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Joliet, IL

it would be very good information if those who have grown monsters in each different region of the world explain when they start their plants and why. for instance, even though it has gotten hot and humid some of my latest sets up higher about 40" seem to not want to blush as fast as the early low sets when days of sunshine are longest. is there a faster or slower matutity rate based on hours of sunlight. seems like lots of the first earliest big ones were timed to be ready for fall weigh offs. so later starts mean tomatoes have less sun and cooler nights early september to not want to blush early.

8/26/2014 8:51:04 PM

Joliet, IL

many GVGO growers for years seem like they start later to be ready for fall....i might not start mine so soon or at least stagger some this year. ideally i would think a nice mega in 18" - 30" high region of a terminated plant at the right time of summer is the key? for minnesota growers, when did Dan start his 4.57? maybe seed starting date info on weigh off line andvone could go back and chart tendencies?

8/26/2014 9:00:02 PM

valparaiso, in

I tried to stagger mine out, and found that I needed the heat of July to get bigger tomatoes. Even when I had bigger blossoms growing into fall they did not get as big as the ones that I started earlier in the year.

8/26/2014 11:09:01 PM

Ely Mn

shazzy
i started most my seeds on the 19th of april.
the 5.03 that grew the 6.88 was started may 7 th

8/26/2014 11:47:55 PM

Allentown, PA

For the last two seasons I have started my seeds on March 23rd. My particular part of Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6B
Another fifty miles south begins Zone 7 for the Philadelphia area and further south into De,MD and VA.

I transplant in the first ten days in May. I begin to see blooms around the middle of May forward.

I've only has to worry about light frost twice and that was in 2012.

8/27/2014 7:21:03 AM

Allentown, PA

Spelling correction; the last sentience was supposed to say "" I've only had to worry about light frost twice and that was in 2012. ""

8/27/2014 7:22:57 AM

Joliet, IL

thanks all!!

8/27/2014 10:13:56 AM

Wixom MI.

like everyone out their, i like to start my tomatoes 4-6 weeks early indoors to get that jump start on everyone !!! well im still going to do that but only for my eating tomatos !! i see the real competitors start from april 20 to may 10 or plant the seed directly into the soil without transplanting. well i give in...... next year i will plant seeds directly in soil outdoors after may 10 in michigan and see what happens. i know their is plenty of time, but it is so hard to wait that long when all your other plants are one foot tall and flowering alllready !!!!

8/27/2014 2:11:57 PM