[gardeners] tomato seeds
B. Davis (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 25 Dec 1998 11:50:04 -0500
I just ran into an interesting phenomenon. About three weeks ago
we were due to have our first frost so I gathered all the green
tomatoes still on my few vines that had regrown after the heat of
summer and had produced tomatoes. They have been ripening in
my kitchen. Yesterday, I decided to save a few seeds from the last
of the ripe fruit I was preparing for salad. I scooped them into a
glass of water so they would clean themselves by soaking the slimy
coating overnight.
This morning, I poured off everything that was floating and dumped
the seeds on the bottom onto a thick layer of newspaper to dry.
Then I noticed that several of the seeds were sending out white
sprouts! So, now, about a month early, I've planted the sprouted
seeds. I guess I'll have to keep repotting them as they grow since
our frost-free spring date this year was in mid-April. Eventually, I
imagine, each one will end up in a gallon pot. Since I don't have
room inside for growing that size, perhaps I can put them outside in
the bright light during the daytime and put them in the garage at
night when frost is threatening.
Barbara Davis zone 7/8 southwest of Fort Worth, Texas
P.S. It's above freezing now, the sun is out and we're to have
gloriously warmer weather, maybe close to 70° F. by Sunday.
These last days when the temperatures haven't risen above freezing
have finished the plants which were still producing in my garden,
mainly sweet, yellow Italian peppers and a mixed array of hot
peppers. I only hope the small lettuce plants will continue to live and
produce salads for me in January.