Planting Tomato in Feb/March

[Mud-Dabber]

Normally if I try and do anything I make sure I have some Walls O Water around the tomato plants due to late freezes in this part of Texas. While at the nursery yesterday the owner told me about a fellow that bought 3600 plants last year at this time of the year. (Can you imagine that many tomato plants) Anyway, he said the man, told him that he took post hole diggers and made a hole for the plants and buried them down in the hole adding dirt as the tomato plant grew over time, he would place a flat rock or a plastic lid over the plant when there was any danger of frost rather than trying anything with Walls O Water.

Question, any of you gardeners ever tried that planting method or do you have something more innovative??

Thanks,
Ron, Mud-Dabber

[Jerry]

Sounds like it would work. My grandfather was a farmer and I grew up farming.

We truck farmed and grew lots of vegetables. We had too many to worry about keeping them from freezing. We just planted when we thought we were past a frost and crossed our fingers:D

I may try that. Thanks,

[Mud-Dabber]

March 1, 2009 update

Low last night was down to 23 degrees here in Abilene, with below freezing temps from 10:00 p.m. until 9 this morning. Both the Wall o Water and the post hole tomatoes made the low temps in flying colors, not one single plant affected.

Mud

[Jerry]

Good deal. I've got onions out now but nothing else yet. I better get tp planting I guess.

[Mud-Dabber]

Dang, the Celebrity Tomato plants both in the Walls of Water and in the holes, have started blooming in the last 3 days. If everything can make it through this next cold front, I might have some early tomatoes, of course the old timers say wait until Good Friday, so I might be counting my chickens before they hatch. Peas are up and at least 6-8 inches high and thriving in this cool Spring weather. It took 14 days to get the squash germinated and it is forming it's third leaf.

Good Fishing,
Ron, Mud-Dabber

[Mud-Dabber]

May 25, 2009

Pulled 1 large Celebrity and 6 Cherokee Purple tomatoes today. Earliest I have ever had tomatoes. The Wall of Water was worth it.

Ron

[Fishin'aholic2]

My grandpa picked his first yesterday. They were bright Red.

[Beltonbanger]

....and with my conventional way...........I'm still waiting!!!!