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| The plastic containers cherry tomatoes come in are a good place to start seeds |
But then those little seedlings start to get a bit bigger and start crowding each other and then they need larger pots. So you space the Gaillardia seedlings pictured above out 3 or 4 to a pot and realize, you've got 20 plants here!!
And what about all those tomatoes you just couldn't resist planting? I was gifted with a number of new varieties this year and couldn't resist trying out almost a dozen different types.
Initially the plastic cookie container held them quite well. But now they're climbing out the sides. I've already planted out 22 tomato plants into separate pots and I've just about run out of pots. Never mind space. And they're going to keep growing. Looks like the piano room is going to look like a jungle again this year despite my best intentions.
If you're wondering what the heck I'm going to do with all these plants don't worry. I'm not that crazy that I would try planting these all out in my own garden. The Canoe Cove Plant Sale is coming up on May 19 and what I don't use will be donated to the sale. Hope everyone likes tomatoes.
23 comments:
Hi Marguerite, Your are off to a great start with your seeds. Just think of the tomatoes you and the lucky person/s who buy your seedlings at the Canoe Cove plant sale will enjoy.
My seedlings are driving me nuts too! I am now in the process of hardening them off which involves toting them outdoors then back indoors, then back out again, and there are so many and the little pots tip over and ..... sigh.
Your tomatoes look so eager to get out of the plastic container and into real dirt!
Your seedlings look great. I think tomatoes are difficult to grow from seed so well done! I always plant too many seeds since I figure not all of them will germinate.
I admire your patience with seedlings Marguerite .. I tried a few times but I had to admit I am NOT a seedling gardener .. that I leave up to the pros like you girl !
Mail me some tomatoes ??? LOL home grown are the BEST!
Joy
Glad you have successes with the seeds, and that there is a place to offer those you don't use. I gave away a lot of tomato seedlings to neighbors after winning that contest.
Ha, ha! I thought I read on your blog that you weren't going to do that this year......it's just too darn easy if you're a plant fan, isn't it!
I spent all day yesterday potting up tomato seedlings, and grafting tomatoes too! If I never see another tomato...actually, I'm not done potting up...so I'm procrastinating heading back into the greenhouse by reading blogs ;) It is very difficult resisting the urge to plant too many. I'm sure you'll find lots of homes for your extras, we never have trouble unloading extra seedlings!
We all do the same thing every year. This year I looked at my stake markers from last year and decided I planted them to early last year so I'm going to wait till the middle of May for some of our vegetables. I found my hard work wasn't really worth the payoff because my plants where so spindly looking. I have planted my hot peppers, pumpkins and moon flowers because they take so long to get big that it is worth the head start for these plants.
I think the plant sale is a wonderful idea for people to enjoy buying the plants because honestly a lot of people just don't have the space to start seedlings. I just enjoy the results of seeing a little seed grow and produce our food for the Summer and Winter harvest.
Your seedlings look nice and healthy. It still amazes me how something so little and fragile looking ends up bearing fruit...and veggies! Hope you have better luck with your tomatoes this year!!
Your seedlings look so healthy! And it is great that you will have extra for your sale. I always plant lots of tomatoes, but I never regret it. I love seeing things sprout and grow...
I know how easy it is to start more than you can use. I'm giving my extras too my daughter.
I really hope I get tomatoes this year. Last year was a complete bust with the blight but I keep hearing it will be a hot dry summer so should be perfect conditions.
I haven't gotten to that part yet but I know exactly what you mean. In the constant back and forth some inevitably get damaged which is always a pain too.
Isn't it funny, tomatoes are very easy for me but other plants I can't get the hang of. I'm trying onions yet again but who knows if it will work as onions seem to be the bane of my existance.
Joy, it's the very fact that I'm not patient that I have seedlings! I just can't wait to get outdoors so I start plants inside to tide me over. Someone recently told me you can mail seedlings but I've never tried. Not sure how that would work but if I find out maybe you will get some in the mail.
It's a good thing there's a handy beneficiary or I have no idea what I would do with the surplus. I hate throwing out good plants.
you got me! I swore I wouldn't plant too early or too much but obviously my promises hold no water at all.
Clare, I've got a number of plants to pot up yet and I'm avoiding it too. It's so easy to forget how much work this is. I forgot you were grafting this year, that will be interesting to see how that works. Can't wait for your post.
You planted pumpkin already? I better get on that! I was holding off on pumpkin, cucumber and zuchini seeds because I thought they would be faster than the others. I brought a few seedlings to the sale last year and they got snapped up so I think you're right, many people like the seedlings but don't have space or equipment to do their own.
It really is a miracle. Tiny tiny little seeds and just a little water and warmth and suddenly WOW. It's that joy that keeps me coming back each year.
As hubby says, you can never have too many tomatoes. Even if we can't eat them all I have hungry co-workers who love my fresh tomatoes!
I wish I could pass some of these plants on to my mom. She's cutting back this year as it's so much work for her but we live too far away.
I have to force myself to thin my sprouts!! just can't bring myself to happily do it...I froze all my basil last yr....
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