On our regular walks through our neighborhood (the best cheap date possible!), Ben and I have been seeing some lovely looking, newly-retrieved-from-the-garden-store, excitement-to-grow-food-filled tomato plants happily nestled into raised beds and pots in our neighbors yards. "But", I say to Ben, "it's only April!". 
I've noticed in my wee bit of growing things and teaching people in this world, that one of the leading causes of an abandoned veggie garden endeavor is unsuccessful tomato plants! Growing tomatoes in Seattle is totally doable, it just takes some classy techniques to be really successful. And one of those techniques is to put your tomato plants out when the overnight temperatures are pretty steadily around 55 degrees. This means waiting (I know, I hate waiting too!) until late May or early June to put your beautiful tomato starts into your garden. The starts should definitely be well on their way by this time...I like to plant out starts that are at least 9"-12" tall with good-lookin' leaves and some chubbiness to their overall look (aka super healthy!). If I'm feeling like getting my tomatoes started really early, and I just can't wait all the way til June, I put up a big cloche over all of my starts to warm the air and soil or my little tropical babies. This technique means that I do have to keep a very close eye on hydration, as the soil can dry out quickly under the cloche and while the tomatoes are small they need pretty consistent water. But the payoff can be earlier yields of my favorite food...That's definitely worth the work!
There are many more spectacular techniques and tips I've gleaned from my teachers and my relationships with many enigmatic tomato plants over the years. Let me know if you'd like a hand cultivating your own tomato-growing techniques and successful relationship with this juicy plant! Check out my mentoring and consultation services here!
With warm anticipation,
-Melissa aka The Flying Bear
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