Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Sunday, May 9. 2010

Tomato Warning for Northeast Gardeners

Hey, Northeast gardeners. If you have been too eager to get your tomatoes, etc. in the ground, watch out.


Freezing temps predicted tonight and tomorrow night. Cover them with something. Plastic milk cans or sheets of plastic or whatever. Global cooling, ya know.


As a rational skeptic on the subject, I have fortunately not planted any tomatoes or cucumbers or peppers yet. The guaranteed safe date for putting out uncovered tender plants in New England has been May 31 for over 200 years, and it still is. That is peer-reviewed data: My Mom says it, and my Grandpa said it.

Posted by Bird Dog at 18:31 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0)

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We have snow flurries since yesterday and it will be very cold the next few nights in northern NY. Tomatoes are snug under the lamps, and while cabbage is tough I had misgivings about planting the field. Glad I waited.

Field corn was planted early since we had such good weather in April, I think it will bounce back. It sure looked miserable and wilted this morning. Will see if the soil freezes deep enough to kill the growing points.

I agree, never put tomatoes out until June 1 and wait another week to set out peppers.
#1 CT on 2010-05-09 19:54 (Reply)
Thanks, BD. I think we all long for the taste of garden-fresh produce, but May 15 - 31 is truly the safe zone. I have some seedlings I place outside dueing the day to "harden" off, but it's blinking cold tonight. They are sitting on the inside window sill until we see how tomorrow goes. Those not transportable get covered by paper sacks during the night and newspaper goes over the newbies yet unsprouted. Lots of manhours, but well worth the effort.
#2 jma on 2010-05-09 23:30 (Reply)
Burpee had the nerve to send me tomato and pepper (!) plants last week. They are under grow lights in the basement for at least another 10-14 days here in greater Boston.
#3 Cathy J on 2010-05-10 10:37 (Reply)
One year I kept tomato plants alive deep into November by running a sprinkler on them at night. I was astonished at how well it worked. But I had good drainage too.
#4 feeblemind on 2010-05-10 11:43 (Reply)
I think I'm going to have to pull up the Roma I planted. The rest seem to hanging tough over this crazy weekend.
#5 NJSoldier on 2010-05-10 13:24 (Reply)
This year, Bird Dog, why not try Big Beef, which is a little earlier than many beefsteaks. Sun Gold is a good cherry. You might even take a fling with an heirloom or two: Pruden's Purple, Chianti Rose, Black Krim, Gary 'O Sena, etc. I'm trying out about three dozen varieties this year. I'll let you know how it goes.

Next year, you might take seeds of less-common varieties to your favorite nursery and as for first dibs on plants. Check out the Territorial Seed catalog (Northwest), Johnny's or Pinetree for choices. Or check Tatiana's TomatoBase for early choices. Her favorite extra-early tomato is Stupice. Opinions vary on its fresh flavor, but said to be magnificent cooked, juiced or dried. Bloody Butcher is similar but darker red.
#6 KarenT on 2010-05-10 13:52 (Reply)
Wow, I forgot about these late dates. Down here in Georgia, it is generally safe to plant after Good Friday. I planted late and my totatos squash are still over a foot tall.
#7 Moose (Link) on 2010-05-10 23:07 (Reply)

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