Starting Your Tomato Seeds - March 2010 - Growing a Vegetable Garden

[mogges1]

OK now can you do a soil ph and how you prepare you soil

[webcajun]

@mogges1 ... PH is not a problem here. Plenty vids on how I work my soil, check em out......Donald

[thomasrj42]

Thanks for all the videos. I just started my garden this year and have learned a lot from you. If I had known about your vids before I planted, my garden would have been even better than it was. It still turned out good and I can't wait for next spring to start again.

[webcajun]

@thomasrj42 ... Glad everything turned out well for you. After a couple of seasons you'll be a pro......Donald

[jamisonbrooks]

Love all your videos how do you make your starter mixe

[webcajun]

@jamisonbrooks ... My favorite is 2/3 compost, 1/3 worm castings. All compost also works very well. I like adding perlite to keep the mix from compacting......Donald

[qusaisaher]

if i worked at this speed i will kill my self , specially when you have 400 tomatoes seed to plant

[swanz199]

Another great video. Thanks! I experimented this year with mixing half promix potting soil and half compost. They seem to like it.  We just had a cold snap

but fortunately stayed above freezing.

[webcajun]

@swanz199 ...This year I mostly used my compost and worm castings. Worked pretty well......Donald

[satellitetune]

Very nice vidio awesome

[webcajun]

@satellitetune ...Thanks.......Donald

[RodrigorReyes123]

when should i transplant my tomatoes? I still think mine are to small for transplanting but i'm not sure

[RodrigorReyes123]

My tomato seedlings seemed to stop growing they have their first set of true leaves but they seem to be growing way to slow is that normal?

[webcajun]

@RodrigorReyes123 ...Tomatoes are usually ready to transplant in 6-8 weeks......Donald

[MrArtathart]

I have the wire shelf and clear plastic, But after I complete that...Do I still need to put it out in the sun? Couldnt I rig a heat amp like you use for baby chicks? Next, I have the jiffy posts just like you use. The 3 inch ones.....But where did you get those black plastic trays to hold the water? Any thoughts on what I could use or substatute it with??

[webcajun]

@MrArtathart ...Sunlight would be my first choice but folks grow great seedlings under a light as well. The trays (I call flats) can be found at any garden center or big box hardware. I've seen people use baking pans to start their seedlings in. Really anything that will not leak when you water......Donald

[bhauk]

everytime i try to grow tomatoes from seed, they come up grow about 3 inches tall and skinny then fall over and die. What am i doing wrong?

[webcajun]

@bhauk ...Not giving them enough light.....Donald

[bhauk]

everytime i try to grow tomatoes from sed, they come up grow about 3 inches tall and skinny then fall over and die. What am i doing wrong?

[punkybill]

Thanx very much for the useful tips, and keep posting videos like this for those of us with not so green thumbs :') This will be the first time that I have ever harvested vegies from seeds I have started. I have always overwatered them early on. Thanx again, Ed

[webcajun]

@punkybill ...I've also overwatered lots of little seedlings in the past and it will probably happen again from time to time. The weight of the cup tells you a lot about how much to water.......Donald

[bostoncompasslady]

Great idea about filling halfway...just in time for my tom seeds!! also love the

mini green house, thanks and keep these videos comin' Bonnie

[webcajun]

@bostoncompasslady ...I'm hooked on that method works really, really well.  Glad you enjoy and your welcome.....Donald

[MMcAllister7801]

Thank you! Great video's, not too much talking, no irritating music.....just very helpful information.

[webcajun]

@MMcAllister7801 ...Glad you enjoyed......Donald

[lol1lady916]

whats a frost?

[minibullterriers]

I grew some black krim tomatoes last year and man did they look gross but they were great.My old hillbilly mom would`nt try them.I bet if I blindfolded her for a taste test she would never know.Keep the vids. coming.I own 5 ac. but 4 ac. are hilly so I am limited to my garden size.Thanks SPAGHETTIEDDIE in CINCINNATI.

[webcajun]

@minibullterriers ... grew some Cherokee Purple for the first time. Ate my first one yesterday and boy was it good. I think I'm going to grow some more next year........Donald

[ingesumadre]

brilliant, i started to plant tomato seeds but after transplant to a deeper soil they dry, ill try these metod.

[webcajun]

@ingesumadre ... IMHO the less you dig up and replant the better..... Donald

[kevinw3891]

Hey Donald, I noticed on a lot of my tomatoes and bell peppers that they have blossom end rot. What would you recommend for this frustrating problem?

[webcajun]

@kevinw3891 ... Control of blossom end rot is dependent upon maintaining adequate supplies of moisture and calcium to the developing fruits. Some use a little Epson Salt around the plants which allows them to take up the needed calcium. I've alos heard that fertilizing too much can cause the plants to not take up enough calcium..... Donald

[marshallhenderson81]

I can vouche for this method. I originally got it from Ray as well, however after trying it my results are great! Definatly supports massive rooting of the species. As soon as they pop up spray with compost tea imo

[webcajun]

@marshallhenderson81 ... got about a doz. more started that way are they are doing real well....... Donald

[Nubster12]

Love the videos. I am watching all of them soaking up as much of your great info as I can. This year will be my very first garden...very exciting. Planning on about 15-20 tomato plants so I have tons of fresh and plenty for canning salsa and sauces. Most of mine are Brandywine (from seed)...could not find Cherokee Purple but I will have seeds for next year for sure.

[webcajun]

@Nubster12 ... this is my first year with Cherokee Purple. Someone, who watches the videos, sent some seed this spring and I'm giving them a try....... Donald

[Nubster12]

@Nubster12

Good luck with them and please post something about how they turn out. I am interested in trying them because from what I have read on the net they are supposed to be a delicious heirloom variety. That is the reason I went with a bunch of Brandywines.

[spainmd]

Donald, when transplanting, remove as much of the jiffy pot as possible right? Or can you just transplant and bury the jiffy pots?

Thanks again for a great video

[webcajun]

@spainmd ... IMHO whenever possible remove as much of it as you can....... Donald

[Faygo069]

i was just wondering why you fill the soil halfway at the beginning?

[webcajun]

@Faygo069 ... cause when you finish filling the pot, roots form along the stem...... Donald

[logos2600]

@Faygo069 Just what webcajun said - tomatoes usually get leggy and tall when starting them in cells or pots, even under perfect conditions. So this way works around that. Tomatoes are capable of growing roots from the stem where there are hairs.

[jackburton2009]

What light source do you use for seedlings, you keep them outside?

[webcajun]

@jackburton2009 ... I use the best light there is, sunshine. I grow my seedlings outside.....  Donald

[webcajun]

@taylormccoy ... started some Cherokee Purple, Coustralee and Creole........ Donald

[webcajun]

@rimma4 ... This is now my favoite method of starting them. Glad you enjoyed the vid........ Donald

[parthippielilredneck]

I love watching your videos!You have a wonderful calming effect and you always make me smile.I have learned alot from you,and I now have 25 cherry tomato plants,25 basil plants,25 cucumber plants and 25 oregano plants all started from seed.I will be planting onions soon.Thanks so much for your videos. I stay home with the baby and when I don't have anyone to ask 'how do I plant this' or 'what the heck do I do now' I always come here and watch you..Thanks!

[webcajun]

@parthippielilredneck ... most folks think that starting seeds is just too hard but when they give it try they see just how easy it can be. Keep it simply and you'll do just fine. Glad you enjoy the videos and thanks for the kind words........ Donald

[spainmd]

Donald, when transplanting peat pots into the garden - I have been told i should tear the bottoms of the the pots to help roots grow, have you any experience of advice with this? Thank you

[webcajun]

@spainmd ... when ever possilbe take as much of the peat pot off as you can without disturbing the roots too much......... Donald

[sadia102]

I didn't have a lot of success with any of the heat lovers this year. When Spring comes round in September in Oz I'm gonna try this. Thanks Donald. I can watch you planting and growing through our Winter.

[webcajun]

@sadia102 ... this is by far my favorite method of starting tomatoes. They seem to grow so much healthier. Good luck with yours............. Donald

[QuickGardens]

Watching you has helped me not to be in such a hurry. I enjoy you videos.

[webcajun]

@QuickGardens ... glad they are helpful ....... Donald

[saphiablue]

Thank you for the video as a knew gardener here in Aotearoa (New Zealnd), we are still in summer and have had some tropical weather during it. I Planted a variety of tomatoes Acid free, Mortgage lifter, Principe borghese, Russian red, silvery tree and Delicious, and with some pleasing results.  Next summer I will plant the same varieties, but in a different location. Judy

[webcajun]

@saphiablue Hey Judy ... I like moving mine around from one year to the next too. Have a lot fewer problems doing that......... Donald

[flatheadcat4u]

good job again ill be putting my plants in walls of water and ill still plant more tomatos in may just for the guys at work and the chickens

[webcajun]

@flatheadcat4u ... my plan is to start some about once a month through the summer......... Donald

[edbogus]

Another informative and interesting video! I especially like your mini greenhouse! Something everyone can use to start their seedlings! I look forward to another great video season from you Donald! -"Farmer" George from Rye, NY

[webcajun]

@edbogus Hey George ... the mini greenhouse works real well and cheap to put together. Hope you have a good year too........ Donald

[crewlla]

its so nice to see you again. happy gardening.

[webcajun]

@crewlla ... it's nice to be out and working in the garden. Hope you have a good year too......... Donald

[YourGardenShow]

It is always exciting to start the tomato seeds. Can't wait for a summer full of fresh, homegrown tomatoes!

[webcajun]

@YourGardenShow ... the ones I planted in the video will be going in the garden in 2-3 weeks. Cut grass today and noticed quite a few trees starting the bud. Spring has arrived........ Donald

[easein]

So glad you're back. It's been a long cold winter without you.

If you're taking requests, I'd love to see a demo on canning corn. ;) Nonetheless, can't wait to see your garden grow. THX

[webcajun]

@easein ... have just planted my sweet corn and hopefully will be canning some this year......... Donald

[ransom47]

Great video.  Thank you for sharring and keep the videos coming.

Ransom

[webcajun]

@ransom47 ... thanks and I'll try....... Donald

[ransom47]

Great video, thanks for sharring the info.

Ransom

[newnappydew]

Thanks for that vid, great info!

[webcajun]

You're welcome......... Donald

[TheNewUpsetters]

Great video!

[webcajun]

Thanks........  Donald

[gardenkids]

can u start your seeds indoors about 2 weeks before your last frost

[webcajun]

Usually start my seedlings 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Here in Zone 8 tomatoes aren't transplanted until after Easter.......... Donald

[gardenkids]

i think its so cool how u do things now it will be easier to start my tomato plants alot earlier thanks take care

[webcajun]

You'll be surprised just how easy this is and how well it works. The ones I planted in the video are already about 4 inches tall......... Donald

[rebeldawg2169]

thank you your always informative

[webcajun]

You're welcome......... Donald

[pepperjoe12]

Donald,

I have a good YouTube video on making your own Upside Down Tomato Planters for FREE.

check it out on YouTube.

[webcajun]

I sure will .......  Donald

[austinsimpleliving]

another great how-to. We're gonna try this next time. Love your videos

[webcajun]

This is my favorite way of planting them.  Thanks........... Donald

[mrtilley66]

Hi Don ,great vid one question I started my seeds and when they all came up they shot up to about 4 or5 in. with 2 leaves and fall over.tom,swiss chard,squash,every thing what did I do wrong.You & Ray are the best.

[webcajun]

Leggy plants are caused by too little light....... Donald

[christschool]

I went to buy some seeds from your website but there are so many in each collection, much more than your typical urban/suburban gardener needs. Is there a way to get mini collections, which would cut the cost from $60 for both down to $30? Or perhaps a mini mini collection cutting cost down to $15? For instance, who needs 400 beet seeds but a serious farmer? I may end up buying them anyhow but I'd end up wasting most of the seeds.

[webcajun]

What ever you don't use this year, save for the next and the next. There are quite a few seeds in each package and I do understand it would be way too much for a small garden. Email a list of those you are interested in and i'll see what I can do.......... Donald

[tjberger09]

sorry about all the repeat comments, youtubes comment thing seems to be actin funny right now

[tjberger09]

how do you keep your greenhouse cart warm at night? it still gets pretty cool here at night. 40-50 ish. i would just put everything in my shop at night, but it doesn't stay very warm in there, just a few degrees warmer than outside. thanks.

[webcajun]

@tjberger09 ... in the video you may have noticed a thermostat hanging in the little greenhouse. That controls a small electric heater on the bottom shelf. The cost of running that heater can add up quick so don't start your seedlings too early....... Donald

[webcajun]

@jonathanhaslar ... Both the Creole and Coustralee tomato seeds were some I saved from last year. I'll have a video coming out in the next couple of months about how to save them.

I've also saved cantaloupe, cucumber, gherkin, cucuzza squash, potatoes and okra. As long as it's an open pollinated / heirloom variety and it's the only variety growing at the time you can save the seeds. I guess the key is to allow the vegetable to mature before harvesting the seed........... Donald

[hiphopsocnroc]

nice tips...

[webcajun]

@hiphopsocnroc .... thanks......... Donald

[ksbowhunter6]

Must be nice to have nice wheather, it just snowed here in kansas over the weekend,around 8 inches

[webcajun]

@ksbowhunter6 ... snow was in our forecast for Sunday but we missed it. Today it was in the 60s low 70s........ Donald

[TheUrbanOutdoors]

I'm definitely building a green house for next year. Your plants at 3-4 weeks are so much bigger than mine. I feel like somethings wrong. I want to maximize my natural lighting.

[webcajun]

@TheUrbanOutdoors ... like I said earlier, the one in the video may have been closer to 5 weeks. At three weeks, in natural sunlight, they should be around 4 inches tall. The variey my have something to do with that also. The one I showed was a Coustralee which grows like crazy. I don't use grow lights, only the sun......... Donald

[TheUrbanOutdoors]

@webcajun Thanks for the reply...love the videos

[webcajun]

You're welcome........... Donald

[OrganicGringo]

I'm gonna have to try my tomato seeds like that next year.

[webcajun]

@OrganicGringo ... you'll be hooked......... Donald

[jihadacadien]

Good video! I'm always careful with my tomatoes and peppers....like you said, it's way better to wait a week than to have to lose weeks of indoor growing.

[webcajun]

@jihadacadien ... I'll be starting some more just about every month during the spring / summer so I'll have tomatoes all season. Won't be a whole bunch maybe 3 or 4 at a time......... Donald

[jihadacadien]

that's a good idea. I do it with lettuce, radisnes and such,,but why not tomatoes!

[TheUrbanOutdoors]

Good video. Mine aren't the size of yours at 3-4 weeks, but they seem to be doing alright. Always like your videos

[webcajun]

@TheUrbanOutdoors ... the one in the video may have been closer to 5 weeks. At 3 weeks they're about 4 inches tall......... Donald

[SasyBecause]

Greenbeans needed a little sun so I put them out the pther morning ... The 20 degree drop in temp and the wind has me starting new ones ... Ugh glad it wasnt tomatoes i did that to I would have cried

[webcajun]

@SasyBecause ... you really don't need to start green beans, just plant they directly in the garden. With that said, I sometimes play around too........ Donald

[flibber123]

Good video, I like the camera angles and lighting, makes it easy to see everything. The homemade greenhouse was a pretty good idea I need to remember.

I planted my tomatoes in early Jan, transplanted them from their planters.

I'm in So California, so it was cold and rainy(low 40s) at that time, but not too bad.

They didn't exactly thrive, but they survived. Now they are about 4' tall, and small tomatoes are growing.

[webcajun]

@flibber123 ...  the ones planted in the video are about 3-4 inches tall right now. They'll be ready to go in the garden after Easter......... Donald

[mouseopotomus]

I knew who you were talking about the minute you said Ray. lol I have really come to enjoy yours and Ray videos. Hey wanted to ask, How are the worms? Did they survive or did I just miss a video?

[webcajun]

@mouseopotomus ... hadn't done any updates on the worms lately. During one of the storms the top blew off and the tub filled with water. I lost about 90% of em in that bin. Right now I'm feeding and letting them multiply.  Only the strong survive around here. LOL ........ Donald

[jplerwill]

Ive also been using a similar method, though I would fill it 1/4 the after they sprout up, I I add some soil to 1/2 so seedling doesnt become spindly.

[webcajun]

@jplerwill ... starting them in the mini greenhouse they get sunlight just about every day so leggy plants usually aren't a problem........ Donald

[alyshells]

Wow!! That's an awesome trick with the halfway planting. So simple but I never thought of it. Thanks!

[webcajun]

@alyshells ... it works great, they never stop growing........ Donald

[jplerwill]

Do you have cattle as well, seems like I could hear them in the back ground. If so I hope you do some videos on them too. Great videos by the way, very informative and enjoyable.

[webcajun]

@jplerwill ... the cattle are for the neighbor........... Donald

[1DRock37167]

Love those Cherokee Purples! Thanks for the info Donald:-) Up here we dont plant till after tax day.

[webcajun]

@1DRock37167 ... first time trying the Cherokee Purple........ Donald

[loveofvegetables]

I did my tomatoes like Ray suggested and boy they look wonderful. I also never expected that this cold weather would last this long, I've already planted my maters out but have to cover them up everyonce in a while when temps get cold, and what a pain that is.

[webcajun]

@loveofvegetables ... I'm waiting till after Easter (Zone 8) before putting them in the ground cause I know they wouldn't get covered here. We had a chance of snow yesterday........ Donald

[BGgardenLive]

This is wonderful information! I always learn so much from your videos. THANK YOU! I just shared some seed sowing tips on Twitter.

[webcajun]

@BGgardenLive ... this is by far my favorite way of planting them......... Donald

[DirTyOhGee]

Thanks for the info, it will come in handy.

[webcajun]

@DirTyOhGee ... you're welcome....... Donald

[webcajun]

@jonathanhaslar ... Ray or Praxxus55712 plants just a little differently but it's basically the same idea. He doesn't thin the plants out. This is my second time starting them this way and it works great......... Donald

[Praxxus55712]

You give your tomato seedlings water? oh. And here I've been giving mine margaritas and shots of Jack Daniels. This explains why my seedlings stagger around the yard starting starting fights with the chickens, stealing my car and waking up face down in the compost pile. :)

Thanks for the vote of confidence Donald! Excellent demo! :)

[webcajun]

@Praxxus55712 ... Hey Ray, they get the water and I drink the Jack Daniels. Can't find the compost pile to fall into.

This will be my second time planting tomatoes this way and love it. Only thing I do differently is thin them out to one plant per pot. I believe you transplant all 2-3 in the same hole. I couldn't do that with those big Coustralee, would be a jungle out there........... Donald

[tvtoms]

'mater's are mean drunks!

Someone make the t-shirt.

[Wizechris1]

you go ray ! bravo your big time hollywood farming star now !!! oh yea

[Newyorkischaos]

Awesome video Donald. I am sort of doing the same with my tomato plants too...I have three creole plants in the garden already. I am down by New Orleans and we just had some cold weather, but i covered them up. Keep up the great work and hopefully my gamble will pay off... O yea, I was thinking of making a garden just for gumbo ingredients because we go fishing all the time, but I will post a video whenever i get around to that... From one Cajun to another, Have a good one!!!!

[webcajun]

@Newyorkischaos ... I hope this will be the last cool spell (in the 30s) that we have this year. I'll transplant my tomatoes after Easter. Would like to get my Okra planted but it's kind of wet and a little cool right now for that.

Went Red fishing in Lafitte not long ago. Take care.......... Donald

[fatpius]

since i'm doing containers, it's not that hard to cover them up....couldn't wait any longer;-)

so far, so good.

[webcajun]

@fatpius ... when I just can't wait any longer I do the same thing. I have potatoes growing in big flower pots right now........ Donald

[CyberCacique1]

5star!

Any insight onto your special tomato soil mixture?

Also, With the "mini-greenhouse" you created, are you using fluorescent lamps at all? I'm in MI and not blessed with the fortunate sun you have in LA.

Again, great vid sir! :)

[webcajun]

@CyberCacique1 ... I purchased a sack of MG potting soil and simply removed all the big sticks and bark, that's it. Imagine if I would have added 20% worm casting how nice those plants would have been.

My mini greenhouse has no lights, only natural sunlight. I did run an electric heater at night when it got really cold. Glad you enjoyed ........ Donald

[baconsoda]

I used this (Ray's) method last year and I had better, healthier plants than ever before. Each time I transplant I bury more of the stem.

Great to see the videos starting again Donald.

Best Wishes, Brendan

[webcajun]

@baconsoda ... hey Brendan, this is by far the best way I've found to grow tomato plants yet......... Donald

[BradAu73]

great video with great advice. my toms produce a bit of fruit but seem to have a wilting problem. can't quite figure it out because they produced, died back and have had a second fruiting. we live in subtropical gold coast australia so dont really have a frost problem. keep the vids coming. thanks

[webcajun]

@BradAu73 ... the first harvest is usually the best when it comes to tomatoes. They'll continue making but the tomatoes start getting smaller and fewer as the plants get older. At least that's been my experience with the varieties I plant.......... Donald

[kokonutbaby1]

Anything coming from Ray and you is great by me, both of you are wonderful gardeners for sure! Nice video! Am potting up seeds left and right these days getting ready to plant. Excitng isnt it? I love spring!

Angie

[webcajun]

@kokonutbaby1 ... this is my farovite time of the year too. Got a chance to plant a little corn the other day, felt real good......... Donald

[mywootgarden]

some of the best youtube footage ive ever seen! a crossup of webcajun meets prarxxus (i mean if thats the ray you ment) super wootness, youtube and gardening are like comfort food but without eating :D thanks for posting, cant wait to see the next one!

[webcajun]

@mywootgarden ... warm weather is right around the corner so you should be seeing more videos in the coming months. You're right it is Praxxus55712 - I was going to include his YouTube name in the video but forgot, getting old I guess........ Donald

[soxnes]

sweet first to comment and great video i just love them keep them coming. if u can show more of you planting different plants

[webcajun]

@soxnes ... most of the stuff from here on out will be seeded directly into the garden. Glad you enjoyed ........ Donald