If you want to try starting your tomatoes in an indoor hydroponic system, try the Aerogarden Harvest System 👉 amzn.to/3CoGHKs As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you haven't tried the 'Paul Robeson' variety yet, you need to! Simply THE most delicious variety I've ever had!! HANDS DOWN! It doesn't like our summers, so it's best grown over the fall/winter (like most of the bigger ones) and they all succumbed to the root knot nematode problem I have here in the Port St. Lucie area, but I had over a dozen fruit from each plant before May ended. Started the seeds in March. I'ma try starting some seeds when the heat starts to break and see how they do! SOOOO GOOD! I need MORE!!
Another awesome video. I ran & got my notebook, lol. I grew cherry, everglade & Amish Paste tomatoes with success. I'm going to try one or two of the larger ones. Lots of information here. Thanks again.
So here I go down the rabbit hole…just dropped an aero garden in my cart from your Amazon store since I don’t have an indoor place with enough light and warmth to seed start indoors. I hope I can incorporate it as decor to look nicer than the plastic outdoor pots.
Hi Petrina, thanks for another great video. One thing I tried this year was putting 4x6 organza bags over my tomatoes and tying them as they were beginning to blush to keep the birds from pecking on them. It worked fantastic and I had no more problems. I also put out a few dishes of water for the birds and the bees. I was growing about 30 to 60 tomatoes at a time, so this was a super fast way of covering my tomatoes. They all ripened on the vine with no pest problems either. 😊
Very thorough information, thank you. Our family enjoys the Campari style and cherry tomatoes. Tried one year on the patio and it was a wonderful bounty. 😊
@maruiacancerc I didn’t see a ton of growth until about 9 months of publishing 2 videos a week. Have you checked out Think Media or Channel Makers? They give a lot of really good advice.
I’m still getting a few straggler San Marzano tomatoes and lots of cherry tomatoes as well as some Romas even in the dead of summer here in Texas. I’m very surprised. However I do plant mine in partial shade (they get lots of morning and evening sun but not midday which works wonders. However they were smaller and less fruitful than I wanted so I’m planning to grow some more in grow bags so I can move them as needed. I’m hoping Floridade and Homestead tomatoes do well for me here. Wish me luck! Btw, I started most of my fall seeds last year in hydroponics! It works so well here! I’m glad you suggested it because it made all the difference for my garden last year and I hope it helps others who may be experiencing troubles getting things to germinate in the heat for fall gardens. ☺️
It really is magic on getting seeds started. Especially difficult seeds. Can’t wait to hear how those varieties work for you. I’m sure they will do great!
Another well timed video, full of good info! I'm going to try Cherokee purple as the big slicer (I have yet to harvest more than one tomato per plant on larger fruited varieties, so keeping my fingers crossed), black cherry and Everglades as my standard, and the sungold, because yellow is fun! Maybe I should get a bigger Aerogarden, or another one, cause seed starting is so hassle free, and the seedlings have been so healthy (not to mention doing it all in comfort of AC). Thanks!
I just squeeze out seeds of my Everglades tomatoes in my shaded areas of my food forest or in potted plants. I found they make a better sauce/paste with half the seeds squeezed out. Now I have about 500 seedlings growing in the shade ready for transplanting. I did this in other states with my paste tomatoes but didn’t need as much shade. This works with indeterminate tomatoes in shade as they will slow grow in heavy shade until I need to transplant. Most will probably die in winter as lanky seedlings. Not enough neighbors garden or I would give them away. I will try other varieties next year but I suspect I will only have success with Everglades. I lack your gardening patients and skills and likely not do well with plants acclimated to the scrublands. I am having great success with hot peppers just throwing seeds in the mulch of shaded areas. I suspect I can do the same with eggplant too. Nightshades seem to transplant well.
Thanks for your amazing videos! I am a new viewer here and we’re in North Florida. I was curious what part of Florida you’re growing in? There’s a huge difference in climate between North and South FL.
You must’ve read my mind. I was wondering where to find a seed starting soil formula and contemplating trying a couple different tomato varieties and up popped your video. I’ll likely go with San Marzano because I was given some seeds and then maybe the Cherokee for a larger slicing tomato. I bought Everglades tomato seeds from David the Good but am reconsidering whether I want a plant that invasive in my tiny garden 🤔
I like this type of video. It makes it easy to refer back each season until you get the steps memorized. Are you planning one for peppers and kohlrabi? Hint hint LOL.
Thank you so much for your video. New Gardner here learning so much! I started tomato seeds outdoors in solo cups I moved them inside last few days due to hurricane into my shop lights w my cold season seedlings. Im in C FL Zone 10a. A couple questions as I’m prepping my raised beds (amending soul), 1. How tall in the solo cups before I transplant them? 2. I have 1 tomato plant 8” tall and 1 plant 4” tall am I supposed to kill the smaller one? 😢 Is this the same with other vegetables (collards, kale, lettuce, onions)? One plant per cup or pod?
Great questions. You usually want to transplant tomato plants once they are about 6 inches tall but you could totally wait until they’re a foot tall. If you have two plants in one cup, you will definitely want to eliminate one of them. sometimes that’s the smallest one and sometimes it’s the one that looks the healthiest. As for other types of plants like collards kale broccoli those are all one plant per cup. Some plants can be planted closer together but more like 2 to 4 inches apart which a solo cup is smaller than that. I hope that makes sense.
@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a thank you Petrina! Yes perfect sense. Ok not easy but tomorrow is the massacre 😢 I’m happy to hear tho I can wait til at least a foot tall on tomato plant (I have several smaller in 6 cups) as I need time to prep soil bed. After 29 years in IT Corp America. I’m finally gardening it’s been a dream doing what I love. Thank you for all your education helping me along 🙏🏼❤️
We must be twins. I spent about 23 years in IT Corp America, specifically healthcare. The garden gave me a calm, relaxing place to go to when the stress got too much. I think you are going to enjoy it so much (and it will be become slightly addicting, lol)
Should I be considering a different variety or type of tomato to transplant in September than I plant in February? More cold tolerant? Smaller? I plant in large containers. I think Neem burned my tomato leaves too. North Central Florida Zone 9a
I aim for smaller or quicker days to harvest just in case we get a cold spell in winter. If you start them in containers, you can always move them inside for cold nights to protect them.
Hello Petrina! I am in Largo, FL (zone 10a) and planted Matt's Wild Cherry tomato seeds about a month ago. Germination was no issue at all. The issue here is the seedlings have made literally no growth at all from once they germinated 3 weeks ago. Should I dispose of them? I didn't realize that this is more of a summer variety. And if so, when should I start new seedlings? What are your thoughts? I'm pretty disappointed in myself.
If they are still green and healthy looking don’t give up too soon. Try providing them some liquid fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen and place them in a spot that has all day sun. Right now it’s a little cold for tomatoes so they tend to grow slower. If you can get them some nutrition and warmth from the sun, it may help boost them along. Now is actually when we start our tomato seeds so you can start some more but I wouldn’t give up on these guys yet.
If you are three weeks past germination, they will need the nutrients. Normally they should be able to grow without it for awhile but I would give it a shot if they are stunted.
Perfect I did start some seeds they are about an inch tall so I wanted to start some more. I'm trying the Determinate for the first time. Thank you again for all of your great info!
If you want to try starting your tomatoes in an indoor hydroponic system, try the Aerogarden Harvest System 👉 amzn.to/3CoGHKs
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you haven't tried the 'Paul Robeson' variety yet, you need to! Simply THE most delicious variety I've ever had!! HANDS DOWN! It doesn't like our summers, so it's best grown over the fall/winter (like most of the bigger ones) and they all succumbed to the root knot nematode problem I have here in the Port St. Lucie area, but I had over a dozen fruit from each plant before May ended. Started the seeds in March. I'ma try starting some seeds when the heat starts to break and see how they do! SOOOO GOOD! I need MORE!!
I’ll definitely check them out. Thank u!
@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a You are most welcome! Thank YOU for all you do!!
Another awesome video. I ran & got my notebook, lol. I grew cherry, everglade & Amish Paste tomatoes with success. I'm going to try one or two of the larger ones. Lots of information here. Thanks again.
Haha! I try to squeeze a lot into a video lol. Let me know how the bigger ones do for you.
So here I go down the rabbit hole…just dropped an aero garden in my cart from your Amazon store since I don’t have an indoor place with enough light and warmth to seed start indoors. I hope I can incorporate it as decor to look nicer than the plastic outdoor pots.
When I’m not starting seeds, I sometimes grow wave petunias in them. So beautiful!
Hi Petrina, thanks for another great video. One thing I tried this year was putting 4x6 organza bags over my tomatoes and tying them as they were beginning to blush to keep the birds from pecking on them. It worked fantastic and I had no more problems. I also put out a few dishes of water for the birds and the bees. I was growing about 30 to 60 tomatoes at a time, so this was a super fast way of covering my tomatoes. They all ripened on the vine with no pest problems either. 😊
I might try that this year. Did you get your bags from Amazon?
yes
That was an awesome video. Beginner gardener and this had so much helpful information! Thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed!
Excellent advice! Thanks
My pleasure
How often do you water your raised garden beds, and how do you ensure good drainage?
During the winter about once a week. Summer is more like 3 times a week. I use some of the native sand here but you could also add perlite
Very thorough information, thank you. Our family enjoys the Campari style and cherry tomatoes. Tried one year on the patio and it was a wonderful bounty. 😊
The Campari is my absolute favorite tomato at the store but I have never tried growing them before. I’ll have to find some seeds for that one!
@maruiacancerc I didn’t see a ton of growth until about 9 months of publishing 2 videos a week. Have you checked out Think Media or Channel Makers? They give a lot of really good advice.
I’m still getting a few straggler San Marzano tomatoes and lots of cherry tomatoes as well as some Romas even in the dead of summer here in Texas. I’m very surprised. However I do plant mine in partial shade (they get lots of morning and evening sun but not midday which works wonders. However they were smaller and less fruitful than I wanted so I’m planning to grow some more in grow bags so I can move them as needed. I’m hoping Floridade and Homestead tomatoes do well for me here. Wish me luck! Btw, I started most of my fall seeds last year in hydroponics! It works so well here! I’m glad you suggested it because it made all the difference for my garden last year and I hope it helps others who may be experiencing troubles getting things to germinate in the heat for fall gardens. ☺️
It really is magic on getting seeds started. Especially difficult seeds. Can’t wait to hear how those varieties work for you. I’m sure they will do great!
Another well timed video, full of good info! I'm going to try Cherokee purple as the big slicer (I have yet to harvest more than one tomato per plant on larger fruited varieties, so keeping my fingers crossed), black cherry and Everglades as my standard, and the sungold, because yellow is fun! Maybe I should get a bigger Aerogarden, or another one, cause seed starting is so hassle free, and the seedlings have been so healthy (not to mention doing it all in comfort of AC). Thanks!
The comfort in the A/C really got me hooked, lol.
Can not wait to see what you're planting right now. Im in Orlando and I DEPEND on your videos 😅❤️
Awww thanks so much!
Very good video. Very informative. Thank you. God bless you and your family. Duane.
Thanks for watching 💚
Great info and well presented. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I just squeeze out seeds of my Everglades tomatoes in my shaded areas of my food forest or in potted plants. I found they make a better sauce/paste with half the seeds squeezed out. Now I have about 500 seedlings growing in the shade ready for transplanting. I did this in other states with my paste tomatoes but didn’t need as much shade. This works with indeterminate tomatoes in shade as they will slow grow in heavy shade until I need to transplant. Most will probably die in winter as lanky seedlings. Not enough neighbors garden or I would give them away. I will try other varieties next year but I suspect I will only have success with Everglades. I lack your gardening patients and skills and likely not do well with plants acclimated to the scrublands. I am having great success with hot peppers just throwing seeds in the mulch of shaded areas. I suspect I can do the same with eggplant too. Nightshades seem to transplant well.
They really do. Great trick!
Thanks for your amazing videos! I am a new viewer here and we’re in North Florida. I was curious what part of Florida you’re growing in? There’s a huge difference in climate between North and South FL.
I’m in Spring Hill which is central Florida. My winters lean towards north Florida and my summers lean towards South Florida in my microclimate.
You must’ve read my mind. I was wondering where to find a seed starting soil formula and contemplating trying a couple different tomato varieties and up popped your video. I’ll likely go with San Marzano because I was given some seeds and then maybe the Cherokee for a larger slicing tomato. I bought Everglades tomato seeds from David the Good but am reconsidering whether I want a plant that invasive in my tiny garden 🤔
Haha. I read your mind! Yes, the Everglades are like weeds!
I like this type of video. It makes it easy to refer back each season until you get the steps memorized. Are you planning one for peppers and kohlrabi? Hint hint LOL.
I actually have one that I did for kohlrabi about 6 months ago. I can definitely start working on one for peppers. You got it!
Thank you so much for your video. New Gardner here learning so much! I started tomato seeds outdoors in solo cups I moved them inside last few days due to hurricane into my shop lights w my cold season seedlings. Im in C FL Zone 10a. A couple questions as I’m prepping my raised beds (amending soul), 1. How tall in the solo cups before I transplant them? 2. I have 1 tomato plant 8” tall and 1 plant 4” tall am I supposed to kill the smaller one? 😢 Is this the same with other vegetables (collards, kale, lettuce, onions)? One plant per cup or pod?
Great questions. You usually want to transplant tomato plants once they are about 6 inches tall but you could totally wait until they’re a foot tall. If you have two plants in one cup, you will definitely want to eliminate one of them. sometimes that’s the smallest one and sometimes it’s the one that looks the healthiest. As for other types of plants like collards kale broccoli those are all one plant per cup. Some plants can be planted closer together but more like 2 to 4 inches apart which a solo cup is smaller than that. I hope that makes sense.
@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a thank you Petrina! Yes perfect sense. Ok not easy but tomorrow is the massacre 😢 I’m happy to hear tho I can wait til at least a foot tall on tomato plant (I have several smaller in 6 cups) as I need time to prep soil bed. After 29 years in IT Corp America. I’m finally gardening it’s been a dream doing what I love. Thank you for all your education helping me along 🙏🏼❤️
We must be twins. I spent about 23 years in IT Corp America, specifically healthcare. The garden gave me a calm, relaxing place to go to when the stress got too much. I think you are going to enjoy it so much (and it will be become slightly addicting, lol)
Petrina did you get cattle panels to "stake" your tomatoes? I' debating it. Thanks
I haven’t yet. This winter I’m growing in containers but next spring I’m planting on growing them up a trellis.
Should I be considering a different variety or type of tomato to transplant in September than I plant in February? More cold tolerant? Smaller? I plant in large containers.
I think Neem burned my tomato leaves too.
North Central Florida
Zone 9a
I aim for smaller or quicker days to harvest just in case we get a cold spell in winter. If you start them in containers, you can always move them inside for cold nights to protect them.
Hello Petrina!
I am in Largo, FL (zone 10a) and planted Matt's Wild Cherry tomato seeds about a month ago. Germination was no issue at all. The issue here is the seedlings have made literally no growth at all from once they germinated 3 weeks ago. Should I dispose of them? I didn't realize that this is more of a summer variety. And if so, when should I start new seedlings? What are your thoughts? I'm pretty disappointed in myself.
If they are still green and healthy looking don’t give up too soon. Try providing them some liquid fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen and place them in a spot that has all day sun. Right now it’s a little cold for tomatoes so they tend to grow slower. If you can get them some nutrition and warmth from the sun, it may help boost them along. Now is actually when we start our tomato seeds so you can start some more but I wouldn’t give up on these guys yet.
@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Thank you so much! If they still don't have a true leaf, would the fertilizer hurt?
If you are three weeks past germination, they will need the nutrients. Normally they should be able to grow without it for awhile but I would give it a shot if they are stunted.
@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Thanks. I've been growing them outdoors in the south sun, but I don't think the nights in the 40's have helped.
Petrina, is it too late to start tomato seeds now in our central fl zone? I feel like I'm behind lol. Thank you I really enjoy all of your great info
You have a little more time left but try to get them seeded within the next week and you should be good 😊
Perfect I did start some seeds they are about an inch tall so I wanted to start some more. I'm trying the Determinate for the first time. Thank you again for all of your great info!
You are so welcome. Good luck 🍀
مرحبا اتمنى لكي التوفيق
I just ordered Cherokee Carbon, sungold cherry and san marzano from botanical interests.
Great picks!