I'm in USDA hardiness zone 6b, and I started my tomatoes and peppers in mid-February. I'm planning to move them outside around mid-May. They seem to be growing much faster than I expected, especially the tomatoes. I'm just wondering if there are any issues with them getting too big before I transfer them to my raised beds?
3 Answers
I’ve run into this too! I usually start peppers in late January but wait until mid-February for tomatoes. They can grow really fast under the right conditions. But if you’ve got space and can up-pot them, they'll be fine. Just remember to keep an eye on them, so they don’t get root bound in their pots.
It's totally possible to start too early, especially if the plants get too big before moving them outside. You've got to consider possible transplant shock and they might outgrow their pots. However, with the right care, like keeping up with repotting, you should be alright! Just do your best to manage their growth before planting out in May.
Thanks for the heads-up! I was hoping I could harvest a bit earlier this year, so I’ll keep an eye on them.
Yeah, starting your peppers earlier than your tomatoes makes sense! I usually kick off my peppers 3-4 weeks before my tomatoes. If I do tomatoes in February, they're just too massive by May. I'd recommend waiting until late March for the tomatoes to avoid them outgrowing their pots too quickly.
Thanks for the tips! I’ve been up-potting a lot, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.