Seattle Plant Exchange

Shibaguyz Tomato Sale Today

Thanks to Cynthia for bringing this to my attention:

Click for SW Seattle Sale info

The heirloom tomato sale is from 11-4 today.  Several varieties mentioned at the West Seattle Edible Garden Fair are available....

Tomato Tips: Think "Accumulated Heat"

I'm addicted to this fabulous weather, and have been gardening from dawn to dusk.  Hence the delay in posting my notes from Saturday. At the West Seattle Edible Garden Fair, Willi Galloway presented Some Like it Hot: How to Grow Warm Season Crops in the Cool Pacific Northwest, from which I - who had never unintentionally killed tomato plants until attempting to grow three in Washington last year - took tremendous tips for growing healthy tomatoes in this challenging climate. A lot to absorb, so I'm going to break it up into several posts.  This first post is specific to tomatoes, fruits that thrive in climates with hot days and warm nights, not the warm days and cool nights we enjoy here in Washington. Last year, I ignorantly planted three tomato plants in one of the sunniest spots.  They hardly grew and yielded one or two dwarfed tomatoes before dying all together. The concept I have now adopted as my tomato mantra (Thanks to Willi!): ACCUMULATED HEAT.  Willi explained tomatoes like to be warm, which is somewhat dependent on the air (50-55 degrees Fahrenheit consistently, to be specific), but soil temperature is actually the most critical.  Beds must be warmed before planting the tomatoes. "How does one warm a bed of soil?," you ask...Well, that was the first question that came to my mind.  Here are some answers: How to heat a bed: 2-3 weeks before planting tomatoes... Weed thoroughly Rake soil smooth Water well (8-12 inches) Place 2 mil translucent plastic over the bed and make it tight with rocks or stakes When to plant: Conventional wisdom is a month or so after the last frost, which is too early. Planting in mid to late may or early June is best. Where to plant: In the sunniest spot you can find...but consistent watering is also crucial, so be sure to have a sprinkler system or soaker hose ready. How to plant: First, purchase stocky plants that are about 8 inches high, and have white, fleshy roots (but avoid root-bound plants, which may have less green leaves). Dig 6-8 inch trenches for each plant, 3-4 feet apart. Remove leaves from lower third/half of plant and place in the trench. Cover with soil and water thoroughly, including fish emulsion Install tomato cages on each plant Place a Wall O' Water around each plant (this is the best thing since sliced bread, as it accumulates heat during the day and keeps the plants warm at night) Throughout the growing season, keep the soil consistently moist and harvest when dry Rock phosphate and dry organic fertilizer can be added when the plants are a foot in height What to plant: Green Zebra Purple Calabash Stupice Legend Oregon Spring

Sustainability in SW Seattle

Behind the scenes, I am composing a number of posts simultaneously.  Most of the topics are related to garden planning (in addition to notes from the West Seattle Edible Garden Fair), an example of which I have observed evolving for several months in Arroyo Heights.

Which brings me to the question...Does anyone know the urban farmer who lives at 106th and 42nd SW?

I would love to feature him/her at www.SeattlePlantExchange.com as a gardener who has clearly put a lot of thought into his/her garden. (Not far up the street is a beautiful perennial garden worth mentioning).

I have watched the project evolve on my route to Trader Joe's, and it looks as though the entire yard is a vegetable and fruit garden.

Talk about sustainability!

Tomatoes: Seattle Best Practices?

Last year, in late May, I planted some mature tomato plants I purchased at the West Seattle Farmer's Market.  The spot I chose is sunny for most of the day.  I hoped for the best - tomatoes grow like weeds in Maryland, so I figured I wouldn't have a problem.

Wrong.

They never grew like my tomatoes back east.  I think I yielded one small tomato.  And all three of the plants died by September.

So what are the best practices for tomatoes in Seattle?

I'm guessing they have to be in a spot of FULL sun, but when should they go in the ground?  What is the best time to start seedlings inside? (I started some in March as an experiment this year, and one plant is barely hanging on).

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

There's nothing like homegrown tomatoes!