Mother's Day & Last Frost

Here in Ohio, the word is to wait to plant things outside until after Mother's Day.  This year, Mother's Day was one week before the last frost date - May 15th.  Instead of planting tomatoes in January like we did last year, we decided to do a whole batch of herbs first, and then plant tomatoes in April.  They'll be 6 weeks old by the last frost date if we plant April 1st, we reasoned. 

through the window

 Compared to the fertilizer-drenched transplants shipped in from Arkansas and Alabama that are on the shelves of the mainstream garden centers like Lowe's or Home Depot, our transplants are tiny. 

herbs & French double-dwarf marigolds

Tiny plants CAN grow into strong behemoths, even if they aren't grown by soaking in a bath of chemicals.  Even though most consumers go for bigger plants, I think people will be impressed by the quality of our seedlings.  We do not try to disguise the true nature of our seedlings by feeding them "plant steroids."   They are not crowded or rootbound, and their heritage is strong and true. 

the greenhouse at night

 Last year on May 8th, we planted heirloom tomatoes on a windy hillside near Flint Ridge.   Then it frosted that same night.  We tied cellophane bags over the newly transplanted tomatoes to protect them, then removed bags the next day before the tomato plants got cooked in the sun. The soil was only about 4 inches deep in some places.  The tomato plants survived and actually produced a fair crop of tomatoes, even in these non-ideal growing conditions. 

with the moon in the background. 

 This year, due to gas prices, we hope to farm a plot of land much closer to home.  I would encourage everyone to check their soil depth before planting tomatoes, and don't plant them in a place where they will bear the brunt of direct west winds.  Marigolds are a tremendous companion crop for tomatoes.  Not only do they attract hoverflies, which eat aphids, but marigolds also inhibit nematodes from attacking root systems. 

Batch 2 up-potted.  We have been putting things on the floor at night so they don't get MORE RAIN. 

heirloom tomato seedlings

 Next year we will be offering tomatoes in 4-packs instead of solely in single 3.5" pots. 

heirloom Black Beauty Eggplant seedlings

Urban gardeners can grow tomatoes, eggplant and peppers in containers.  These usually need at least an 18" diameter container to develop an adequate root system.    Excellent growing tips are available at http://ohioheirloomseeds.com/Growing_Tips.html 

The soil mix is very important for each plant.  Each variety prefers a certain habitat.  The more you can re-create the plant's natural habitat  - in terms of soil conditions, temperature, light and moisture levels, among other factors - the better the plant will do.  Soil is the basis for all life on earth.  If you take care of the soil, you take care of the plants.  If you take care of the plants, they will take care of you.