tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post7726771300213320017..comments2024-03-18T09:07:24.680-07:00Comments on The Farmer Fred® Rant: Now is the time to Start Tomato, Pepper Seeds...IndoorsFred Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-31738825279039613622013-03-26T13:47:58.483-07:002013-03-26T13:47:58.483-07:00My husband and I are transforming our yard into an...My husband and I are transforming our yard into an edible garden and have fallen prey to the too many varieties too soon issue. Our indoor nursery is covered with seedling, some of which are getting a bit leggy.<br /><br />Ah well, we will do better next year. <br /><br />Thanks for the helpful article.Tenesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038409845217250121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-24058444163854291642013-03-13T07:23:22.003-07:002013-03-13T07:23:22.003-07:00I always end up with 100 packs of seed on my desk ...I always end up with 100 packs of seed on my desk by January. Come April they are all put back on the seed racks. Every Garden Center operator I know goes through the same thing. Every one of us always thinks we will have plenty of time to plant seeds. But we forget about April, May and June.....<br />Greg Draiss<br />The Real Dirt on GardeningGreg Draisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939680032016280581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-83098659924325395772013-03-11T10:35:17.136-07:002013-03-11T10:35:17.136-07:00Great article. I thought I was the only one who pl...Great article. I thought I was the only one who planted too many tomatoes every year. "Bloody Butcher" was a winner last year. Great flavor and even earlier than "Early Girl". Trying a fairly new, super high lycopene hybrid this year, "Indigo Rose" (indeterminate, 80 days. I'd be interested to hear what other people in the area have tried and had success with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-41603542883932369912013-02-28T12:28:41.138-08:002013-02-28T12:28:41.138-08:00What a great article. Thank you. What a great article. Thank you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-17299928832574830322013-02-26T15:17:47.222-08:002013-02-26T15:17:47.222-08:00That would be an experiment, Bill. Don't try i...That would be an experiment, Bill. Don't try it with ALL your starts.<br />Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-87638511164636417072013-02-26T12:44:50.877-08:002013-02-26T12:44:50.877-08:00Fred, because I am still "sans greenhouse,&qu...Fred, because I am still "sans greenhouse," I will eventually face a problem that your greenhouse solves and that is the hardening off procedure. But, I got a very good tip from a gardener back east. He made the argument that it's very hard for people who are not home all the time to get the hardening off process right. He's right. There aren't enough hours in the day. So, he puts his plants outside immediately, but then covers his seed starting rack with 4 ml clear plastic cloth sheeting that you would find in the paint department at any big box store. He says it's thick enough to block those harmful UV rays that result in burned leaves and shocked plants, and the best part is you don't have to move the plants in and out. Put them outside, cover them, lift cover to water, and in a week the plants are acclimated. It's something I'll try this year.Bill Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11816389236294882066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-30947931707472014892013-02-26T09:19:23.463-08:002013-02-26T09:19:23.463-08:00Maybelline, I just found out they fixed it. Someti...Maybelline, I just found out they fixed it. Sometimes, the Internet is not so swell.Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-10241878880188485562013-02-26T08:55:48.008-08:002013-02-26T08:55:48.008-08:00Say, I just went to play your most recent broadcas...Say, I just went to play your most recent broadcast and found it to be the real estate hour. Disappointment.MAYBELLINEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09459481721591224275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-62436719510923488662013-02-26T08:49:02.025-08:002013-02-26T08:49:02.025-08:00I enjoy all your tips and reminders along with you...I enjoy all your tips and reminders along with your broadcasts and podcasts here in Bakersfield, CA. The Internet is swell.MAYBELLINEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09459481721591224275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-8640117511897407082013-02-26T07:57:58.758-08:002013-02-26T07:57:58.758-08:00Thank you for listening to the radio shows! I'...Thank you for listening to the radio shows! I'll be in your area (sort of your area) on Sat. Apr. 27 at Mendon's Nursery in Paradise, 1-3 pm to talk about vegetable gardening.Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-52832788143457140562013-02-25T21:13:59.524-08:002013-02-25T21:13:59.524-08:00I have the same problem of starting way too many p...I have the same problem of starting way too many plants and limiting my varieties of tomatoes, how can you when all the descriptions sound so good. I am experimenting this year with starting seeds in the foam trays with the spongy inserts, I got mine from Gurney's when they had a 50% off sale. So far the lettuce I experimented with had great roots and transplanted really well and is growing great. Just planted a whole tray of tomatoes and one of half peppers and basil last week.<br /><br />I have to tell you that I talk about your radio show at work constantly and am often heard to say, "Farmer Fred says..." I always hear good things from your show and since we are in similar zones (I live in Shingletown and work in Redding) your advice always is applicable here! I always plant around Mother's Day since I am about 10 degrees cooler than Redding most days. I think I stopped at 19 varieties of tomatoes this year...not sure where they will go, but they always seem to find a home. My best crops last year grew in a flower bed amongst the flowers. fernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com