Question
QUESTION: I understand about Epson salts with plants.  But do you water the seedling with it?  If not how early do you start spraying the plants with it?

We want the big this stemmed plants which we have never managed to grow.  Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Patti,
Thanx for your question.  I've heard about the use Epsom salts in the past but have never used it.  I know it's one of those things that is preached about by one of the garden celebrities.  To start tomato and pepper seeds indoors I just use some potting soil I buy from Walmart or one of the hardware or Big Box stores.  I use 10X20 black flats and either paper pots or you can recycle plastic pots and use those.  Put the seed down on the soil and then cover with about 1/4 inch of soil.  Keep moist but not soggy and keep warm.  Initially, the seeds will germinate at warm temperatures 75癋 (24癈) but then once the seedlings sprout, it's actually good to put them in a cooler environment say 65癋(18癈).  I put my seedlings under 40-watt shoplights that you can get for $10-$15 a piece.  Suspend 8 inches over the plants.  When seedlings have their first set of true leaves (the first leaves are seedleaves and will eventually turn yellow and wither.), gently prick the seedlings out and plant in separate cells.  If you have access to a greenhouse at this point, that would be better, otherwise, you'll need to wait until after the last frost to set them outdoors.  When setting outdoors, they need to be hardened off or the sun will fry them.  To do this, place the seedlings in the shade for about 10 days.  After that, they will be fine.  Use composted cow or horse manure dressed along the sides of the plants.  You can also use fish emulsion which can be found in concentrated form in most nurseries.  You should be able to get nice plants using this method.  Where are you located?  There are some parts of the U.S. that have unusually poor soil.  Have you had any soil tests done?  You can usually get your local County Extension agent to run tests for you for about $15 or $20.  There are also do-it-yourself (DIY) tests available at nurseries.  Let me know your state and county and I'll see what else I can turn up.  If you're in Canada, give me your province.
thx,
Tom  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in a suburb of Milwaukee WI.  Last year we had our soil tested in March and they said we didn't need to add anything.  We had already added a pkg ofMoo Nooer, plus some 10-10-10 and home grown compost the fall before and rototilled it in.  So it was good dirt they said.  We sent it off to Madison in a sample kit they sent us.

We had great tomatoes, but we see these big hearty stemmed tomatoes in stores and I don't know how they get them like that.  Last year we planted the seeds in mid March.  This year we planted them Feb 14th.

Answer
Hi Patti,
Thanx for the follow-up.  It sounds like the soil and conditions are above average in your area.  Now, what you might want to consider is looking for cultivars that are rated best for Wisconsin.  Check out the University of Wisconsin Extension Service offices for the Milwaukee area.
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/quad/
These people can provide you with a wealth of information for local growing conditions.
Try the Wisconsin Forum at Gardenweb.com.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wisconsin/msg1214210119317.html  There are ongoing discussions about growing in Wisconsin that may be valuable to you.
Wisconsin 55 is a tomato variety that was developed at the University of Wisconsin.  Here's a link.
http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1059(OG)
Seed Savers is a dependable and honorable organization with which I have had the pleasure of dealing.  I've bought many a seed from them and they are located near you at Decorah, Iowa.  There are other vendors who sell Wisconsin 55 seeds.  Just do a Google search.
By the way, starting the seeds on the 14th of this month is perfect for your area.  I hope this helps.
Tom