From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dodge city

I've looked at my zone and zipcode here in KS to see when I start my tomatoes and it's saying that I should start 2-18-2017 which is a day before my 25th birthday lol. And when does everyone else start??

1/7/2017 10:55:08 AM

Wixom MI.

for eating tomatoes you can plant them 6-8 weeks before your last frost date in your area, but i wouldn't plant competition tomatoes any more than 3-4 weeks before last frost. i like no more than 2-3 true leaves on my plants when i put them in the ground.I plan on trying to plant my last seeds here in Michigan around june 1-15 directly into the ground three weeks after our last frost.

1/7/2017 12:52:15 PM

Wixom MI.

i suggest trying to plant some early and some later. i believe growing your small plants outdoors will give you a stronger plant with a better root system when you are setting your tomatoes on the plants.

1/7/2017 1:00:19 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I have heard a few of the details for the MInnesota Tomato Challenge at Gale Woods Farm weigh-off Oct 7th.This is going to affect the planting dates for my summer tomatoes. Most growers now...are planting early and submitting their entry to the GPC as early tomato entries. It is much easier to grow big tomatoes if you are flexible in your harvesting time frame. To grow for a specific weigh-off is much more difficult. From what I know so far....Minnesota growers might want to plan for the later harvest.

1/7/2017 4:14:57 PM

Wixom MI.

can people from other states get in on this ???

1/7/2017 10:27:21 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

I started mine too early last year, March 1st. Didn't get mine into the ground until the end of April. No sense in being in a pot that long. This year I will start them probably later into April and into the garden early May. Following some of the advice of Wixom Chris in putting smaller plants in the ground soon after germinating but after frost dates. That's the plan anyway. Could change. Although it's risky, if we have a warm sunny early Spring I may get the itch to get them in the ground earlier just because I can't wait!

1/8/2017 3:54:09 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

wixom....people from other states can get in on this..but they have to be willing to weigh the tomato at Gale Woods Farm. In the next couple of weeks, I will be meeting with Tom McDowel of the UMGPG and get the complete details.

1/8/2017 6:02:48 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Bob we are on the same page, I emailed Tom yesterday about the MN Challenge. It is very hard to get a big tomato at a certain date. You can plant a lot of tomato plants and set fruit later on some or you can do like Chris said stager your starting of plants. But those started later will grow faster because up here the soil will be much warmer than those planted earlier. Once harvested they will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. In 2014 I planted 12 plants, pulled 2 and no mega blooms on several others. Had a six week window with tomatoes the biggest were the earliest. Ran into frosty nights for the October weigh-offs.

1/8/2017 10:32:19 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

It wouldn't be a challenge if it were easy. I tried last year to not terminate new growth after first set and later set a higher tomato for the weigh-offs. The cooler September temps really slowed down the growth and time for maturing. I have a few ideas to try this summer to deal with the colder temp...longer maturity time. As far as growers from other states...I have already heard of one wisconsin grower that is thinking about showing the growers from minnesota how it is done. I think it could be a fun challenge.

1/8/2017 11:21:26 AM

Wixom MI.

well if my 10 pounder comes in at that time, i may have to make the drive, 50/50 chance !!! LOL.... (o:

1/8/2017 3:04:44 PM

Central NY

I'm starting April 24th and may fouth be with you...10lbs or bust

1/8/2017 3:09:31 PM

Mn

I'm not planting any this year - I just plan on sneaking over to bnots or bills around midnight and "borrowing" one of theirs - that's my advice giantlover, find growers that are better than you in your area and grab one of theirs when they ain't looking - much cheaper and way less stressful too

1/8/2017 7:29:32 PM

Hamilton Nj

i always start mine too early around march 1st. lol im gone try to wait till april first this year otherwise too many fungi nat in my bedroom pizza

1/8/2017 7:49:38 PM

Wixom MI.

Ahhh !!! Now i see how mr.3 pounder grew his 5 pounders last year!!! LOL.. (O:

1/9/2017 12:16:12 PM