No apparent frost here either, although I heard that just a bit northeast of us did get some. I haven't been outdoors yet to check on seedlings; I hope they're all okay.

we didn't get any either.. but my hellebores were limped over this morning

Karen -- I was going to ask if anyone has Tomato seedlings yet.

i did 1 gallon of about 13 seeds ... 2 types of seeds.

none have germinated yet.

I'm starting to worry as i told someone i'd have plants for them this year.

we had those 9 days of 80's ... a bunch of 70's
now we've been 40's - 60's and COLD nights.

I noticed i have volunteer Tomatoes in the bed where they were last year... I may transplant them.

Heading up north tomorrow for 2 weeks... i hope they germinate while i'm gone.

No, my maters are doing so well, either. I planted 8 or 9 cups, only 3 have germinated, I think. I sowed them when we had some early hot weather, then we returned to spring weather. It was 63° today, nights have been in the 30s. I'm wondering about those tomatoes, too. I might actually have to buy some plants this year. I haven't done that in years, I always wintersow them.

I had also promised Snow White tomato plants to friends, but that might not happen.

Karen

OK -- then I dont feel so bad... I still have hopes though.

Hee hee, do I get to feel smug? I planted 8 seeds (4 each of two types) and I have 8 nice little seedlings in my GH. Tomato plants DO like it warm!

No, I don't think you should feel smug at all, Woofie! You have a freaking greenhouse! We're trying to grow them under far more natural conditions. You only get bragging rights when you compare apples to apples.

When I grew toms inside under lights, on heat mats, they all sprouted and grew like weeds. But I have a few lighted shelves, mostly occupied by coleus which can't be grown outside in my zone.

When you wintersow your toms and get early, healthy sprouts, then you get to brag.

Speaking of which, I got one more tomato sprout today, so I'm at about 50% on tom germination. The weather is cold, wind pretty strong. Overnight lows in the 30s for the next 4 nights with a hard freeze warning tomorrow night.

Karen

** wicked grin ** oh yes woofie... no bragging rights yet.

I'm hoping to see something when i get home in 2 weeks.

I came up to Wisc - and brought a bunch of seeds with me. I looked in my bunkroom and i have about 10 empty gallon jugs... maybe I'll 'spring sow' instead of direct sow all the seeds i brought with me.

Ok. I won't brag or gloat or anything.....I'll just quietly munch on nice juicy tomatoes and not say a word.....

And there's no way I could wintersow tomatoes here.....at least not if I want tomatoes to eat! I have to start them indoors in January or Feb if I want tomatoes. We don't get volunteers here, either. Our growing season is just too short.

What are those Snow Whites you mentioned, Karen? Never heard of those.

Snow White, definitely my favorite to snack on. You should try them next year!
http://www.tomatogrowers.com/S...

Karen

Any ideas about what type of sage this is? The trade seed packet was labeled "Purple Bog Sage", but I'm not finding a match.

The only Bog Sage I know is S. uliginosa, maybe this is a purple varient.


Richard F. Dufresne lists a "Brazilian Bog Sage", S. uliginosa:
sky blue flowers (ATP Plant Database and DG Plant File photos also look blue)
full sun to half shade
likes moisture
somewhat invasive in rich soil
Sets seed well
Zone 6
aromatic shrub

Uglinosa, what a name for a flower.

Karen

Thanks, Rick. I looked at that one, too.

I think I've finally found it. Salvia pinguifolia; if so, I'm glad I found out now. I'm pretty sure that it'll need an entirely different site.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/pr...

Here's another image http://farmingtonsc.nmsu.edu/d...

Well, I have tulips coming up through frozen mud and ice. Good for us. I think they were growing even before I gently brushed back the snow --- and knocked off three or four tender tops. Drat! Lots of green stuff coming out of the slush and crud: creeping phlox, campanula, arabis, golden thyme, Pink Spire something or other. All evergreen. But flowers come on them first. My wintersowing has only had poppies germinate, and maybe nicotiana. My temp is only 40F this morning, was 29F when I got up at 7. but the inside of the portable greenhouse is in the 80's by day end.

Wow, quite a difference. How long are your days now, Mary?

Karen

Another frost/freeze warning tonight, reaching pretty far south this time.
http://www.weather.com/maps/ma...

Karen

It's 30° now, shouldn't get much lower as sunrise will be soon. I covered my WSown jugs overnight, just threw old towels over them. Warm temps from now on, I hope. Tomatoes I stuck in the garage. They definitely need some warmth to grow. Those that have sprouted are still tiny.

Karen

27 here afraid to go look
a lot of damage yesterday to plants the jugs were fine.

ferns