[Market-farming] planting out tomatoes

breck bcarden at breckinridgegroup.com
Fri May 8 09:39:40 EDT 2009


Hey there Allan,
Same problem, but my nighttimes have been warmer. I set out some, but now am
wishing I had set out more. I lost some handling, but those that weren't
injured are doing fine. Rain and more rain in the forecast; don't know when
I can get more in the ground. Even though I have been improving the tilth of
my terrible heavy clay soil it still will take about a week to dry out.

I would plant now if you can and avoid repotting. If you are really worried
about the cool nighttimes you might put row covers on (if feasible).

Good luck to you,

Farmer Breck 
Breck Carden
Carden's Garden
Crestwood, KY 40014
breck at breckcarden.com
www.breckcarden.com
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Allan
Balliett
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 8:07 AM
To: Market Farming
Subject: [Market-farming] planting out tomatoes

My heirloom tomatoes in 3 inch pots in the unheated hoophouse took on 
a great growth spurt in the past two weeks. They've gone from 10 
inches tall to probably 36 inches tall without it really dawning on 
me what was going on. There are about 30 flats of them and, yes, they 
are side-by-side. Yesterday, a bunch of them 'collapsed' and it 
became very evident that I had to either repot them or put them out.

They are VERY tender/delicate in the stem. I leave my tunnel doors 
open but to not have fans to agitate the plants. They are VERY floppy

I'm thinking of running right outside with them and planting then in 
shallow trenches.

I'm on the east coast and have constant rain for about a week. Highs 
around 80, lows above 45.

The question: In your experience, do you think I'd really be setting 
back my tomato harvest (in volume) if I rush these plants into the 
field without any sort of hardening off?

I don't think it's much, if any, colder outside at night than it is 
in the house but, yes, the plants are 'weak.' I'm not sure what 
hardening off means in this case.

I'd appreciate hearing your suggestions and also in hearing what you 
are using to fertilize your tomatoes.

These are brandywines and arkansas travelers and cherokees.

Thanks

-Allan
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