SF Bay Area here too. Ordered cucumber, melon, tomato seeds. Have NOT started tomatoes yet but will do so soon.
In my neighborhood there’s a nasty blight that kills a healthy potted tomato plant, just as if you’d cut the stem open with a scissors. Don’t know if what varieties I have are disease resistant. Last plant to so succumb was a Picardy. Taking my chances and will try to let hope triumph over experience.
A plant with a healthy root system (volunteer potted or transplanted in-ground) has a better chance of survival. Potted transplants don’t do as well, I think.
“ just as if you’d cut the stem open with a scissors.“
That’s a good description of the actions of a “cut worm”.
Too early in central TX for cut worms, and I have planted my tomatoes for this year. We are really dry and need rain. Just waiting for the chiggers to hatch and make outside chores miserable.
Oh spring!! Where is your annoying bite?