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Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

For the first time I am going to try to start my tomatoes, watermelon, and canteloupe from seeds. How long does it take from germination until these plants are big enough to transplant into the garden?

Mark

3/14/2007 1:04:02 PM

South East

my maters are going steady, germ them, then when they are about 5 weeks old give them a few night in a cold frame to make them"hard" then plant outside. some do it sooner, some later. Its pretty much up to you.

3/15/2007 3:21:01 PM

Bethlehem CT

Tomatoes 6-8 weeks before transplant date, (for medium to small plants) For really big ones start earlier.
Watermelons and cantelopes should be treated in much the way you would treat your AG pumpkins. Plant out after the plant has 2 or 3 adult leaves. Start indoors maybe a couple of weeks before planning on setting out. These grow fast and will get leggy especially if the temps are high. NOTE: On the back of most seed packets you will find information that is very helpful in regards to seeding, germinating etc.

3/15/2007 11:00:32 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Remember plants grown inside must be hardened off. The UV rays outside on a bright sunny day will fry them.

3/16/2007 7:55:13 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

This doesn't always work for tomatoes, but for smaller plants like peppers, I will put a plastic milk jug over the plant (bottom cut out) as a little green house when it goes in the garden. That has allowed me to directly plant into the garden, and not have to deal with moving plants in and out of the sun.

I use this for peppers, broccoli, cabbage, smaller tomato plants, cucumbers, squash, etc. It takes a lot of milk jugs, but I just rope them together and store them away for the next year.

3/16/2007 10:00:07 AM