snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com writes:
I've always had excellent luck with the volunteers. They are definitely hardy. However, I grow almost exclusively heirloom tomatoes, so they are all super.
I used to very carefully plant everything, concerned I might destroy the plants. Two years ago, I had so many volunteers that I gave away literally dozens and dozens of "mystery tomatoes" to folks I knew. When I could not longer find homes for them, I finally had to pull them up (I had at least 4 dozen plants growing already). I just didn't have the heart to throw them on the compost pile so put them in a bucket, added water and later planted them in the 135-ft long strip between my fence and sidewalk, outside the yard. I then gave a plant to each of the neighbor children (some two). The children chose their own plant(s) and cared for them. I did add water since the little ones would bring only a cup or two which, of course, was not enough. I also prepared tags for each tomato and identified who the owner was or if they were "public" tomatoes for anyone to pick. Even though the plants were not handled with care, remember they were pulled like a weed and dumped in a bucket, every one grew and flourished. The children had all types of tomatoes and were amazed at what they had . . . remember these were heirlooms so there was a good variety. It was a cool thing! I suspect that, all in all, there were hundreds that I gave away or planted out there. Many who received them saved seeds and grew more of what they got, and all were thrilled. Everyone got something they had not seen before! I took volunteers from several parts of the garden so everyone got at least three varieties.
They are great! If you like surprises, it's the only way to go. I've never eaten a bad tomato. :-)
Transplant now or later . . . just plant them deeper when you replant so they can establish a good solid root system for a healthier plant. They will start out smaller, of course, than the ones you buy, but by the end of July, you won't be able to tell which is which.
It was sad last spring when I had no volunteers, no mystery tomatoes. I had let the chickens run free and they not only cleaned out all the slugs but all the seeds in the garden as well, so no volunteers. I should have left the cages up until the chickens were penned for the garden season. Oh, well. The good thing is that garden was well cultivated.
Enjoy your volunteers . . . surprises are great!
Glenna