Hi Kelly,
I think we met at the Green Elephant last fall. I've WS'd tomatoes, and the plants did okay, but I had a very difficult time getting any ripe fruit. We just don't seem to have enough heat long enough. I haven't had any success with peppers. Extending the season and increasing the heat for the tomatoes with a clear plastic cover helped a lot. This year those are the only two things I'm starting inside on a heat mat. I live up in the Cascade foothills and lose a couple of weeks growing season off both the spring and fall frost dates so you will probably have a bit more time.

Barb -

Thanks so much for the advice! That makes sense and I will bring them inside. We did meet at the Green Elephant last year and I am still enjoying the thyme you gave me.

I've gotten into this WSing and am gung ho. I live on Tiger Mountain in Issaquah and it is good to know what I can and can't do though.

What do you consider your last frost date is? I always thought mine was April 15th but was talking to Chris at Squak Mtn nursery and she said it should be around mother's day. I have seen different dates around here. She also said I should grow brussel sprouts as a fall crop only because the frost gives it the flavor. It was a bummer to hear and thought I should get second opinions.

Thanks, Kelly

I think my "official" last frost date is May 15, but it can be anywhere from the first of April on. One year I had snow in June. I just go with the wintersowing and if I have a late frost, I throw Remay over the frost-tender jugs. That has worked well. The problem with the tomatoes and peppers isn't the late or early frosts - it's a lack of sun and heat. We have a lot of short, cloudy (foggy?) days up here which aren't the best for heat-lovers. Brussels sprouts seem to do well any time I plant them but to get really big sprouts, I have to plant them around June. The only problem I have is with cabbage worms and aphids.

Ok, great! Thanks for the good advice.