[ansel12]

I’ve planted tomatoes early and my impression was that I gained nothing, they just sat there until the soil warmed up and things got to where the tomato plant wanted it to be in the first place.

This year I used my meat thermometer to check the soil temp and then planted, as far as wind or too much sun, or a hard rain, I cut open the big bags from the potting soil and clothes pin those to the tomato cages, either on the side to block the winds if needed, or sometimes on top to block too much sun.

[metmom]

I’ve heard that while tomatoes and peppers are warm weather crops, they don’t like excessive heat and direct hot sun.

The recommendation is a sun shade for peak heat in July and August.

[daniel1212]

I’ve planted tomatoes early and my impression was that I gained nothing, they just sat there until the soil warmed up and things got to where the tomato plant wanted it to be in the first place.

Yes, it has been my experience that toms prefer warmth over a lot of sunlight. But my seedlings in small cups under cheap LED lights were getting to tall for the cups. Which cost $.