Question
I started various plants from seed on 1/2/2010. I thought I would get a very early start. I will be able to plant in garden in mid to late April. Some people have told me that I have started to early but I don't really understand why.

Answer
Hi Richard,
Thanx for your question.  If you have a greenhouse or indoor lighting setup you're okay but in the future, start tomatoes about 8-10 weeks before the last frost.  If you reduce temperatures to around 60-65癋, your plants will slow down growing and these cooler temps are actually better for them.  Same thing for peppers.  They actually benefit by not getting so leggy from warmer temperatures.

Here's the deal.  Tomatoes and peppers like to germinate in warm temps between 70-80癋.  Once they germinate, if the light isn't strong enough, they tend to get leggy and weak looking.  They will take longer to recover once they are planted outdoors and many of them may die.  You can reduce legginess by placing 40-watt shoplights about 8 inches above the plants.  Better yet, if you can find a heated greenhouse, that's even better.  I rented some greenhouse space the last couple of years and I get great tomato plants.  The greenhouse is a cool greenhouse where it is about 60-65癋 inside.  This helps reduce the legginess too.

 I hope this helps.
Tom