Wahoo, we’re finally getting warm temperatures and our soil should be warm enough to plant those perennial (annual) favorites into our vegetable gardens. Click on the link to my Garden Bite with Teri Knight Spotify for the latest podcast.
In Minnesota we used to wait until Memorial Day to plant tomatoes and peppers, but, as our average temperatures have risen the last frost date has been moved to earlier in May. For those in Zones 4 and 5, the date is now May 6th – 11th, for those in Zones 2 and 3, it’s roughly 2 weeks later. It’s always a good idea to check your local weather. Another barometer is to check the temperature of your garden soil. Sixty-five to 75 degrees is optimal. If you plant when your soil temperature is below 55, you risk stunted growth and unhappy plant roots. Take the measurement down about 5 inches. Soil gauges are anywhere from $6 for temperature only to $40 for the 4 in 1 gauges that give you data on moisture, pH, temperature and sunlight level.
The following is listed at $35.99 right now on this website: Light in the Box
Years ago I planted tomatoes, during a show I hosted called DigIn Minnesota, with Mr. Tomato himself, Tom McKusick, the former editor of Northern Gardener Magazine.
Watch it HERE.
Tom says tomato plants will root from anywhere along the stem that’s in the soil, adding that they are heavy feeders. Snip the bottom leaves off and sink the plant up to 10 inches deep.
He adds a slow release fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes; bone meal for added phosphorus and fish emulsion. Although he actually adds a real fish head.
Drop the tomato plant into the hole, anchor it with some soil and then add about a third of a cup of bone meal and a third of a cup of worm castings.
Finish filling the hole and then be sure to add a cutworm barrier. I use the container my plants came in but you can use a yogurt container, a short piece of tree protector or any plastic barrier to keep the cutworm from lopping off your plant.
Stake or cage your tomato plants right away, it’s a lot easier when they’re smaller! Your plants will get better air circulation, have fewer pest problems and the fruit will ripen more fully with that room.
Wide green plant tape secures thick stems to the cage.
Prune all the weak side stems as they do not produce fruit but do take up energy.
Peppers prefer soil temps closer to 72 degrees. They are not planted deep like tomatoes. If temps drop below 40 after planting, then cover them up with a light cloth then remove it during the day.
There are so many varieties of tomatoes and peppers but a few of my longstanding favorites include…
Tomatoes: ‘Sweet 100’ cherry, ‘San Marzano’, ‘Grape Juliet’ roma, ‘Beefsteak’ heirloom, ‘Celebrity’ slicer and ‘Striped German’
Peppers: Sweet Bell of any color, and a mild chili pepper called ‘Italian Roaster’. I’m NOT a fan of the really hot stuff, however, YOU do YOU!