Yesterday I woke up at 2 am. Crazy, I know, but I had to pick Hulda up at 6:30 so we could catch the 7:20 ferry to Seattle for our segment on New Day Northwest and there was a lot to get done before we left.
So when I got home around 2pm, it was no surprise that I totally crashed for a couple of hours.
And when I woke up, all I could think about were the heirloom tomato plants sitting in the greenhouse waiting to be planted. So what did I do? I planted 8 of them in the garden even though I know it’s totally too early to be planting tomatoes outside.
I don’t know what came over me. 
What is it about this time of year that has me so hopeful?
It’s like I have no self control and I have open all the seed packets I’ve been staring at all winter long and get them into the ground before my heart explodes. 
I love this time of year. And who’s to say tomatoes, beans and cucumbers need to all be planted on a particular day? What if this is the year we’ll have a perfect summer and it will pay off to get those plants and seeds into the ground a few weeks early?
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand it anymore.
I going to get all my seeds in the ground this weekend.
All 52 million packets of them and hope for the best.
~Mavis
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Lorinda McKinnon - the Rowdy Baker says
I go through the same struggle every year! Last year we had a heavy frost and hail in JUNE that wreaked havoc. (We’re in Eastern Washington) I try to be satisfied with getting peas and onions in the ground and nurturing the little seedlings inside the house. One year we planted early and did get lucky – it was an unusually early Summer. So it can happen. Fingers crossed for those tomatoes!
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
Fingers crossed is right!
Natasha says
I planted my tomato plant outside at this time last year, and they did fine. I planted my tomato plant outside this past weekend, and its fine so far as well…. we dont expect any freezing temps anymore, so why not? (I live in the same area as you)
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
Okay that makes me feel better!
Carolyn says
ME TOO. Terrible terrible, wonderful idea. My tomatoes have been out for a week and they’re alive :), if that makes you feel better.
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
It does, thanks!
Dawn says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the smile on Lucy’s face! We have a dachsi that smiles like that when she’s running around and playing.
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
She is so happy running wild and free!
Madam Chow says
I love that Lucy! The joy she has is contagious.
Diane says
One thing you can do is to wrap your tomato cages with the cheap painter’s plastic drop cloth. Leave it open at the top.
Basically you are making a greenhouse effect. I leave these on until July 5th as everyone knows that is when the summer arrives in the Pacific Northwest:-). A cool side benefit is the plastic keeps any water from splashing water on the plants when watering.
I’ve used packing tape to attach the plastic to the cages…but even better are those little black with silver handles paper clips.
Also since you have so many varieties, you might consider taking a wooden clothespin, write the plant name on it, and attach that to the top of your cage. Best gardening wishes to all!
randy says
I like this idea… I live in Maine
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
I’m with Randy! I love this idea too!
Dale says
I planted my toms on sunday, monday they looked sick so I set up a row cover open on both ends and they look much better. Have to go out of town for 2 weeks and hope they survive. I have the same feeling as you and want to get everything in the ground NOW! Trying to be patient. It’s hard!
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
Being patient is so hard, especially when you have a few beautiful days and it seems like summer is almost here!
lynne says
You Go Girl!!!! we are still in the 30’s & 40’s here for highs…no seeds even started yet in Northern MN! Love the Lucy Puggle Dog pics…what a crazy girl she is!! 😀
Mavis Butterfield says
She is a total nut. Last night she did her “fun run” for a good 5 minutes. 🙂
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Good for you!! I am dying to get my plants in the ground! I used a homemade grow light this year for the first time and holy moly what a difference that has made. I could have waited another month to start my seeds (I started them a month later than last year too) because my plants are soooo tall. But here in the North Pole…er….Upstate NY…it’s just not safe for at least another week or three. I can’t wait to spend hours in the garden every day soon though!!
KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
How did you make your grow light?
randy says
Watch the 5 day forecast. It it looks like 40 or lower… throw sheets and towels and old bedspread over them in late afternoon. . It will keep them. Also If something does get frosted spraying water on it BEFORE the sun hits it can save it. Ask me how I know? Mz Randy who lives in the north lands.
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
Spraying with water, huh? You learn new things every day!
The Couch Potato says
Last year in the community garden my neighbor planted her tomatoes weeks early. I could hardly believe it, but then we had an early summer and her plants produced buckets more than mine did.
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
I hope I get that lucky.
Cecily says
For 20 years I’ve planted my tomatoes around the fifth of May and I have never lost one to frost (I also use raised beds). As randy suggested I have a couple of old sheets that I will drape over the cages at night if the forecast calls for lows in the 30’s.
Melissa Doroquez says
Mine are all out of the greenhouse. The determinate big ones are in their 5 gallon pots where they will stay. The indeterminate a are still small, weird. But, they haven’t been planted in the raised beds yet. Half are covered by clear cups, bottles, greenhouse covers. Guess we’ll see. As soon as frost was over, I couldn’t stand it anymore and gave them their true climate. Wait til July 5th? No way! I’m in Redmond, same deal.
Sindy says
Oh Lucy She is a crack-up!
OneHundredDollarsAMonth.com says
She so is! We love her!
Ln says
Gardeners are born optimists. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
I agree! 🙂
Christine says
I did the same thing yesterday and planted about 30 pepper an chili plants in the ground… And now they’re calling for dressing temps and snow on Mother’s Day( usually denvers safe date) Luckily they’re small enough to cover with styrofoam cups at night.
Trish K says
I suffer the same urge to plant too early. I blame this on the evil seed catalog people, who send you beautiful catalogs in the dead of winter, knowing you are most vulnerable. It’s their version of mind control, and it works! It also carries through the whole season, causing victims like you and I to buys seeds we don’t need and do not have room to plant. Really, I think this should be recognized as a legitimate illness, so I can retire from working and stay home and tend to my gardening disease.
Diane says
My earlier comment ‘re July 5th is when I remove the plastic from the tomato cages. The plants are outside in their raised beds.
If we have a warmer June than usual I may remove the plastic earlier. I’ve found that fruit will set earlier thus a longer producing period.
I should also say that my gardening micro-climate is breezy most of the time.