A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum The Tomato Forum When to plant Tomato transplants?

Good Afternoon All:

Maybe someone out there can shed some light on an age old question, down here in middle South Georgia. I have just retired from the State, and along with a Partner, we are in the process of building BUSY BEE FARMS. We hope to specialize in Vegetable Plant greenhouse Production, A Crop Pollination Service and a Pick Your Own Tomato and pepper Division of our Farm.

The talk of our local Co-Op of Farmers and Vegetable Gardeners is when to transplant Tomato and pepper plants directly into the field. Several Farmers that have pick your own operations have lost a lot of money, over the last several years, both in the spring and Fall, with Frost Damage. I have lived all over our Great State in the last 20 years. It is evident that the climate is changing. We live in 8A. Any thoughts out there on this subject? This effects the Bee Operation also. That is, when you start new hives into production.

In my garden in CA,I set out tomato transplants in late April-early June due to a long period of heat.I grow 'Roma VF' and 'Beefsteak' tomatoes in my garden.

In CA,the weather heats up around July.I can possibly continue to grow tomatoes in mid-fall under cover.

Many Thanks for all your advice. We are going to shoot for the second week in April, this year. Also, we are going to plant a small field, the first week in April. greenhouse Production is also on the Board for the Fall, only in a small house this year. 8A is very unsettled, the last few years. Wish Us Luck.