Direct sowing tomatoes

[kabuti]

This year, as an experiment, hehe, we are direct sowing most of our seed right into the garden beds. We sowed Tomato seeds, Feb 23, during what has amounted to the last of our pathetic 'rainstorms'. Now, March 10, I saw one had sprouted & today several more. Since it will be in the 80's all week here I went ahead & planted a little of every other type of Summer veg. seed just to see what happens. Even okra. I have located a few volunteer tomatoes which are already over 2 in. high growing from the compost pile. The main reason I want to do this is to observer the how the plants do with a well developed taproot in order to cause them to be less stressed by the brutal Summer temps we have here in Central CA. I have also decided to cease tilling the soil other than to incorporate compost into the surface for the time being. What do you think?

[colorado]

I have heard of direct sowing of tomato seed. So it is done some places. Too short of season here. How I happened on this was hunting on Curly top virus and it said direct sowed tomatoes seemed to do better, but they thought it was because they were thicker planted that way and was able to get a stand in the field. I would agree that they should root down better. Keep us posted on how it works out.

[jack]

Gidday

It could help them if you get a clear drink bottle or something similar and cut the bottom out then put the bottle over where the seeds are to make like a little green house.