Hi I’m Erin and this is Our Wyoming Life
Transplanting of the tomatoes and peppers into the high tunnel will begin in 8 short
days.
In the meantime, they still require Erin’s attention daily in the basement.
Water, lights, fertilizer and more planting are some of the things that are on the daily
to do list.
The countdown to transplanting summer crops into the high tunnel is almost done.
April 15th is our target date.
Unless the forecast drastically changes between now and then I think we will be safe to move
the tomatoes and peppers out to the tunnel.
Unlike our lettuce, tomatoes are a warm weather crop.
They will not handle a light freeze at all.
The tunnel and row covers will offer some protection.
But if the forecast had lows down around 25 degrees I would hold off on moving them.
Patience is a virtue that must be practiced constantly in the garden.
Even though I remain patient that doesn’t mean there’s not constant work to do.
Everyday I make a trip to the basement and spend anywhere from 10-30 minutes with my
plants.
It’s been two weeks since our first application of fish fertilizer.
The plants are ready for another dose.
Every tray gets watered and fertilized.
Lately I’ve been watering every 3 days.
It takes 3-4 gallons to get everything a good drink.
While I’m watering I constantly am looking at the plants.
Their purple color has lessened, meaning that we have at least helped correct the phosphorous
deficiently that was present when we first fertilized.
I’m also looking for bugs or any other leaf discoloration.
The leaves are just a little yellow.
They are getting big and the reality is that they just need some real sunshine.
They will be just fine until we make the move outside.
The tomatoes are growing like crazy.
Almost everyday I have to adjust the lights.
I don’t want any leaves touching the lights directly.
They could get too hot and actually burn the leaves.
Another item that’s on my daily to do list is rotation.
I want to look at the overall health and size of the plants in each tray.
If I see that one side is taller and healthier looking than the other tray I will simply
move the tray so the lights are hitting the plants differently.
We want all the plants to be pretty close to the same size.
Next I will turn on a fan.
I move it around everyday so that different trays will be affected.
The tunnel has very little wind when we first transplant but I need the seedlings to be
tough.
The fan moves the leaves and simulates wind movement.
This helps make the seedling sturdier.
My fan has a timer and I usually only run it for an hour a day.
I will start increasing that amount now as we get closer to transplant.
A couple hours a day of fan activity will really help the transition.
As you can see I have more seeds germinating.
All of the cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and some basil were started just a few days
ago.
I am now within 4-6 weeks of them being able to go outside so it was time to get them going.
My peppers are getting bigger but I haven’t had time to transplant them yet.
This weekend I imagine I will get to them.
They are looking much better and have finally really started growing.
I mentioned in a previous video that they were struggling to push into true leaves.
I was talking with our local county horticulturist one day and she brought up the point that
they are warm weather crops and maybe my basement was just a little too cool.
Well I felt kinda like an idiot.
I knew this but for some reason it slipped my mind this year.
Of course the cool basement temps were my problem.
I promptly moved them back into the greenhouse and they took off immediately.
My pepper experience this year reminds me why I’m a Master Gardener.
I have no horticulture degree and most of my gardening experience before joining Master
Gardeners was just backyard gardening with my mom.
I joined the Master Gardener program officially in 2013.
As a master gardener you take classes and receive training to advance your horticulture
knowledge.
You then share that knowledge with the public.
One of the most valuable things that you gain access too though once you complete the training
is your fellow gardeners.
Our local group is full of a bunch of amazing people that love all different kinds of plants
and trees.
If you have a horticulture question someone in the group can answer it.
Our county is also equipped with a horticulturist.
Hannah is an amazing resource for me when I have problems.
Her position is based out of the county Extension Office.
If you are a beginning gardener with questions about your local area the first thing you
should do is visit or call your local Extension Office.
Extension offices are a wealth of knowledge and resources so take advantage whenever possible.
I wouldn’t be the gardener I am today with a successful vegetable business if I hadn’t
joined the Master Gardener program.
I simply can’t put a value on the knowledge I’ve learned in exchange for some of my
time spend volunteering.
If your area has an active group I would highly recommend joining.
Plus I guarantee you will meet a whole bunch of people that like to talk about plants!!
Plant people are the best!!
Spring has sprung in Northeast Wyoming and things are about to get really busy in the
garden.
We have just gotten started.
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We couldn’t do this without you guys and we are loving bring the consumer closer to
the producer.
Thanks for joining me in Our Wyoming Life.