My biggest mistake in the past was planting tomatoes out when they were too tender and the soil was too cold. It's amazing how much you learn from undesirable results.
Wait till ground temps is 50 degrees. In Kentucky that is usually May 8th. Look at your weather for month and plant seeds or plants when night temps are above 50 degrees
I just stepped up my tomatoes into clear solo cups and in 2 days I started seeing roots wrap around the sides. I couldn't believe what I saw. So, you're right, stepping up makes the plants explode with growth.
First year with a greenhouse and was so happy with how all my tomatoes were doing, didn't heat it these last few days of cold weather and I lost them all! Hard lesson learned, now I'm starting over.
I always step up my tomato plants. This year for the first time I started some tomato seeds in the middle of January and put them in 5 gallon buckets late February. I bring them into the garage during cold nights. My Sungold and Super Sweet 100 are already producing flowers. Also have a Homestead and a Kellogg's Breakfast in 5 gallon buckets. Expecting to be eating cherry tomatoes in April and slicers in May, both is normally unheard of here. I've hit my last frost date and the 10 day forecast has no nights under 50 degrees, so tomorrow I'm planting more tomato plants outside. Will have some extra backups just in case something happens. Can't wait for a mater samwich.
Greetings from Tallahassee! I really enjoy your channel! Being a retired engineer and avid backyard gardener, your content is very timely. This year is the first time growing my plants from seeds. I'm growing many of the varieties you recommended and the plants look great. Potatoes, summer squash, and cucumbers are looking good in the garden. First round of tomatoes and peppers will be planted later this week. Last Friday, I made the annual spring trip to Graco Fertilizer to purchase fertilizer for the lawn and garden. I have been buying mulch and fertilizer from them for several years. It is always fun to visit Graco and talk to the guys. Take care and keep up the good work...
Last night it got down to 28 here and even though I covered my potatoes quite a few of the leaves were badly burnt. I'm hoping and praying the plant itself didn't freeze and they will recover. I also covered my tomatoes I put out to early and the jury is still out on those. This Spring hasn't been a normal Spring, just like June of 22 wasn't normal either. I have backups for the ones outside if they don't make it. The most expensive tomato seeds had very few seeds in the packets and I had put most of them out already. Planting warm weather plants out early is always a gamble.
We've got frost here in the N. FL Panhandle this morning - Low temp was 34 degrees, and yesterday, was 32. I've only got brassicas planted, so nothing but a few basil and dill plants in the herb garden got hit. Luckily, I've got spares under grow lights. With these crazy weather patterns, I'm hesitant to plant out tomatoes yet, so I'm taking my cues from you! I'm about where you are in prepping my soil, too - Just wheel hoeing and installing a few drip tape lines when the weather permits so I'll be ready to go when the weather is right. I'm praying for some good harvests this year.
I stepped up most of my tomato plants in the past few days. I’m growing mostly dwarf tomatoes this year and I’m excited about the way these seedlings look. For the determinant varieties, I’m using 3-gallon grow bags. For the indeterminant varieties, I’ll use 7-gallon grow bags or plant some of them in raised beds. I have been running a heater in the greenhouse the past few nights but I think another night or two and that will be over. I also stepped up some pepper plants - possibly a little prematurely but they seemed to be “stuck” and not growing much so I up-potted the shishitos, jalapenos, and bell peppers. 🙏🏻I love spending cold days in the warm greenhouse and am really excited to see how these dwarf tomatoes turn out.
I needed this video! I started all my indeterminates too early for this year's weather pattern (zone 8A, TX). Did step them up, and yes, they grow do grow faster after that. Currently hardening them off, hoping they make it until they get in the ground in the next week or so. I'm encouraged to see you are again planting the Rose variety. I'm trying those this year, along with Kellogg's Breakfast, Brandywine Pink, and Black Krim. This is my first year to grow from seed, and I hope to learn more. Thank you so much, Travis!
My favorite time of year - getting tomatoes ready to plant. Unfortunately I haven’t made much progress in getting my garden area established, so this will be 2 years now without a garden. Planning to get some grow bags and plant a few tomatoes, peppers, etc and then get my garden ready for next Fall. I really miss having a garden.
Last year I stepped up my tomatoes and they were huge when I put in the ground!! Started 8 weeks before last frost date and up potted at abt 5 weeks old. Over 20” tall at planting time and was able to bury deep. Like you said they really “pop” when you step them up. Great video
Last year we had like 20+ days in the 70s and 7 days in the 80s for March; this year, we have had 1 single day that hit 70. That puts us behind a good month on planting as the soil is cold and super wet. Even the worms are drowning from all the water saturating the soil.
@@NNTorious What really sucks is that I've been sick with either flu or covid the past 10 days. I figure it is going to drag on for another 5 at least. Picked it up by using the keyboard at a UPS shipping location as that had been the only place I had been to.
I always step up my tomato plants. This year, I used the Agro Thrive Liquid Fertilizer and my 'mater plants got SO big and beautiful SO fast I couldn't believe it! Thanks, Travis. You're making me look smart. LOL
I almost always step up at least one time before putting the tomatoes in their forever home. There's another UA-cam gardening influencer who advocates starting in seeds in half-filled Solo cups, then once they've grown past the lip of the cup, fill it up the rest of the way with soil. It's like stepping up without having to remove and repot. And of course, you plant them deep again when putting them out in the garden. I too have noticed that they take off after stepping up.
i love tomatoes, we are growing 48 varieties of tomatoes, im so excited to have the tomatoes about. I have only sown them at the beginning of this month. I am excited to have such a collourful harvesting basket. im running out of room so much that im moving a ton of things down the green house. I dont want to move chills or egg plant or peppers. I lost a load of stuff last year messing up the heater.
I always end up stepping my plants up because I get antsy and plant too early. Not to mention the weather has been pretty unpredictable for the past few years which makes it even worse. We use to be able to put our tomatoes out in my area April 1st, now it's been more like the end of April and later because of frost coming in one more time in early to mid April after being 70+ for a couple weeks.
Love those 'Big Orange' stepped up cartons! And, the Dolly Partons's will be a big addition to a garden! I really needed this video...in Zone 7A and my make shift green house is overcome with 6-8@ plants!! And, love the pre weeding in the tomato plot!!
Last year was the first year that I “stepped up” tomatoes in larger pots (actually in solo cups). By the time I planted them in the garden, they were much better than in that past. I’ll be doing it again this year.
My big, beautiful potato plants turned to mush. My fig leaves are also ruined. Whaaah! My sweet tomato babies are in a small greenhouse with Christmas lights, and they’re still happy. Next time I will be covering my potato plants and fruit trees if I can.
i love that plug garden seed tray wow such a great idea did my hole garden with one tray...peppers tomatoes all kinds purple cabbage melons cucumbers broccoli everything .. i imagine bottom feeding would help alot on them.. love that plug tray i got the 160
It got down to 32, yesterday morning. I didn't see any frost, but the pinto beans, that had gotten about 4 inches tall, may have to be replanted. My cucumbers and squash weren't phased at all. I really hope those Dolly Parton tomatoes do well and you sell some seeds next year. I'd like to get my hands on some of those.
I make a point of stepping mine up this way also! Definitely enjoyable and great for the plants! Sometimes one more time for the few I start early. Lol, plan A,B,C&D for sure!
I up potted my tomato plants from a floating seed-starting kit into 18-pot tray using a mix of seed-starting mix and earthworm castings. The tomatoes have taken off and hopefully they’ll be transplanted in raised beds within the next 10 days if the weather forecast permits.
The frost got some of my green beans. I am glad i over planted. Nature thinned the bed for me. And being behind planting my corn turned out ok as well.
I step up my tomato plants into solo cups. Only adding a little dirt at a time as they grow. Then when ready to plant out the whole solo cup is full of roots.
I start all my tomatoes and peppers in those 2 1/2 " pots. Then, pot up to 3 1/2 X 5 deep pots for the tomatoes or 3 1/2 deep for the peppers. this year I'm starting earlier and trying the 5" X 6" pots for the tomatoes just to see how well larger transplants do.
I always step mine up because I grow about 600 to 700 tomato plants so space under grow lights is an issue I plant 5 seeds per cell in 50 cell seed trays so once they get a couple inches tall I pot them up and by then it's warm enough to put in greenhouse with a space heater
Travis, I always step up my plants. I use the 144 cell "10x20" Prop-Tek trays so the individual cells are smaller than the ones you have. Those trays fit my grow rack where the 162's are too long. I also use those color pots from BootStrap Farmer (thanks for turning us on to those a while back) and love those size pots. I need to up pot mine probably tomorrow so this was a timely video for us. One more night of 30 degree weather for us though. Getting close to time to plant outside though!!!!
I have 1 of those 162 trays and they are nice but I'm in the same situation 10 x 20 trays fit my system perfect and those are just to big also the bottom trays are much larger then the seed tray so they take up extra room they should make a smaller bottom tray and also make 10 x 20 trays that are sturdy like them
@@travisevans7502 I love the durability of the Proptek cell flats. I wish PropTek made a 128 or a 72 or even a 50 cell in their 10x20" line. The cells on the 144 are a little too small for full grow out to transplant IMO, but I guess they are geared the commercial guys with number of plants per flat being the point and they plant sooner than home gardener types do.
We've had three days straight of temps in the upper 20s. Last week it did the same thing. The freezes have killed back the new growth on some of my blueberries and blackberries. My Mighty Mustard doesn't look too mighty. LOL It's barely grown in two weeks. I'm going to have to till it under or I'm going to miss early planting.
I took your advice this year and started my determinate variety tomatoes in the containers I meant to transfer em straight to the garden in. Basically 16 oz dixie cups. They looked amazing and out growed my 27 gal tote grow box in just 2 weeks, so i took them outside and had em under a plastic tarp made for green houses. Since they were fresh and young, I made sure to double the plastic for the first couple weeks and keep an eye on them to make sure the sun wasn't baking them. They were just fine until that last cold spell came in. Each plant looked awesome and was a full array of leaves erected to about 12" tall from the cup surface. Only had 30 days from the time I planted the seed to the last cold spell, and it killed em. ALL my great looking tomatoes, DEAD. And now so are all my Pepper plants that I planted back in January. So fortunitely, I started another tray of seeds in my grow box less than a week ago and already have some of them starting to imerge. Hopefully, I can get these about as ready as the others were before it's time to set em out. But yea, I'm having to start all over with.
Do you step-up your tomato plants into larger pots or do you prefer smaller tomato plants? Let us know! GET BOOTSTRAP FARMER POTS AND TRAYS HERE: bit.ly/3dhVYCG SHOP LAZY DOG FARM FIG TREES: lazydogfarm.com/collections/fig-trees 0:00 Intro 1:46 Frost Damage on Cucumbers 3:05 Tomato Transplant Update 4:16 Why You Should "Up-Pot" Tomato Plants 13:56 Tomato Plot Prep
I use a technique from another UA-cam channel. I can because I don’t plant a lot of tomatoes. I start with a solo cup with about 2 inches of soil. As the tomato plants grow, I add soil. Works great.
Once again im not doing enough fertilization ..it happens when ur pushing 80..i do have tomatoes already and an artichoke ..actually two...but dang..doesn't look like its got meat on it..guess i need to fertlize more and water more... Im so swtching to the tape system
I would love a video on greenhouses and what temps to aim for in cooler climate. I'm in Ontario Canada and there isn't too much info on this. I know it will need a heater but still don't know when I could bring things like brassica vs tomato out .
Travis on mature tomatoes you are very strong about watering with drip tape and avoiding watering from the top on the leaves, so why are you so strong on watering tomato seedlings from the top and not from the bottom like most other growers do? It seems like bottom watering would speed up a seedling sending roots to the bottom and I noticed when you pulled that tomato plug it seemed to be root heavy from the top which seems like top watering would encourage
I don't like water sitting in the bottom of those trays. And I don't like having to empty it. I just let it run through. The disease issues arise when temperatures are warmer and humidity increases. Not really an issue right now in early spring.
I like having both. I like the look of the staggered design, but there are some things that might get too tall for those 32" ones. I probably wouldn't want to grow cucumbers in those tall ones because then I'd have to get on a ladder to pick them.
My potatoes all died. If they come back up does that push back my harvest date? They were looking amazing and probably already used a significant amount of my preplant fertilizer. So I suppose I need to sidedress sooner
I watched your (Alfalfa pellets for fertilizer -- putting them to the test) ------ where is the follow-up that shows the results? I really want to see what happened!
Good morning from Bergheim, Texas! I planted my tomatoes early, at the end of February. I am in zone 8B. Most if not all have early blight. I pinched off the lower leaves and treated the plants with copper. Would I be better off replacing the plants, are they already inoculated and ruined? I know it is still early, and I could replant if I need to. Please let me know! Thank you, Robin.
If they do have blight, it's probably in your soil and adding new plants might not help. I'd have some backup plants, but I'd also try fertilizing and pushing the current ones through any issues. Sometimes that will work.
I like to err on the side of the plants being a little dry versus having moisture sitting in the bottom of a tray. You get better air flow that way IMO.
I have been using the agrothrive general purpose this year with my starts, so gonna probably have to step them up. They are growing like never before. I know ya probably already told us this in a previous video, but I can't recall for sure so, do you ever use the fruit and flower agrothrive at the seedling stage with transplants or only after they go into the ground?
Why don't you like to bottom water? And I'm in the same situation...I started my indeterminate and heirlooms early this year so they'd have a head start before the heat gets them (zone 7a) but I started getting into it and planted a bunch...now my Toronjina I got based on your recommendation is about a foot and a half tall and EVERYTHING I used Agrothrive on needs potted up. It's a nice problem to have but my 75% frost date can't get here soon enough. 😆🤞
Bit of a different question for ya, I been wondering how long your longest day (sunlight hours) in summer is and how short your shortest winter day is where you are
I like to give my plants plenty of airflow from the bottom. Don't like them sitting in water and don't like having to empty the excess water from the bottom tray.
I did up pot for the first time. I have a quick question about AgroThrive. Most of my plants are mostly established is it ok just to start out all my plants with the flowering AgroThrive the only difference I see is the phosphorus is 5 instead of 3. Saves me from buying both. Will it hurt to start out my new secession plants on it also in a couple of weeks. TIA
I don't like the excess water in the bottom tray and having to empty it. I like watering over the top and letting it drip through. I err on the side of keeping things drier as opposed to too wet. I also get much faster germination via top watering.
We do have a pasta sauce recipe that was given to us by an Italian family, but they've asked us not to share because it's their secret family recipe. So we've respected their wishes. We do have some recipes on our website here though: lazydogfarm.com/blogs/recipes
I planted potatoes here in central arkansas on march 7th, and not one has emerged from the ground. Should I consider it a loss at this point and plant new ones, or wait a bit longer? I planted them about 6 inches deep, and waited 2 days after I cut them to heal.
@@LazyDogFarm they seem to be stubborn. I scratched around and the tuber is going up, but is still around 3~4 inches from the top. You think it was possibly too cold, and just give it more time? Thanks for your help!
My biggest mistake in the past was planting tomatoes out when they were too tender and the soil was too cold. It's amazing how much you learn from undesirable results.
In gardening, there are no failures. There are only lessons.
Wait till ground temps is 50 degrees. In Kentucky that is usually May 8th. Look at your weather for month and plant seeds or plants when night temps are above 50 degrees
stepping up tomato plants is a must ....
Another good video Travis. It would be great if you would plant that Dolly tomato next to the Jolene tomato. 😊
I just stepped up my tomatoes into clear solo cups and in 2 days I started seeing roots wrap around the sides. I couldn't believe what I saw. So, you're right, stepping up makes the plants explode with growth.
I enjoy potting up as well. It is peaceful. ☺️
First year with a greenhouse and was so happy with how all my tomatoes were doing, didn't heat it these last few days of cold weather and I lost them all! Hard lesson learned, now I'm starting over.
That is a hard lesson. I ran the heater in mine the last two nights.
I always step up my tomato plants. This year for the first time I started some tomato seeds in the middle of January and put them in 5 gallon buckets late February. I bring them into the garage during cold nights. My Sungold and Super Sweet 100 are already producing flowers. Also have a Homestead and a Kellogg's Breakfast in 5 gallon buckets. Expecting to be eating cherry tomatoes in April and slicers in May, both is normally unheard of here. I've hit my last frost date and the 10 day forecast has no nights under 50 degrees, so tomorrow I'm planting more tomato plants outside. Will have some extra backups just in case something happens. Can't wait for a mater samwich.
Greetings from Tallahassee! I really enjoy your channel! Being a retired engineer and avid backyard gardener, your content is very timely. This year is the first time growing my plants from seeds. I'm growing many of the varieties you recommended and the plants look great. Potatoes, summer squash, and cucumbers are looking good in the garden. First round of tomatoes and peppers will be planted later this week. Last Friday, I made the annual spring trip to Graco Fertilizer to purchase fertilizer for the lawn and garden. I have been buying mulch and fertilizer from them for several years. It is always fun to visit Graco and talk to the guys. Take care and keep up the good work...
Great to hear! Hope your garden is bountiful this year!
Last night it got down to 28 here and even though I covered my potatoes quite a few of the leaves were badly burnt. I'm hoping and praying the plant itself didn't freeze and they will recover. I also covered my tomatoes I put out to early and the jury is still out on those. This Spring hasn't been a normal Spring, just like June of 22 wasn't normal either. I have backups for the ones outside if they don't make it. The most expensive tomato seeds had very few seeds in the packets and I had put most of them out already. Planting warm weather plants out early is always a gamble.
We've got frost here in the N. FL Panhandle this morning - Low temp was 34 degrees, and yesterday, was 32. I've only got brassicas planted, so nothing but a few basil and dill plants in the herb garden got hit. Luckily, I've got spares under grow lights. With these crazy weather patterns, I'm hesitant to plant out tomatoes yet, so I'm taking my cues from you! I'm about where you are in prepping my soil, too - Just wheel hoeing and installing a few drip tape lines when the weather permits so I'll be ready to go when the weather is right. I'm praying for some good harvests this year.
We had a little frost here this morning, but no significant damage.
I stepped up most of my tomato plants in the past few days. I’m growing mostly dwarf tomatoes this year and I’m excited about the way these seedlings look. For the determinant varieties, I’m using 3-gallon grow bags. For the indeterminant varieties, I’ll use 7-gallon grow bags or plant some of them in raised beds. I have been running a heater in the greenhouse the past few nights but I think another night or two and that will be over. I also stepped up some pepper plants - possibly a little prematurely but they seemed to be “stuck” and not growing much so I up-potted the shishitos, jalapenos, and bell peppers. 🙏🏻I love spending cold days in the warm greenhouse and am really excited to see how these dwarf tomatoes turn out.
I needed this video! I started all my indeterminates too early for this year's weather pattern (zone 8A, TX). Did step them up, and yes, they grow do grow faster after that. Currently hardening them off, hoping they make it until they get in the ground in the next week or so. I'm encouraged to see you are again planting the Rose variety. I'm trying those this year, along with Kellogg's Breakfast, Brandywine Pink, and Black Krim. This is my first year to grow from seed, and I hope to learn more. Thank you so much, Travis!
I started early too in Texas. I have 2ft tall tomatoes and still a week from planting then out.
Great work and amazing experience 👍
I follow you from morrocco 🇲🇦
My favorite time of year - getting tomatoes ready to plant. Unfortunately I haven’t made much progress in getting my garden area established, so this will be 2 years now without a garden. Planning to get some grow bags and plant a few tomatoes, peppers, etc and then get my garden ready for next Fall. I really miss having a garden.
I always learn something from you. today your method of potting up is awesome
Thanks 👍
Last year I stepped up my tomatoes and they were huge when I put in the ground!! Started 8 weeks before last frost date and up potted at abt 5 weeks old. Over 20” tall at planting time and was able to bury deep. Like you said they really “pop” when you step them up. Great video
Last year we had like 20+ days in the 70s and 7 days in the 80s for March; this year, we have had 1 single day that hit 70. That puts us behind a good month on planting as the soil is cold and super wet. Even the worms are drowning from all the water saturating the soil.
Damn that really sucks. That's why you always have to go off of your frost date. You may get lucky some years, but I wouldn't plan around that.
@@NNTorious What really sucks is that I've been sick with either flu or covid the past 10 days. I figure it is going to drag on for another 5 at least. Picked it up by using the keyboard at a UPS shipping location as that had been the only place I had been to.
I’ve been waiting for March! We had drenching rain storms in California and it’s cold. Planted onions today a beautiful day❤
Great job!
I appreciate more showing us what you’re doing, less telling.
I always step up my tomato plants. This year, I used the Agro Thrive Liquid Fertilizer and my 'mater plants got SO big and beautiful SO fast I couldn't believe it! Thanks, Travis. You're making me look smart. LOL
I almost always step up at least one time before putting the tomatoes in their forever home. There's another UA-cam gardening influencer who advocates starting in seeds in half-filled Solo cups, then once they've grown past the lip of the cup, fill it up the rest of the way with soil. It's like stepping up without having to remove and repot. And of course, you plant them deep again when putting them out in the garden. I too have noticed that they take off after stepping up.
i love tomatoes, we are growing 48 varieties of tomatoes, im so excited to have the tomatoes about. I have only sown them at the beginning of this month. I am excited to have such a collourful harvesting basket. im running out of room so much that im moving a ton of things down the green house. I dont want to move chills or egg plant or peppers. I lost a load of stuff last year messing up the heater.
I Always step up my tomatoes. It doesn't take much time and the plants can stay in the bigger pots if the weather doesn't cooperate. 🙂
I love your analogy of the Dolly Parton mater 😅
I always end up stepping my plants up because I get antsy and plant too early. Not to mention the weather has been pretty unpredictable for the past few years which makes it even worse. We use to be able to put our tomatoes out in my area April 1st, now it's been more like the end of April and later because of frost coming in one more time in early to mid April after being 70+ for a couple weeks.
Love those 'Big Orange' stepped up cartons! And, the Dolly Partons's will be a big addition to a garden! I really needed this video...in Zone 7A and my make shift green house is overcome with 6-8@ plants!! And, love the pre weeding in the tomato plot!!
Last year was the first year that I “stepped up” tomatoes in larger pots (actually in solo cups). By the time I planted them in the garden, they were much better than in that past. I’ll be doing it again this year.
My big, beautiful potato plants turned to mush. My fig leaves are also ruined. Whaaah! My sweet tomato babies are in a small greenhouse with Christmas lights, and they’re still happy. Next time I will be covering my potato plants and fruit trees if I can.
i love that plug garden seed tray wow such a great idea did my hole garden with one tray...peppers tomatoes all kinds purple cabbage melons cucumbers broccoli everything .. i imagine bottom feeding would help alot on them.. love that plug tray i got the 160
It got down to 32, yesterday morning. I didn't see any frost, but the pinto beans, that had gotten about 4 inches tall, may have to be replanted. My cucumbers and squash weren't phased at all.
I really hope those Dolly Parton tomatoes do well and you sell some seeds next year. I'd like to get my hands on some of those.
I make a point of stepping mine up this way also! Definitely enjoyable and great for the plants! Sometimes one more time for the few I start early. Lol, plan A,B,C&D for sure!
I up potted my tomato plants from a floating seed-starting kit into 18-pot tray using a mix of seed-starting mix and earthworm castings. The tomatoes have taken off and hopefully they’ll be transplanted in raised beds within the next 10 days if the weather forecast permits.
The frost got some of my green beans. I am glad i over planted. Nature thinned the bed for me. And being behind planting my corn turned out ok as well.
Hey Travis, I'm stepping up my tomatoes today. SC 7B
I step up my tomato plants into solo cups. Only adding a little dirt at a time as they grow. Then when ready to plant out the whole solo cup is full of roots.
I start all my tomatoes and peppers in those 2 1/2 " pots. Then, pot up to 3 1/2 X 5 deep pots for the tomatoes or 3 1/2 deep for the peppers. this year I'm starting earlier and trying the 5" X 6" pots for the tomatoes just to see how well larger transplants do.
You cool people man. Love watching all your vids .
Thanks Justin!
I always step mine up because I grow about 600 to 700 tomato plants so space under grow lights is an issue I plant 5 seeds per cell in 50 cell seed trays so once they get a couple inches tall I pot them up and by then it's warm enough to put in greenhouse with a space heater
Got mine stepped up last week myself
fantastic content. thank you for sharing. have a nice day!❤👍
I’m in 8b too down in Mobile and my potatoes were not happy with this frost. I believe they were established enough that they’re going to be fine.
Love the shirt!
Travis, I always step up my plants. I use the 144 cell "10x20" Prop-Tek trays so the individual cells are smaller than the ones you have. Those trays fit my grow rack where the 162's are too long. I also use those color pots from BootStrap Farmer (thanks for turning us on to those a while back) and love those size pots. I need to up pot mine probably tomorrow so this was a timely video for us. One more night of 30 degree weather for us though. Getting close to time to plant outside though!!!!
I have 1 of those 162 trays and they are nice but I'm in the same situation 10 x 20 trays fit my system perfect and those are just to big also the bottom trays are much larger then the seed tray so they take up extra room they should make a smaller bottom tray and also make 10 x 20 trays that are sturdy like them
@@travisevans7502 I love the durability of the Proptek cell flats. I wish PropTek made a 128 or a 72 or even a 50 cell in their 10x20" line. The cells on the 144 are a little too small for full grow out to transplant IMO, but I guess they are geared the commercial guys with number of plants per flat being the point and they plant sooner than home gardener types do.
We've had three days straight of temps in the upper 20s. Last week it did the same thing. The freezes have killed back the new growth on some of my blueberries and blackberries. My Mighty Mustard doesn't look too mighty. LOL It's barely grown in two weeks. I'm going to have to till it under or I'm going to miss early planting.
I took your advice this year and started my determinate variety tomatoes in the containers I meant to transfer em straight to the garden in. Basically 16 oz dixie cups. They looked amazing and out growed my 27 gal tote grow box in just 2 weeks, so i took them outside and had em under a plastic tarp made for green houses. Since they were fresh and young, I made sure to double the plastic for the first couple weeks and keep an eye on them to make sure the sun wasn't baking them. They were just fine until that last cold spell came in. Each plant looked awesome and was a full array of leaves erected to about 12" tall from the cup surface. Only had 30 days from the time I planted the seed to the last cold spell, and it killed em. ALL my great looking tomatoes, DEAD. And now so are all my Pepper plants that I planted back in January. So fortunitely, I started another tray of seeds in my grow box less than a week ago and already have some of them starting to imerge. Hopefully, I can get these about as ready as the others were before it's time to set em out. But yea, I'm having to start all over with.
Sorry to hear they didn't make it, but at least you've still got time for another round.
13:30 most interesting bit for me.
❤ great information.
Do you step-up your tomato plants into larger pots or do you prefer smaller tomato plants? Let us know!
GET BOOTSTRAP FARMER POTS AND TRAYS HERE: bit.ly/3dhVYCG
SHOP LAZY DOG FARM FIG TREES: lazydogfarm.com/collections/fig-trees
0:00 Intro
1:46 Frost Damage on Cucumbers
3:05 Tomato Transplant Update
4:16 Why You Should "Up-Pot" Tomato Plants
13:56 Tomato Plot Prep
I use a technique from another UA-cam channel. I can because I don’t plant a lot of tomatoes. I start with a solo cup with about 2 inches of soil. As the tomato plants grow, I add soil. Works great.
when I pot up i like to stuff a little handfull of worm castings under each one
We had 2 days last week that we had frost days m; however, I didn’t get the warning so I didn’t cover anything. Low and behold… no damage!!!!
Lucky you!
Yes! My plants, all my plants, have to be TOUGH! This family just can’t do no delicate gardening. 😂
Once again im not doing enough fertilization ..it happens when ur pushing 80..i do have tomatoes already and an artichoke ..actually two...but dang..doesn't look like its got meat on it..guess i need to fertlize more and water more...
Im so swtching to the tape system
I would love a video on greenhouses and what temps to aim for in cooler climate. I'm in Ontario Canada and there isn't too much info on this. I know it will need a heater but still don't know when I could bring things like brassica vs tomato out .
I try to keep mine from getting colder than 40 degrees. Sometimes that requires multiple heaters.
@@LazyDogFarm Ok thank-you. That's a good reference point for me to aim for. I'm just not familiar, and don't want to lose my started seedlings!
Travis on mature tomatoes you are very strong about watering with drip tape and avoiding watering from the top on the leaves, so why are you so strong on watering tomato seedlings from the top and not from the bottom like most other growers do? It seems like bottom watering would speed up a seedling sending roots to the bottom and I noticed when you pulled that tomato plug it seemed to be root heavy from the top which seems like top watering would encourage
I don't like water sitting in the bottom of those trays. And I don't like having to empty it. I just let it run through. The disease issues arise when temperatures are warmer and humidity increases. Not really an issue right now in early spring.
I step up plants when necessary.
Glad your damage was minimal. I was wondering what height do you prefer in the metal raised beds, 17” or 32”? Thanks.
I like having both. I like the look of the staggered design, but there are some things that might get too tall for those 32" ones. I probably wouldn't want to grow cucumbers in those tall ones because then I'd have to get on a ladder to pick them.
@@LazyDogFarm thanks, good points.
Great video! Thanks.
Do you think fertilizing the plants when potting up the tomatoes? Or is that not suggested?
We fertilize ours through our injection system once they're stepped up.
@@LazyDogFarm do you guys have a video on that perhaps?
@@milenameguerditchian5854 Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/XjvS-mSmhM4/v-deo.html
My potatoes all died. If they come back up does that push back my harvest date? They were looking amazing and probably already used a significant amount of my preplant fertilizer. So I suppose I need to sidedress sooner
Good question. I'm not sure.
I watched your (Alfalfa pellets for fertilizer -- putting them to the test) ------ where is the follow-up that shows the results? I really want to see what happened!
It worked well. It's not a fast solution, but it does really boost soil nutrition if you apply them a month or so before planting.
Do u have any more of the hoss flats I bought one from your family member
My tomatoes seedlings are all over the place in size. I may have to step up and not others from the same tray. Have you seen that?
I have not seen that. Most of ours grow at the same rate because they're all getting the same amount of water, heat, fertilizer, etc.
Lol I stepped mine up to the garden 😅
Good morning from Bergheim, Texas! I planted my tomatoes early, at the end of February. I am in zone 8B. Most if not all have early blight. I pinched off the lower leaves and treated the plants with copper. Would I be better off replacing the plants, are they already inoculated and ruined? I know it is still early, and I could replant if I need to. Please let me know! Thank you, Robin.
If they do have blight, it's probably in your soil and adding new plants might not help. I'd have some backup plants, but I'd also try fertilizing and pushing the current ones through any issues. Sometimes that will work.
I'm curious why you don't like bottom watering?
I like to err on the side of the plants being a little dry versus having moisture sitting in the bottom of a tray. You get better air flow that way IMO.
I have been using the agrothrive general purpose this year with my starts, so gonna probably have to step them up. They are growing like never before. I know ya probably already told us this in a previous video, but I can't recall for sure so, do you ever use the fruit and flower agrothrive at the seedling stage with transplants or only after they go into the ground?
Yeah I've used Fruit & Flower on seedlings if I was out of the other.
How is the trick of growing bell peppers my are not growing good . I plant seed and they are grow slow😊
Why don't you like to bottom water? And I'm in the same situation...I started my indeterminate and heirlooms early this year so they'd have a head start before the heat gets them (zone 7a) but I started getting into it and planted a bunch...now my Toronjina I got based on your recommendation is about a foot and a half tall and EVERYTHING I used Agrothrive on needs potted up. It's a nice problem to have but my 75% frost date can't get here soon enough. 😆🤞
Bit of a different question for ya, I been wondering how long your longest day (sunlight hours) in summer is and how short your shortest winter day is where you are
I get under 8 hrs day light in winter and 18 hours suny summers
I'd say around 10 hours in winter and 15 or so hours in the summer.
Do u have any seed order list. And I need to seed if you have fertilizer for sale
Can I ask why you don't like to bottom water? I really don't like it either but I've always heard it's better.
I like to give my plants plenty of airflow from the bottom. Don't like them sitting in water and don't like having to empty the excess water from the bottom tray.
What type pro-mix do you use?
ProMix BX
Where did you get your “give away” step up pots?
I think I got those at the local Dollar Store when they were having a big clearance sale this past fall.
What can you do when you plant too many tomato’s and don’t know where to plant them haha. I have this issue every year haha. I’m in San Diego lol
Share the extras!
I did up pot for the first time. I have a quick question about AgroThrive. Most of my plants are mostly established is it ok just to start out all my plants with the flowering AgroThrive the only difference I see is the phosphorus is 5 instead of 3. Saves me from buying both. Will it hurt to start out my new secession plants on it also in a couple of weeks. TIA
I don't think it will hurt anything. I've used Fruit & Flower on seedlings if I was empty on the other.
Thanks for the quick response. First class 👍great channel
Hey dude.... was it the extra heavy duty pots 2.5 multi color ones? What tray was it?
Yeah that's them. This is the tray I used: www.bootstrapfarmer.com/collections/1020-trays-and-flats/products/1020-mesh-extra-strength-heavy
@@LazyDogFarm they are sold out of the 2.5 inch colored pots…. Guess ima go with black
@@LazyDogFarm I believe they are coming turtle express lol
@@LazyDogFarm the 2.5" pots you are using are SUNPACK step up pots, they are higher in quality than the other guys. FYI
Can you tell me why you like to top off after over bottom? I always hear to bottom water
I don't like the excess water in the bottom tray and having to empty it. I like watering over the top and letting it drip through. I err on the side of keeping things drier as opposed to too wet. I also get much faster germination via top watering.
Dose your wife have any canning recipes and do you have any sauce for tomatoes
We do have a pasta sauce recipe that was given to us by an Italian family, but they've asked us not to share because it's their secret family recipe. So we've respected their wishes. We do have some recipes on our website here though: lazydogfarm.com/blogs/recipes
I planted potatoes here in central arkansas on march 7th, and not one has emerged from the ground. Should I consider it a loss at this point and plant new ones, or wait a bit longer? I planted them about 6 inches deep, and waited 2 days after I cut them to heal.
I'd scratch around and see if they've rotted or are just being stubborn about sprouting.
@@LazyDogFarm they seem to be stubborn. I scratched around and the tuber is going up, but is still around 3~4 inches from the top. You think it was possibly too cold, and just give it more time? Thanks for your help!
Oh my gosh your taters are huge. Thank you and God bless
I am sure you don't wanna hear it, but I still really miss you being on the row by row show.
Thanks Matthew.
I’m here just to hear you say taters
I thought I was the only weird one that sniffs plants! Yummy!
I like rubbing my fingers on Rosemary and smelling my fingers
How is the trick of growing bell peppers my are not growing good . I plant seed and they are grow slow😊
How is the trick of growing bell peppers my are not growing good . I plant seed and they are grow slow😊
How is the trick of growing bell peppers my are not growing good . I plant seed and they are grow slow😊
How is the trick of growing bell peppers my are not growing good . I plant seed and they are grow slow😊
They like frequent feeding.