In Search of the Early Tomato...I Cheated

[NJCher]

I bought two tomato plants that were already 3-feet tall from my nursery (hangs head in shame).



But I wanted an early tomato so bad and my seedlings were really little.

These tomatoes already have flowers on them and one already has two tomatoes on it. :bounce:

Together they cost me $30. :blush: :crazy:

I was very careful in my transplanting. I verrrry carefully spread the roots. I put compost in the hole that I dug for them, then I put a cage around them, and around that cage I put plastic, since we are having a very cool spring here in northern Jersey (tries hard to establish credibility as a Real Gardener).

I hope the plants give me tomatoes in the next month.

In addition, I bought a 10-inch tall Black Krim. And a San Romano.

Be gentle. :scared: I only wanted an early tomato!!



Cher

[ThomWV]

1. You have not shamed your self, think of it as a rescue

You did not buy those lovely plants, what you did was rescue them from a horrid life on a rack.

[MuseRider]

2. Ha Ha Ha! Good one! n/t

[Dover]

4. Yes indeed, a PETT advocate! My hero!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Tomatoes!

It breaks my heart to see withering plants on racks at some of these box-store nurseries that will never see their roots planted in the good earth or experience the loving care of a gardener.
I rescue plants all the time.

[Shoelace]

3. I have to admit, I did that too last year

I bought 2 strange, wonderful looking tomato plants that already had toms on them. Orange pear variety - Italian with a funny name so don't remember the variety. Just that I planted them with great care, babied the heck out of them, awaiting the arrival of tons of toms.
Well, the ones on the bushes did get ripe and I did get a few more but last year was a horrid year for tomatoes in Oregon or so I heard from fellow gardeners. We don't know if it was lack of bees for pollinating them or what?

Those Tomato plants cost me 10 bucks and at least I had that much $$ worth of fun just trying to grow them! I won't tell you how much money I spent on Heirloom toms that already had blossoms on them. I think it was around $25?
None of them except for Mortgage Lifter and a green grape variety did anything at all.

This year, I grew 2 varieties from seed: One was Oregon Early girl, another "Gold Nugget." Just planted them yesterday and now figure if they do their thing then good, if not - I tried!

See, you aren't alone~:hi:

[MuseRider]

5. Not cheating!

The lure of the fresh, tasty, tangy tomato that you can no longer get unless you grow them yourself is a strong one. It is almost a sin to not understand that!