Each year I plant my tomatoes in early May but they don usually start producing until September. If I construct a protective tent out of clear plastic, can I plant them out earlier?
A plastic cloche will allow slightly earlier planting, but only a week or two at most. The real benefit will be that the extra warmth under the plastic will make the plant grow better and set fruit earlier. Peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and squash also benefit from this kind of protection in spring. For more abut ways to grow heat-loving crops in our cool climate, see Enhancing Heat. Make sure you are growing a “short season” or “early” variety of tomato. Many of the big, beefsteak types, that are popular elsewhere, will not mature in our area. ‘Early Girl,’ ‘Stupice’ and ‘IPB’ are three reliable, short-season varieties. For more about choosing the right tomato, see Tomato Varieties.
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