Miracle-Gro - Week 4, Day 29

Nothing that new this week. The plants are growing up before my eyes. I used Miracle-Gro Tomato Plant Food mixed in with my water this weekend. I have read bad reviews of Miracle-Gro but my experiences have only been positive.

Update - Week 3, Day 21

Well, I'm already not living up to my promise. I took the pictures on Sunday but was too lazy to post (it's Tuesday now). I have done a pretty poor job of tracking my original plants but of the total I have planted and have physically made it so far (ones that survived the dogs and umbrella incidents) only 3 turned out to be duds. I think that's a pretty good germination rate.
Today I'd like to talk/post/quote wikipedia about the first 2 leaves called Cotyledon leaves. Here is the except from wikipedia:

A cotyledon (pronounced /ˌkɒtəl.ˈiːdən/; "seed leaf" from Greek: κοτυληδών kotylēdōn, from κοτύλη kotýlē "cup, bowl") is a significant part of the embryo within the seed of a plant. Upon germination, the cotyledon may become the embryonic first leaves of a seedling. The number of cotyledons present is one characteristic used by botanists to classify the flowering plants(angiosperms). Species with one cotyledon are called monocotyledonous (or, "monocots") and placed in the class Liliopsida. Plants with two embryonic leaves are termed dicotyledonous ("dicots") and placed in the class Magnoliopsida.

In the case of dicot seedlings whose cotyledons are photosynthetic, the cotyledons are functionally similar to leaves. However, true leaves and cotyledons are developmentally distinct. Cotyledons are formed during embryogenesis, along with the root and shoot meristems, and are therefore present in the seed prior to germination. True leaves, however, are formed post-embryonically (i.e. after germination) from the shoot apical meristem, which is responsible for generating subsequent aerial portions of the plant.

I find that pretty interesting and as you can see from the picture the first true leaves are forming!!!

Status: Truckin'

Part 2 Small Setbacks - Week 2, Day 16

As you know I planted half my seeds week 0 and then half week 1. The 1st batch I put in my fire pit which protects them from my dogs. The 1st half filled up the entire pit so the 2nd half was put on the ground. Big mistake! It got attacked by my dogs so I replanted. After learning my mistake, I moved the newly replanted 2nd half into my wheelbarrow away from the dogs. Today a freak accident happened. Our umbrella was knocked over by the wind and hit the wheelbarrow spilling 4 of my 2nd half seedling. Planting #4 will take place by the end of the week. It looks like a Yellow Pear, 2 Kellogg's Breakfast,  and a Green Zebra got taken out. Oh well, it's still early.

Brain Rot Not Seed Rot - Week 2, Day 15

As soon as I hit publish post on my last entry on Friday, I noticed a couple stems bending about to pop up. Today, Sunday, there are 9 tiny tomato plants poking above the ground of the first 14 I planted. I guess patience is a virtue I don't have.

The second set I planted is a week behind so I hope to see a few more break ground any day now.

Status: relieved, hopeful for the 5 slow starters.

Black Thumb - Week 1, Day 12

Well it's now almost been 2 weeks and I still have cups off dirt with no sign of tomato plants. Looks like I messed up. Did I plant the seeds too deep? (probably) Did the storm the day after cause seed rot? (maybe) Did I plant them a week too early? Were the seeds bad? Who knows?
It's supposed to rain tonight so maybe tomorrow afternoon I will attempt Tomato Launch #2. Same blog same place. I found this website about planting seeds that looks like a winner: http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/grow-tomato.htm
Status: sad, but still optimistic. I have seeds left.