Timing our Garden

Is it too early to plant your tomatoes? Yesterday a reader asked me this very question. My brief reply was unless you plan on protecting your plants, it is best to wait until all the cold nights are behind us. This is New England and the weather is funky. It is best to think like a farmer and take those extra precautions. If you want to get your tomato plants in the ground early, you can purchase either hot caps or row covers. These fairly inexpensive contraptions can be set up to act as a mini-greenhouse. Here is a quick link from Burpee for the row covers. http://www.burpee.com/product/gardening+supplies/garden+growing/tunlcover.do?ch=SEM The hot caps are individual set-ups so it is strictly a customer choice.

If you don’t want to go this route, hold off on buying your plants too soon. Tomatoes, or any living plant left in its pot for too long is stifled; the plant ends up struggling once it gets in the ground rather than take off with vigor and vibrancy. With anything you plant, providing the best conditions is critical to its survival. Be a bit more patient with your timing. Wait until you are ready to plant those tomatoes before you buy your sets. Dig your growing area and prep it well. Start some other veggies and herbs that are more time-sensitive to get started and take Stacey Charter’s advice. “Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” Hope this helps, Tracy.

Perfect timing for a photograph of ferns unfolding in the morning light
Photos by Greg Bilowz