Another Tomato question? :)

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 06, 2005 10:44 pm

How low can the temps go for them to continue growing and not die or be stressed. In otherwords, when can I plant them in the garden and not worry about them? They are talking possible lows of 41 in the next 10 days, but no freezes. Is that okay to plant them out in? THanks!

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » May 06, 2005 11:53 pm

If it doesn't freeze or frost, then you can plant them but tomatoes are a tropical plant and wont do much, if any growing till the soil warms up.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 06, 2005 11:58 pm

Well, they've grown too fast already! LOL I need a break from them! THanks!

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » May 12, 2005 9:19 pm

Hi
You can plant them, but just put a clear plastic bag over the plant and cut a few slits in the bag so that they don't over heat. Put them over the plant and if it is cool at night, throw a sheet over them too and remove the sheet in themorning.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 12, 2005 9:24 pm

I should have today and didn't, b/c they were calling for yet another freeze, but now saying only to 37, so.........tomorrow I will plant them. If they don't make it, I'll buy some dangit!

Thanks......... I needed others opinions!

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » May 12, 2005 9:40 pm

Jane,
When I use to have a small hoop garden for the tomatoes I would put tiny christmas lights inside the hoop or patio light strings to keep them from freezing when it got cold out. *S*

Soummer · Post by **Soummer** » May 12, 2005 9:48 pm

Tundra_Queen wrote:Jane,
When I use to have a small hoop garden for the tomatoes I would put tiny christmas lights inside the hoop or patio light strings to keep them from freezing when it got cold out. *S*

That's a great idea! Bet it looks neat, too

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 12, 2005 10:12 pm

Without covering them you mean? INteresting!

Have a ton of those I havne't put up in a few years

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » May 12, 2005 10:34 pm

I had a hoop garden made of heavy plastic hoops, tied together in the middle and along the sides so they wouldn't fall over. I had bigger pvc pipes hammered into the ground and I put the heavy plastic hoops ends into them, making the hoop.

Then I put clear plastic over top of the "hoops"with the tomatoes in their cages insie the "tunnel".

I put lights around the tomato cages and the heat from the lights kept them from freezing and even the cucumbers and zucchinis didn't get touched by frost. I'd open the ends of the hoop garden in the morning to let some of the heat out. Also don't let the lights touch the plastic,,,patio lights are good for this cause they are in those plastic dome thingies.

Debbie

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 12, 2005 10:39 pm

I could do that! PVC is cheap enough too. Thanks..........i'll have to rig something up similar for a couple weeks!

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » May 12, 2005 10:57 pm

the part that makes the hoops is a bit flexible but still stiff. It has to be a bit flexible to make the hoops, it might even be called polyprophelene and it has to be a bit smaller in diameter than the PVC.

But the stuff to drive into the ground to put the hoops into is definately PVC. It is very stiff and will not bend, I made this about 12" long. You can also get some plumbing strapping to screw the strapping into the sides of the garden bed so they won't get pulled out of the ground.

Debbie

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » May 12, 2005 11:03 pm

Thanks, and yes, the thinner stuff is bendable. We used pvc stuff for the green house and worked great so far. I have plastic left over, and can use that too. Great idea!

Thanks again!

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » May 13, 2005 12:11 am

Way

idea Debbie!

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » May 13, 2005 3:30 pm

That is a great idea. Wonder if it looks like the plants are having a little midnight X-mas party under the tent?

Tundra_Queen · Post by **Tundra_Queen** » May 15, 2005 3:25 am

Joan,
yep, and the tomato plants are mini xmas trees.

Debbie

kidzdad · Post by **kidzdad** » Oct 16, 2005 7:19 pm

Question. What is a hoop garden??