May 1st. That is almost always the night we hit 55. I've tried earlier, WOWs, ect, but they seem to sulk, and the later ones catching up. I put on pretty big plants though; I think they are gallon pots, usually from seed.

Like these

Two pot ups!

It gets very hot very quickly here, so I like to have the flowers setting some fruit before then.

I am in northern Solano County. More like central valley then the bay. Where are you?

Hi there!

May 1st sounds about right! I'm in Santa Cruz County. I haven't heard of Solano county! Just looked it up and I'm assuming it's a lot warmer there in May compared to my location?

Perhaps I'll go with May 7th. That's actually when my seedlings should be transplant-size anyways! I'm guessing it's not really worth it to buy transplants and plant them sooner than that.

Thanks

Hello! Daytime temps are probably a LOT warmer here, but daytime temps are usually not an issue. I think nightime temps might be similar throughout the the area. Not sure why I think that. Do you know your Sunset zone?

PS Solano County was one of the original counties!

PSS "I'm guessing it's not really worth it to buy transplants and plant them sooner than that".....probably not for earliness, but if you see something you like, and have the room and energy when the season gets going, why not?

I have WAY more plants than I have energy and space for. It seems all good now, but when it gets hot and dry here, I usually have regrets. I don't like fresh/raw tomatoes enough for 15 plants. I mostly prefer having roma to cook with, and I often just buy those!

Some of my seedlings this morning. I give most away.

ETA; I see your zone now. Is that Sunset or USDA?

I've never heard of a "sunset zone"! How does it differ from the USDA zones?

A LOT! Western areas have a lot of microclimates, huge swings between nighttime and day, and for most, not much concern of last freeze dates. The way I understand it, USDA zones are largely about last freeze dates. How long have you been in Santa Cruz? Are you familiar with the Sunset Garden guide? I moved to California from the east coast (to So Cal in 1988, No Cal in 1990), and USDA has little to no meaning for me anymore.

Sunset Climate Zones

It says Santa Cruz (where I've spent most of my life) is #17.

How do I use that number now when deciding what/when to plant.

It says the growing season here is February to early December. Does that mean I can put tomatoes out in containers now? Or only specific plants? I don't see that info on the website.

I usually plant the Sat before Mothers Day. I am in South San Jose. I have tried to plant early, early plants looked sick, later plantings out produced the early plants.

Tomatoes do not like temps under 50f.

a former co worker could plant in March and would have tomatoes by Fathers Day, He lived in Redwood City.

Based on my thermometer I am colder and hotter than the temps on TV ( downtown or airport).

this year, I was thinking about planting this week, but chance of cold nights this weekend, I will wait until at least next week.

San Jose is so close to me! Is next week early to you, since you usually plant closer to Mother's Day? Please give me an update in a month or so how they do!

I'm thinking of planting around Mother's Day actually because the nights should be at least 49 degrees by then, judging by average temperatures I found online.

I am in western WA (north of Seattle). I think our sunset zone is about 4. But right now I am getting ready to plant out.But a lot of people wait til Mothers Day.

My requirement is when the night lows will be above 37F(lowest) but average above 40F. And day highs over 55F (min) but mostly over 60F.

Our April average Lo-Hi are in 43 to 59F range.I start harvesting by mid July .

If you want to keep your plants warmer you can use WOW or cage wrapped with clear plastic for a while.

Sey

My temps are ~5-7 degrees lower than forecasts.

do you have an outdoor thermometer?

Hi Sey!

I envy that you are starting to transplant so soon! My seedlings haven't even sprouted yet. I do have a couple seedlings that I started in February that maybe I'll transplant outside soon to see how they fair and learn for next year.

What is a "WOW"? I'm not familiar with that.

Thanks

I don't have an outdoor thermometer...but right now I think it's too cold outside because the few seedlings I accidentally left outside at night look horrible and are absolutely tiny.

I live very close to the ocean (extra wind that's chilly) and we get a good amount of dewy mornings...so the seedlings have an extra struggle here if outside at night.

Hi TomatoZesy

Maybe you can try buying few from the nurseries as starter until your seedlings become plants. , I sowed the seeds on Feb 21st, almost 7 weeks ago.

WOW stands for Wall Of Water . It is a funnel shape product that you put around tomato plant (like a cage) to keep them warmer at night. Or just get some el cheapo 3-ring cages and wrap them with clear plastic. Then put a few 2-liter soda bottles (filled w/water) inside the each cage. It is even better than WOW, me thinks. That is what I do. Never have bough WOW.

Make sure that the bottle won't tip over on the plant.

Sey

So many options! I will think about both.

I'm just about done setting up a mini greenhouse so the option of saving $$ by using my seeds and the greenhouse sounds best to me. I will definitely plant a couple transplants out soon though...just to see how they do and I'll keep how they do in mind next year.

Thanks!

Any thoughts on whether using a self watering planter, like "earthbox", would effect night time temps?

Keep us informed! What are summer temps like in Hayward? I'm tempted to try black side up now, but I know I'll regret it when it gets hot. I'm sure I can come up with something, but not sure it's worth it.

I'm over in the Sierra Nevadas and I can't transplant yet. I looked up my zip in some "last frost" database and it said I shouldn't have any more frost after March 11. The windshield on my car was still frozen over come April, not sure if they're confused or I am.

anyway, I think I'll plant outside around early May when I typically purchase plants from nurseries. Then again, mountain life is a lot less temperate than coastal zones, so you might get away with it earlier. I'm no pro, this is just my two cents.