I put a mixture of potting soil and Jiffy seed starting soil into each cell. I like to mix the two because I find that seed starting soil is too light for watering. All the water seems to sit on top of the soil and doesn't drain well.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Fertilpots & Tomatoes
Last month, I won a giveaway for participating in Garden Chat on Twitter. Among the prizes was a set of Fertilpots cellpacks, which are biodegradable wood fiber pots. I was so excited to start seedlings in these fiber pots, I've never used these Fertilpots before. The cellpacks have 10 cells. I decided to plant all my tomato seeds in these. I'm a bit overzealous with tomato plants this year, Annie's Granny was my inspiration, she grew so many interesting varieties last year to taste them and weed them out, many which I never even heard of. She told me that she got her tomato seeds from the organization Wintersown.org, and I did the same this year, along with trading with other bloggers for the rest of the heirlooms I was seeking. I didn't grow up eating a variety of tomatoes, the only ones we ate growing up were the Romas and beefsteak. So when I discovered that there were hundreds of different varieties, oh my has my life changed! I love love love tomatoes, I can sprinkle then with salt and eat it like an apple. My husband on the other hand, only likes them in 3 forms... as marinara sauce, ketchup and salsa. He hates tomatoes in their virgin form, they have to be doctored up like no one's business. LOL. I planted a whopping 22 different varieties including Tiny Tim, Isis Candy, Chocolate Cherry, Black Mystery, Druzba, Green Zebra, Manitoba, San Marzano, Brandywine, Paul Robeson, Hillbilly, Cherokee Purple, Rutgers, Jaunne Flamme, Sungold, German Johnson, Giant Belgium, Hovarth, Palmira's Northern Italian, Pineapple, Purple Calabash and Persimmon. Where I will put these all will be another story... hahaha I can't wait to try all these different kinds of tomatoes. Yum!
I was so excited that two cellpacks fits in one of those Jiffy plastic greenhouses. I like using these plastic greenhouses because they have plastic clear lids, and therefore act like a greenhouse.
And here are the seedlings coming up. Each of these got repotted into bigger pots to get larger, and then they will be transplanted into it's final spot. Go Isis Candy go!
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22 varieties! Amazing! And people thought I had a lot at 11 varieties. Interestingly enough, looking through your list. We only have one variety in common (jaune flamme) so that makes 32 varieties between us and we still have barely scratched the surface. Too much fun. New to me varieties this year are Ananas Noire (pineapple tomato) and Crimson Cushion (an heirloom red beefsteak) I can't wait to see how your garden grows!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Twenty two! LOL, I only planted 12 varieties this year. Of course, I planted several of each, so I'm trying to find places to put them all. So far I've planted 19 of 24 plants.
ReplyDeleteYour Tomato Obsession sounds like mine! My hubby doesn't eat tomatos either, only marinara, my tomato jam and my bruchetta oh and salsa. Our men don't know what they are missing! My favorite tomato is black krim and the black cherry. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on other varities you are growing
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what ones you like the best-and which ones don't make "the list". And here I thought I was being brave this year trying five varieties. Sheesh!
ReplyDeletemeems, welcome to the "dark side"! You won't find me scolding you about all those tomatoes, it's a sickness, I think we all have it LOL! Always searching for new, different or better tasting, it's so much fun we can't help ourselves :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, lotsa tomatoes!! You'll have to let me know how the Chocolate Cherry turns out. I planted 3 cells and all 3 plants didn't make it. It was horrific! I really wanted to taste those tomatoes! You'll have to report back so I'll know whether it's a go for next year. I'd hate to be disappointed 2 yrs in a row if they don't turn out. Maybe I'll just sow 6 to be on the safe side. ;0)
ReplyDeleteI have a bit of obsession with growing as many different tomato varieties as possible! I just love the differences! Id like to hear your thoughts on yours when it comes time to put them to good use and eat them!
ReplyDeleteI grew some Tiny Tims last year, and they were the cutest little plants I have ever seen! They're great for growing in pots since they don't get very large, and the itsy bitsy tomatoes are perfect for snacking on.
ReplyDeleteWow, 22 varieties is a lot! How many total tomato plants are you putting in? I remember a few years ago looking through the heirloom seed catalog, I was amazed at how many varieties of tomatoes are out there; one year, we planted like 8 or 9 different types. We've since come to the conclusion that for what we're trying to do and for what we like, 3 or 4 varieites is enough (but we allocate space in the garden for a total of 30 plants).
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking in to see how your tomatoes are growing :)
I've never heard of Isis Candy....
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky! You win everything! That's awesome!
ReplyDelete