Finally a bit of garden excitement despite the continual dreariness of the weather! My first tomato seed has started to unfold! Its so tiny!!
I have mentioned before my very bad track record with starting tomatoes from seed – so I am full of hope today! These seeds are an heirloom variety – beefsteak- given to my by my sister Michelle.
I got a funny message from my other sister, Rosemary today stating “I think I need to be paying a fee to be related to you”
Puzzling, but I immediately asked how much?? 🙂
Turns out Rosemary is taking Emma over to Japan for Christmas (big sister envy) and she emailed a guesthouse in Osaka to make a booking. They actually weren’t taking booking yet for that time however “you’re the sister of Lisa from Tasmania aren’t you”? And reserved them a room even though their books aren’t open yet!!
That made me laugh. I must have made an impression!! 🙂
Anyway – back to the rain and gloom of Tassie! The forecast drops back to ‘cloudy’ for a few days then back to ‘Insane-Build-An-Ark’ weather
Still… our new manferns are loving it
I made a recent discovery on how useful a pump bottle was to water seedlings!! I am a bit of a fan now! My watering can is not so good for watering little seedlings – its apt to come out in a deluge (and lets face it – I am rather over deluges!!) and wash away all the seeds or upset them! I tried a spray bottle, but at the risk of sounding lame, it was just hard work and made my hand hurt! (wah wah). Anyway, these bottles are fabulous… the nozzle keeps the water in check and they are easy to squeeze to sprinkle what water I need into each pot.
Hope everyone is staying drier than we are!
Cheers!
Hi Lisa,
Sorry about hear about your wet weather, but after months of drought here, I’m not sure which of us has it worse weather-wise. I, too, always struggled with growing tomatoes from seed. I recently discovered that by throwing the mushy organic store-bought ones I buy into the compost, they would sprout and become volunteers each spring. (I move my compost bin from side to side so they would grow both inside and outside the bin.) I simply take the sprouted seedlings and move/plant them in the vegetable garden to enjoy free tomatoes each year. This has been working for the last few growing seasons. I also discovered I’m not the only lazy tomato gardener. Mike from mikesbackyardnursary.com wrote this little “how to” article on tomatoes which validated my cheater growing style. If you want heirlooms, I guess this would only work if you already have one.
http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/03/grow-tomatoes/
Hello!! Yes, I agree drought is horrific… I feel guilty every time I whinge about the rain!! When were were living in Canberra it was over the 10 year drought period. Was awful. Our last summer was rainless as well!
Seems we are either getting baked or drowned!!!
Its crazy how neglected seeds just pop up and do fine all by them selves! That happens now every year in the hothouse and a few in the garden. The only drawback last year is that 99% were cherry tomatoes, so I am aiming for some bigger varieties this season. Thanks for the link – will check it out.
My hothouse tomatoes are going along beautifully – hoping to get some laterals (suckers) off them soon.
Surprise compost plants are the best!!
I did notice this morning a bunch of other tomato seeds have popped up, so I am a bit thrilled about that! we shall see how they go! 🙂
Love your blog! I came over from Mavis’ blog and subscribed! yay! I am in Florida so we do get a long gardening period, but right now we are battening down the hatches from a hurricane, lol.
Hi Bobbi!! So glad you came over to peek and subscribed! Thank-you!! I am dying for our weather to improve – there has been brief moments of sun so far today so going to try for some gardening!! But we don’t have to contend with a hurricane!! Thats a bit scary!!! I really hope it doesn’t do too much damage!! Stay safe! I’ll be watching the internet for news!!