Greetings from Acton, MA by the way of NJ

[ponyexpress]

Found this forum on Reddit when I was trying to figure out why my registration was not going through on Tomatoville. First I was using my gmail address and never got the confirmation email (checked spam folder). Then created another account using my outlook account. Got the confirmation email but never got activated. Few searches later, saw the Reddit post that the forums were going to be shut down at the end of the year. If there's a thread discussing the reasons for it, please point me to it.

I've been gardening actively for about 5 years but started ~27 years ago but took a long break due to dating/marriage/kids. I have 2 large community garden plots, 16 raised beds at my house, and I'm also involved with some shared community areas (we're growing corn this year).

I have an interest in alliums (grow ~12 different garlic, 2 different shallots, 10 different onions), dahlias, hostas, strawberries (4 different varieties), raspberries (2 goldens, 1 red) and tomatoes (8 varieties).

One of my friends like telling the story of me (fresh out of college and at my first job) keeping seedling trays of tomato plants to the office to use the office lights. That was my first start into gardening. The tomato plants (I think they were all Roma) were weak and spindly and I doubt that I hardened them off but I do remember getting lots of tomatoes in my community garden plot.

Fast forward to 5 years ago, I started vegetable gardening again and constructed 2 raised beds (4'x10') at my house. That quickly became 4, then 8, 10, and now has been 16 for a few years. Three years ago, I decided I need more space and got a community garden plot. Wow, what a difference because it was a former farm. I would get full sun from 5am until 8pm at summer solstice. At my house, I probably get 8 hours of full sun at the peak due to the trees around my property. Just this past year, I got a second community plot. Enjoy being outside since I work an office job.

My username is one of my favorite tomatoes: Pony Express. The tomatoes I'm growing this year are: Pony Express, Roma, Brandywine, SunGold, Rutgers, Polish Linguinca, Boxcar Willie, & Jersey Giant.

[Setec Astronomy]

Welcome to the forum from NJ by way of NJ! I also wound up here after trying to join that other forum.

[Whwoz]

Welcome to the Junction from Down Under Pony Express. No thread specifically discusses the reasons for what happened at TV, but basically there was some garbage going on between a couple of members that was made public, Mischka did not like it, threatened to shut TV, Rajun set up this site, initially with Mischka support, it's success got Mischkas nose out of joint again and he kept TV going.

[AZGardener]

Welcome to the Junction! We're a friendly group and you'll find lots of great information here.

[eyegrotom]

Welcome to the Junction

[ponyexpress]

Welcome to the forum from NJ by way of NJ! I also wound up here after trying to join that other forum.

I grew up in S. Plfd and went to Rutgers for my BSEE. Moved to Mass 4 days after graduation and have been here ever since. I have fond memories of the Jersey Shore, pizza/bagels, easy access to NYC.

[MissS]

Welcome! I'm so glad that you found us here. It sounds like you will fit right in.

[Nan6b]

Welcome from Pennsylvania! I looked for Pony Express for years. It seems to have a very good disease resistance profile. Is it open pollinated or F1? And is there someplace that sells seeds?

[ponyexpress]

Welcome from Pennsylvania! I looked for Pony Express for years. It seems to have a very good disease resistance profile. Is it open pollinated or F1? And is there someplace that sells seeds?

F1 and they're expensive. I think I got mine from the consumer edition of Harris Seeds, Garden Trends. In fact, I think I will create a future thread about the cost of these seeds and if that's typical.

I was a member of Wilson Farm CSA (Lexington, MA) and they grew these tomatoes.

[pepperhead212]

Welcome to the forum, from S Jersey!

[mikestuff49]

Welcome to the forum!

[ponyexpress]

Welcome to the forum, from S Jersey!

I had to search for your town. Seems that it's just outside Philadelphia. So you're probably an Eagles/Phillies/Flyers fan. I was a Mets/Giants fan but have switched to Red Sox/Patriots.

[pepperhead212]

[mention]ponyexpress[/mention] Yes, I am a fan of the area teams, though, obviously, this year, nothing is happening.

After seeing who you are, all those things you have planted didn't surprise me, since I've seen so many of your photos on the other forum! You'll definitely be able to share a lot with those of us here.

[peebee]

Hey I was another one who grew seedlings under the office lights! I also used a coworker's truck hood as a heat mat. Brings back happy memories. But I'm retired now so I'm even happier
Welcome to this forum!

[ponyexpress]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Now using a co-worker's truck hood as a heat mat, wow, have not heard of that before.

I did the office planting again about 4-5 years ago for my tomato plants but this time, I used the south facing windows. They were still kind of spindly. I think it's because of the UV film on the windows. But they turned out ok once I hardened them outside.

One nice thing about the epidemic is that I'm working from home full time. This allows me to take care of seedlings & plants in the morning, and at lunch. Before I had to rely on my wife to help out.

[tomike]

Welcome. I'm from Canada.

[ponyexpress]

Does anyone know how frequently Mischka (tomatoville.com) is approving accounts these days? I still have an interest in getting my account "ponyexpress" approved so I can access pictures in some of those threads.

[Barmaley]

Does anyone know how frequently Mischka (tomatoville.com) is approving accounts these days? I still have an interest in getting my account "ponyexpress" approved so I can access pictures in some of those threads.

I double on that! If somebody knows how to reach Mishka, it will be great if he could let few members in .

[PlainJane]

Welcome! I’m in N. Florida now but gardened for many years in Massachusetts. Good soil up that way once you deal with the rocks!

[AKgardener]

Welcome from alaska I don’t post much yet still reading a lot:) just trying to keep everything alive