This year we planted the following varieties: Roma, Creole, Black Krim, Big Rainbow, Cherokee Purple, Mortgage Lifter, Pink Brandywine, and Black Vernissage. All but the Big Rainbow seeds came from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - high quality open pollinated heirloom seeds that have great germination rates.
I get my seed pots ready by filling with seed starting mix. It is a light mix that doesn't pack and is perfect for getting seeds growing. Since I'll be bringing the seed pots inside, I line trays with newspaper to soak up any water that drips out. I don't want that getting on the floors and making a big mess.
One very important thing is to label each seed pot with the name of the variety and the date that the seeds were planted. I generally put 3 or 4 seeds in each pot. If you have them labeled, you will be able to document any seeds that may have bad germination. I plant quite a few varieties, so it is important to track which varieties do well versus those that don't.
Cherokee Purple has always been a solid producer for me. Well, except for last year. Nothing produced well last year. This year will be different.
It's not only tomatoes that I plant from seed at this time. I planted all of my peppers and eggplant seeds, too.
The early freeze in November knocked a number of my broccoli and cauliflower plants out. I'm doing a first for me this year and I'm starting some broccoli and cauliflower seeds right now. Normally, I just plant these crops in the fall. This year I will try them in early spring. I have them watered and covered with plastic to retain soil moisture. Once they are up out of the ground, I'll remove the plastic and position a grow light right above the seedlings. We'll keep you posted as they grow.
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