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Re: When to plant

To Holly--
I, too, live in Texas and will be planting my tomato, pepper and eggplant
seeds within ten days.  Texas is a big state with three USDA climate zones
within it.  I'm in Zone 9b, along the Gulf of Mexico where our last
frost-free date is about March 5.  I have grown my own tomato and pepper
transplants from seed for the last five years and have learned a couple of
things about growing and planting tomato seedlings.
1.  The youngest plants do the best when transplanted into the garden.  The
best transplant should never have its growth checked.
2.  Always plant with protection--walls of water, a cage wrapped in
spun-polyester row covering or a plastic water or milk jug.  Not only is
cold a problem, but wind will stress a new transplant.
3.  I count back six weeks from when I want to set out tomatoes and add 5
days for germination.  In my case, Jan. 15 is the date I seed, because I
always set out plants on March 1st.
4.  Provide bottom heat to seed flats to insure rapid and even germination.
I paid $9 for a heating cable from Park Seed Company and have used it for years.
5.  After seeds are up, remove bottom heat and provide 16 hours of light
daily.  I use two four-foot long fluorescent tubes in a shop light fixture.
One bulb is a regular one, the other is an aquarium bulb that has
red-spectrum light.  Flats should be positioned within three inches of the
light source. Move up the light as plants grow taller--always positioning
the light to within three inches of plant tops.
6.  After seedlings have put out two sets of true leaves, pot them up to
individual 2-3" pots or into 6-packs.  Decrease light to 14 hours daily.
7.  If seedlings grow out of their 2-3 inch pots and it's still too cold
outdoors, repot into 6-inch containers.  NEVER let the growth process stop.
Hope this helps.
Doreen Howard

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