Hurrah! I think it's worth doing as @fidgetbones suggests re buying a couple of plants. I used to get them for buttons in B&Q at this time of year, when I wasn't set up for doing my own, so you might get a good bargain. Even if your little seeds do come away well and you get a crop, it should still be cheaper than buying toms, especially if you use a lot, although it also depends on what space you have etc. Easier if they can go outside.
PS - the new seeds you've bought will still be fine next year and the year after....they keep for ages.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes, I will have to get some from my local garden centre (Homebase) - I did have a peek the other day but need to look into the varieties. I was looking at ‘gardeners delight’ which I think I have tried before but they looked a little peaky!
Good plan, buy a couple of plants of whatever's available that takes your fancy. Your baby one (and any more that pop up now) should still fruit but probably quite late.
Keep your new seeds (somewhere cool and dry) and they'll be fine for future years. A packet of tomato seeds usually does me 4 or 5 years depending on how many are in it - they stay viable for ages even with open packets as long as you keep them dry (an air-tight plastic kitchen container is good).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Yes - I keep my tom seeds in the packets they come in, and then in a box in the hall cupboard with others, or in the 'proper' seed tin in the kitchen. It can get hot in there in summer, but it doesn't seem to affect them. Gardeners Delight seems to have been very hit and miss in recent years form what many forum members have said @GardenNewbie1, so it may be worth trying something else if there's an alternative.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I can’t grow that many tomato plants outside; we have a north facing garden which has a few brighter spots where there are no trees on the west side of it so would only need a few plants anyway. I had read it was possible to store seeds but I guess everyone does it as standard!
Thank you again 💐 now waiting on the courgettes to germinate 😣
It's all a learning curve @GardenNewbie1 . I've often said how I wish this forum existed when I started gardening. Would have saved me a lot of problems - and money!
North facing can be awkward, but if you have a reasonably sunny area, which isn't too exposed to rough weather, that should be ok. They'll need to be well supported if the wind comes from that side, as it does here. My front garden is NW facing, but gets sun right down at the end/gate, and isn't really overlooked from the west side, so- in theory that would be fine, but - that's the direction of all the prevailing weather....
Mine are grown under cover [back garden is sunny] but I've tried a couple outdoors in a sheltered spot the last couple of years when we've had a lot of drier, sunnier weather, and they were ok. Can't guarantee that though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl this forum has been absolutely amazing for me. I inherited a garden which was relatively mature and I would definitely have struggled so much without it 🥹
That’s interesting, I think I will try that! I do have a relatively ‘light’ spot near my garden door. Unfortunately most of the garden has low light levels in areas as there are yew trees and buildings from next door. I have thought about using the borders on the opposite side but they have other things growing - and I have seen a few more slugs that way 👀
Thanks again! 😊 I’m actually looking forward to trying things out now 😊
Not sure where you are @GardenNewbie1 [apologies if you've said] but if your weather is a bit iffy at this time of year and/or through summer, even those plastic greenhouses offer enough protection from heavy rain/wind, as long as they're well tethered. No use for winter, as they only keep rain/snow/sleet off, but handy for the growing season.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
At least I have one!
I think it's worth doing as @fidgetbones suggests re buying a couple of plants. I used to get them for buttons in B&Q at this time of year, when I wasn't set up for doing my own, so you might get a good bargain. Even if your little seeds do come away well and you get a crop, it should still be cheaper than buying toms, especially if you use a lot, although it also depends on what space you have etc. Easier if they can go outside.
PS - the new seeds you've bought will still be fine next year and the year after....they keep for ages.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes, I will have to get some from my local garden centre (Homebase) - I did have a peek the other day but need to look into the varieties. I was looking at ‘gardeners delight’ which I think I have tried before but they looked a little peaky!
Gardeners Delight seems to have been very hit and miss in recent years form what many forum members have said @GardenNewbie1, so it may be worth trying something else if there's an alternative.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I can’t grow that many tomato plants outside; we have a north facing garden which has a few brighter spots where there are no trees on the west side of it so would only need a few plants anyway. I had read it was possible to store seeds but I guess everyone does it as standard!
Thank you again 💐 now waiting on the courgettes to germinate 😣
North facing can be awkward, but if you have a reasonably sunny area, which isn't too exposed to rough weather, that should be ok. They'll need to be well supported if the wind comes from that side, as it does here. My front garden is NW facing, but gets sun right down at the end/gate, and isn't really overlooked from the west side, so- in theory that would be fine, but - that's the direction of all the prevailing weather....
Mine are grown under cover [back garden is sunny] but I've tried a couple outdoors in a sheltered spot the last couple of years when we've had a lot of drier, sunnier weather, and they were ok. Can't guarantee that though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That’s interesting, I think I will try that! I do have a relatively ‘light’ spot near my garden door. Unfortunately most of the garden has low light levels in areas as there are yew trees and buildings from next door. I have thought about using the borders on the opposite side but they have other things growing - and I have seen a few more slugs that way 👀
Thanks again! 😊 I’m actually looking forward to trying things out now 😊
No use for winter, as they only keep rain/snow/sleet off, but handy for the growing season.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...