Q: When is a good time to plant peas?
A: Peas are a cool weather vegetable. They germinate and grow best in cool temperatures. Early to mid April is the proper time in our area.
Q: What is hardening off for plants?
A: This refers to the process of accustoming the plant to outdoor conditions after it has been grown indoors. To harden off tomato plants, for example, move the indoor pots outside for increasing hours each day. On the first day leave them out for the morning and then move them to a shaded sheltered area for the rest of the day. Increase the outdoor time a few hours a day during the week ahead. That accustoms the plant to day and night temperatures and to the intensity of the sun. They are then ready to be planted into the ground.
Q: Should I prune my tomatoes?
A: Tomatoes come in two types, Determinate and indeterminate. The determinate varieties produce a single crop and should not be pruned. These include "Roma", "Tiny Tim" and "Floramerica". The indeterminate types continue to flower and set fruit all summer. They need staking. They can become sprawling. To keep them smaller and hence can be more densely planted staking and pruning will help. They will take up less space but also produce less fruit. Letting them sprawl has the advantage of protecting them from drying out and cracking.
Q:What is the best way to avoid tomato blight and wilt?
A: Annual crop rotation will help. These diseases overwinter in the soil and moving the tomato plants to another part of the vegetable garden will prevent that happening. Another good way is to choose disease resistant seed.