I have a question for all of you. We are headed on vacation next week and I have 30 tomato plants about 4 inches tall that I am debating on whether to plant.
The lowest temps at night the week we are gone will be 48 for two nights. We thought about planting and putting black plastic around the plants to keep the ground a bit warmer. But then I think we have to come up with a drip system and not the sprinkler. No rain is forecast. I was thinking we need to do this anyway because we have had problems with blight the past few years.
The other option is to keep them in their trays with the warming mat under them and rig up a plastic cover to give them a mini greenhouse. The only concern there is they are in my sunroom and I do not want them to get too hot.
We also do not have anyone to come in and water them.
Third option is to take them camping with us, lol. Crazy but we have taken baby chicks on a camping trip!
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
I’d think they could tolerate those temps. Have they been hardened off? Sturdy stems? Not leggy? If so, I’d plant them.
I would plant them as deeply as you can, though, leaving the leaves above ground, of course! They will put out roots immediately from the stems, resulting in stronger plants.
From what I remember, the Amish around here plant their tomatoes and never water them. I mean, they ARE from the tropics to begin with, though I couldn’t do that to my ‘babies.’ ;)
Yep, get them hardened off, plant deep and water thoroughly. They’ll be fine for a week since it’s not hot yet and moisture doesn’t evaporate from the soil fast like it does in July/Aug.
If you get freak cold weather after you get back, you can cover them outside with some hoops and plastic.
Last frost date for me is May 6th so I’m waiting a few weeks before putting maters & peppers out.