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Advice re tomatoes in containers, in peat free compost in GH

c_watkinsc_watkins Posts: 53
in Fruit & veg
Hello Peat Free Tomato Growers, 

I've just planted Sungold and San Marzano in 25l containers in New Horizon PF compost and Levingtons peat free manure, perlite and vermiculite (for good measure!). Quite a bit of water is going straight through into the container tray and they have the 'peat free' crust on top.

The plants are healthy at the moment, but as they grow, I'm a bit concerned about me over and under watering as I've not used peat free for toms before. Any experience and recommendations for checking when to water, feeding, what to watch out for and brands for next year most welcome! Many thanks!

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    There's a theory that says if you treat them mean (slightly underwater) you get better-tasting fruit. Not sure whether it's true though. As long as the tray doesn't stay full of water for long, they'll not get waterlogged. If they start to wilt they probably need a bit more water,

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Depends where you are growing them I think.  Wilting on a hot day doesn't necessarily mean they need watering - they will often pick up again once the sun is off them.  
    IME, overwatering does indeed affect the flavour and consistency of the fruit. 
    With regard to flavour tho, many producers are now after "sweet" - that seems to be the key attribute and they tend to ignore the need for a bit of "tang" which makes a tomato actually taste like a tomato.
    I have no experience of the compost you mention but not sure I would waste either Perlite or Vermiculite on what is, basically, an annual plant.
  • hatty123hatty123 Posts: 125
    Hi I'm growing tomatoes in a greenhouse for the first time, also using NH compost in big pots. So not sure if my advice is worth much as it's new to me too! But raising all my plants this year i've generally found that the compost holds onto water at the bottom of pots even when it's really dry on top. So for watering the toms I'm checking the compost a couple of inches down and if it's damp then not watering. Fingers crossed this'll work, looking good so far 🤞
  • c_watkinsc_watkins Posts: 53
    Thank you for your comments everyone, lots to take on board and good suggestions. I agree @hatty123, the compost does seem to hold water at the bottom - I'll leave off watering if I find it damp under the 'crust'.  Thanks!
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