Planting Different Tomato Varieties

Since it's time to plant potatoes in the garden area, it's also the perfect time to start planting tomato varieties in the greenhouse. Here in Zone 8, the ideal time to start planting tomato seeds in the seed starting trays is around February 15th. Typically, the tomato seedlings will take six weeks to germinate which puts us planting tomato transplants in the soil right around the 1st of April.

Heirloom, Indeterminate

Amish Paste

Brandywine Pink

Cherokee Purple

Black Krim

Jubilee

Mortgage Lifter

Sweetie Cherry

Yellow Pear

Heirloom, Determinate

Homestead

Hybrid, Indeterminate

Black Cherry Zebra

Chef's Choice Orange

Sun Gold

Hybrid, Determinate

Mountain Glory

Celebration

SummerPick

Tachi

Red Snapper

Brickyard

Bella Rosa

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis has some watermelon radishes that typically have more of a bite than a normal traditional radish. The next crop that he has to show off this week is the Chioggia Beet variety. As the most visually appealing beet, this variety offers a less earthy flavor and a more sugary content profile than other red beets. As well another large cabbage variety, known as the Rio Grande which probably weighs around 15 to 20 pounds. The guys also do a little show and tell on the new seed varieties coming soon. The four new varieties on the site include Gentry Squash, Gold Star Squash, Pascola Zucchini, and Spineless Supreme Zucchini. As well as three new watermelon varieties which are supposed to be sweeter than our popular Crimson Sweet variety. These varieties include Dulce Fantasia, Sangria, and Jamboree watermelon.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about pelleted seeds, preserving corn seed, preventing mildew on cucumbers, and the best way to grow corn in the vegetable garden. Travis mentions that he thinks with pelleted seeds they may need a little bit more water than non-pelleted seeds. Also, with pelleted seeds, they don't have a shelf life that will last nearly as long as unpelleted seeds. Greg says when preserving corn seed for next season it is recommended that you keep the seeds at least 1600 feet away from other varieties to ensure they do not cross-pollinate. Once you gather the seeds you want to save you will need to place them in the freezer for at least two weeks to keep the weevils out of them. If you are trying to prevent mildew on cucumbers, Travis recommends growing powdery mildew resistant varieties. The two varieties we have available that offer this disease package resistance is the Diomede and the Max Pack. When growing corn, Greg mentions that you know when there is enough fertilizer because you can see where you've burnt the edge of the leaf a little bit. The way he likes to add the fertilizer in the garden is by putting down a balanced fertilizer and every other time hit it with a nitrogen source.

Product of the Week

Tomato Varieties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsqwo-5HSYY