9 May 2007 Tomato in Garden http://tomatoss.notlong.com/ 9 May 2007 Zone 5. Three tomato plants were put in the garden. This is too early, since we may have frost until about the 24th of May. I have plastic covers, and can double bag if the frost is forecast as severe. The weather is very warm and if it lasts the plants will get a jump on the season. The pictures depict the support system. The cages are three tier and are stronger than the normal ones that have been on the market for too many years. The 8 ft. rebar supports the cage and adds extra height for typing the plants later in the season. The ties are similar to pipe cleaners of old, and are used to train the plant. Most of the weight is taken by the leaves being supported by the tiers of the strong cages, so the ties do not bite into the stem of the plant. This is the easiest system I have encountered over the years for supporting the tomato plants. http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html Durgan - Ontario, Zone "5"
http://tomatoesing.notlong.com/ 11 May 2007 Completion of Tomato plants in ground. There are now 22 plants about eleven types, and I have space for two more, which will be Lemon Boy. I forgot to grow from seed so will purchase. Most of the seeds were saved from last years crop, except for a few new varieties, which I will post when the fruit forms. http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html
Tomato Plant frost damage 14 May 2007 http://TomatoFrost.notlong.com 14 May 2007. Tomato plants were put in the ground on 12 May 2007. There was a frost warning so they were covered carefully with 4 mil plastic. Apparently this was not sufficient and the plants suffered severe damage. Today I went to a nursury and bought replacement plants, which I put in large pots and will keep them indoors until all danger of frost is past. My efforts to beat the season were in vain. http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html
Durgan==sorry to hear about the plants. I've usually been a gambler like you as well, tho our season here is longer and cooler, so planting early is necessary to even get close to the growth you will over there in tomato heaven. I do notice that poly, no matter what "mil", has little effect on radiation frosts. I believe the term "emissivity" or something similar describes the transparency to infrared which would relate to protection, or not, by something like poly, polycarbonate, glass, other coverings. There is a "thermal poly" specially made for greenhouses that is much more retentive of radiant heat. I would use polyester row covers for your purpose, rather than poly. Especially doubled, tripled up at night it can provide quite a few degrees of frost protection esp. on still, clear nights. I usually keep row covers constantly on most things until June, and the jump it gives is substantial here where many spring days are sunny but with cool winds.
15 May 2007. I tore the tomato patch up this morning. I kept three that have minor damage. I was surprised that my covers weren't adequate. It wasn't all that cold, but it was a very still night with no wind. I have had success before with such coverings to some degree. I look upon the exercise as just extra work, but I also don't have a couple of heirloom plants that I grew from seed, also the plants were highly advanced and most healthy. Better luck next time! http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html Durgan - Ontario, Zone "5"
Sorry to hear of your loss Durgan. Your plants looked quite spectacular when you planted them out - already with flowers and everything! I put mine into the greenhouse - more of a rain shelter than anything else - and they are contentedly sitting there deciding what to do next. The bottom leaves got a bit of sunburn but I hope that the nice warm weather we have had the last week or so will help to move them along.
