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Sowing tomatoes cold greenhouse
clk
Posts: 95
in Fruit & veg
Please could someone tell me when I can sow tomato seeds (and cucumbers, etc) in my unheated greenhouse. I live in York where it's been warmer in the daytime but the weather forecast continues to predict as low as 1 degree centigrade at night. One year I was successful doing it in February. Last year I kept them in the house on a windowsill but it was messy. What to do...
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I can't imagine they'd be that happy in a cold greenhouse. I'd sow indoors and keep them in for a few weeks.
By the time they get " messy" it might well be mild enough to move them into the greenhouse.
Thank you Hostafan1. Thought someone might say that.
My tomatoes have been fine either sown and left in the unheated greenhouse or taken back and fore from house to greenhouse, though the ones sown in the greenhouse have fruited earlier. When left in the greenhouse they have been under a lid and hardened off in the greenhouse. Once they get heat and light they'll emerge and take care of themselves. I'm further north than you and the forecast is 0 degrees Celcius tonight.
Tomatoes are incredibly tough once they get going. The key to germination is warmth, preferably from beneath. An ideal temp for germination is in the mid-20s. They will germinate at lower temps but will take longer. Once germinated, temp is (relatively) less important, with light the key. As much as possible, preferably natural sunlight.
Bubble wrap is an excellent idea. I use it. If you have the seedlings in some sort of crate or tray, wrap the whole thing securely in bubble wrap. The bubble wrap will retain any warmth generated during the day, you shouldn't need fleece overnight unless it gets seriously cold.
What do you mean 'messy'?
I got mine started in a propagator nice and early last year - then had them growing in the greenhouse and lost the lot in May when there was a nasty frost. Planted new seeds in May in the greenhouse, and to be honest probably just as quick to fruit as the original plants. My point being - try and be patient, f you haven't got a heated greenhouse it might be better to wait until the temp rises. Saying that - I've started mine off in the propagator again!
uh oh I took my off the ball. Kept my toms and Cucumber in a warm dark place a week ago
Frank, by messy I meant, starting seeds on the spare bedroom windowsill inevitably leads to bits of compost getting everywhere. And watering is awkward. This, despite keeping them on plastic meal trays. Also worry I'll drop them when I carry them in/out and up/down stairs.