I started a bunch of sunflowers of different varieties around the 1st of April. Began transplanting some in larger containers a few days ago. You can see some react over night in some cases to the transplant. Getting some sun will speed things up and strengthen them much faster then just sitting in a window. Too cold off and on here to put into the ground yet.

Gorgeous plants y'all!
Getting the itch to get into the soil.
If only I could trust it would stay above freezing.

Photo this morning.

smurf juice Swifty--great stuff.

Nice looking plants everyone.

Last year we planted the tomatoes on May 8th. We did just fine and with a small garden if weathah forecast calls for low temps we covah the tomatoes. The other plants we will wait another week or so.

One observation and experience I have had is the earlier I get tomatoes in the ground with larger plants the better and sooner we get fruit from them. Last year I knew many people that nevah hardly got a tomato because they nevah ripened. Right or wrong in my non science theory but seem to work for us year after year.

Our first frost on average is ~ September 17th. That can vary from one to two weeks eithah way from that September date.

Might have to try some earlier I do have some plastic tunnels for them to help warm the soil and keep the frost off.

Snowy what variety of tomatoes do you plant Im trying some Siberian this year they are a heritage tomato from Russia cant believe how fast they germinated 9 days vs 14 to 20 days for some others hope they do well fruit wise.

just broke down and bought a 4 ft light.ya'll are bad influences.

I don't we had seed from last year and can't remember what variety they were.
Montana Last & First Frost Dates
City Last Frost Date First Frost Date
Billings 5/29 9/6
Bozeman 6/19 8/31
Butte 7/1 8/23
Chinook 5/29 9/3
Choteau 6/8 9/4
Glendive 5/19 9/10
Hamilton 6/12 9/6
Helena 6/2 9/2
Libby 7/12 8/19

Look'in good guys

and man,are they proud of them growlights but i'v wanted one for years.

pcr2 >>> You might to have to think outside the box to make a cash with that growlight. Lol The right crop and would pay for itself pretty fast. Lol

aint got the berries for that but after seeing the price of plants in the greenhouses it'll pay for itself quick.

course my reality check today was 20 dollars for the wife and i at micky dees for lunch--light didn't hurt as bad then.

PCR2, I finally broke down and bought a 4 bulb 4ft light like 4 years ago. Then last year upgraded to an 8 bulb 4ft light. Like the 8 bulb way better, can run 4 flats under it. Normally start 250 to 300 pepper and tomato plants a year not including, everything else that goes in the garden. That table also doubles as my work bench and my fur table so that light comes in real handy throughout the year.

nice,mines 4 bulb but will add evntually i imagine.

Any recommendations on lights brands and what are the cost?? Are they more expensive to run than a normal tube light.

I was reading one of the mountain man books, cant remember which one, but it was noted back then tha t there were no young cottonwoods growing along either the missouri or yellowstone, I dont remember which. Makes you wonder why both then and now. There certainly was flooding in the 1840s

A half dozen small tomatoes on my plants now. I'm ready for real tomatoes, instead of the cardboard ones in the grocery stores, but still have to wait a bit.