Today we tackle a question from a listener who asks, why were my tomato seedlings last spring so skinny? Debbie Flower and I run through all the possibilities, and it turned out to be a very good tomato seed planting primer, something to keep in mind when you’re starting tomato seeds indoors next January, February or March.The Plant of the Week is a colorful, warm season annual that will be widely used in celebrations next week. No, it’s not the Halloween pumpkin. It’s a plant with even more cultural significance, a couple of days after Halloween. The marigold. You’ll have to listen to find out why.  It’s on episode 149 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by SmartPots and Dave Wilson Nursery. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!And this programming note: During November through January, Garden Basics will become a once a week podcast, released on Fridays. We will return to two a week in February, 2022.Pictured:Giant Belgium tomato seedlings.Links:Smart PotsDave Wilson NurseryUC Davis ArboretumThe Garden Basics with Farmer Fred NewsletterTomato and pepper seed starting tipsSeed starting mixIndoor seed starting kit  with light stand fixturesMore indoor light fixtures for good seedling growthMore episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer FredGarden Basics comes out every Tuesday and Friday. Live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the Buzzsprout home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred. Got a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • E-mail: fred@farmerfred.com All About Farmer Fred:The  Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.comDaily Garden tips and snark on TwitterThe Farmer Fred Rant! BlogFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"Instagram: farmerfredhoffmanFarmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTubeAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.And thank you for listening.The Proffitt PodcastThe podcast that shows you tips & strategies to create content with confidence!Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify