in Louisiana. It would also take a lot more seeds which can be expensive. I would start them inside (under a shop light) and you'll have much better luck…..Donald

[@broadwayFan28]

Donald I see that you are just now starting the tomatoes but your calendar says to start planting tomatoes next week in your area. Do you like late transplants or is this a "second wave" of tomatoes. With the cold this winter maybe we should plant later? What do you think?

[@webcajun]

The calendar is only a guide, we have to take into account the weather. March 15th is our last “average” frost date meaning it varies from year to year. I always say “I’d rather plant 2 weeks after my neighbor than have to replant with him”. The old folks say to never plant your tomatoes until after Easter……Donald

[@keyplayr61greenhousehydrop14]

Yeah, time to get em going, ain't, Donald! Spring is around the corner, Thank God! BTW, a wet toothpick works really good for grabbing that 1 seed ; )

[@webcajun]

Thanks for the tip. The hot weather will be here before we know it.....Donald

[@LSUTigerMom]

Have the tomatoes sprouted that you planted in February in the peat pots?

[@LCJfarms]

kool

[@webcajun]

Thanks....Donald

[@memberson]

Do you have to have the matt ?

[@webcajun]

If you have a nice, warm spot inside then no, if not it does help…..Donald

[@Wosiewose]

Donald, will you be growing these plants in the raised bed or out in the big garden?

[@webcajun]

They'll be going in the raised bed. Someone on the forum is sending some "Bella Rosa" tomato seeds so I'll be giving those a try also.....Donald

[@brianmef71]

What do you think of the "Big Beef" tomato variety? Have you ever planted them? I am planting them this year and hope for good results. Thanks. :)

[@webcajun]

Hey Brian … Big Beef is a variety that’s mentioned on the forum, folks like em. I’ve planted many different varieties over the years and could almost guarantee I’ve planted them too. These days, taste is what I look for when choosing just about any variety of vegetable. For my soil conditions, Cherokee Purple is ranking pretty high on the list. Let us know what you think of the Big Beef once they start producing…..Donald

[@broadwayFan28]

I have been hearing a lot about Big Beef too.

[@mathewwhitford8544]

How deep should the peppers be planted? One inch would you say?

[@webcajun]

I wouldn't recommend any deeper than about 1/4 inch. Pepper seeds aren't very big......Donald

[@mathewwhitford8544]

Thanks

[@1949RL]

Do you have good luck with the Cherokee Purple? Mine are always stingy but very tasty.

[@webcajun]

They don't produce a ton of tomatoes but a lot more than Brandywine. Last year I did a side by side taste test and I couldn't tell the difference so no more Brandywine for me......Donald

[@skreck1]

What is that heat pad you spoke of

[@webcajun]

Google "seedling heat mats". They claim to raise the soil temp 10-12 degrees to help germination.....Donald

[@DesertDigger1]

I know what Cat wants to do.

[@webcajun]

:-) .....Donald

[@coIvoIkov]

She was just trying to help a little bit. A bit of organic fertilizer always helps.

[@h7oslo]

Low audio track, Don... If you were to lick that pencil lead with your tongue, you could easily pick up just one tomato seed at a time and place it in the dibble hole by spinning the pencil in your fingers. Works dandy! I do it on the smallest of seeds, with Xcellent results! We got Brandywine sprouting, will do Beefsteak in two weeks, got some pink ones out of Tennessee to start next. Best, rc

[@webcajun]

Thanks for tip rc. Most of the tomatoes are up (about an inch tall) and looking pretty good. Being so cold in the shop the peppers have a ways to go yet.....Donald