I am so pleased to be growing tomatoes from seed with all this advice - I can't possibly go wrong ....... I intend to put two of the plants (once hardened off) on our outside patio in a big pot against a south facing wall and possibly one or two either in the cold GH or straight into the soil in the veg. patch - and hopefully give a few plants to friends - but that is very forward thinking - I only planted the seeds yesterday!
I grew tomatoes for the first time last year (so am no expert) I sowed too many seeds, and had too many plants initially. I binned about twelve and kept six, 3 cherry and 3 standard. I planted one of each in a south facing border against a fence and the remaining 4 plants in a 4x6 plastic greenhouse. All did surprisingly well for me!
I found the greenhouse plants had less damage from pests but quickly reached the confines of the low roof. I grew these in buckets I acquired from my local supermarket for "free", just look out on the flower display stand and ask a friendly member of staff if you could have a couple. The young lady I asked said " they normally send them back" but as she was stacking about 20 of the empty ones was very generous and gave me half a dozen. Drill drainage holes in the bottom and hey presto, big FREE plantpots.
That's a great tip Kitty 2 - I must try chatting to our local garden centre or supermarket - although we do have a few big plastic pots lying around - our neighbour is a full time gardener so often gets empty pots from working on a job. I will probably put some pictures of the tomatoes on here as they progress - the seeds were free in GW & are cordons.
Daft question - I read somewhere that tomatoes are actually perennials... I assume we treat them as annuals because they're tender in our climate? Does anyone overwinter them or is it not worth the bother?
First time growing them this year, I have what seems like millions of 'minibel' seedlings awaiting planting on!
I've used those pots for bulbs Kitty - they're ideal although they don't last long because they're a bit flimsy. Excellent size for a little greenhouse for growing toms though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have never heard that before SparklesJD. My family were heavily involved in the commercial growing of tomatoes - they always started afresh with new plants or seeds each year, as did the other growers on the island. I too would be interested in any one who has practiced growing them over more than one year.
I think they're native to S. America aren't they, so used to warmer temperatures? They seem very easy to grow so far, so assuming it's not worth the space? Or wondered do they deteriorate the second year regardless?
In hot climbs they are indeed perennials. Two years ago I gave my son a Sweet Aperitif, I grew from seed, he has no outside space, it started off in his kitchen window, then got so tall he put it on the worktop near the window, He used an organic seaweed feed, didnt often water it (I nagged him!) The bottom leaves were pretty tatty, but the top leaves were green, and it carried on producing its little toms for over 2 years. He didnt even re-pot it.
That's a first on me Nanny Beach - just goes to show how we pamper our plants & how a bit of neglect often wins the day! Did he enjoy eating the tomatoes?
Oh yes, Guernsey Donkey2, he did, there is only him, so he was quite happy with a few at a time, and very smug, but Dove does say water and feed them less stress them and you get better tasting fruit.
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I am so pleased to be growing tomatoes from seed with all this advice - I can't possibly go wrong ....... I intend to put two of the plants (once hardened off) on our outside patio in a big pot against a south facing wall and possibly one or two either in the cold GH or straight into the soil in the veg. patch - and hopefully give a few plants to friends - but that is very forward thinking - I only planted the seeds yesterday!
I grew tomatoes for the first time last year (so am no expert) I sowed too many seeds, and had too many plants initially. I binned about twelve and kept six, 3 cherry and 3 standard. I planted one of each in a south facing border against a fence and the remaining 4 plants in a 4x6 plastic greenhouse. All did surprisingly well for me!
I found the greenhouse plants had less damage from pests but quickly reached the confines of the low roof. I grew these in buckets I acquired from my local supermarket for "free", just look out on the flower display stand and ask a friendly member of staff if you could have a couple. The young lady I asked said " they normally send them back" but as she was stacking about 20 of the empty ones was very generous and gave me half a dozen. Drill drainage holes in the bottom and hey presto, big FREE plantpots.
That's a great tip Kitty 2 - I must try chatting to our local garden centre or supermarket - although we do have a few big plastic pots lying around - our neighbour is a full time gardener so often gets empty pots from working on a job. I will probably put some pictures of the tomatoes on here as they progress - the seeds were free in GW & are cordons.
Daft question - I read somewhere that tomatoes are actually perennials... I assume we treat them as annuals because they're tender in our climate? Does anyone overwinter them or is it not worth the bother?
First time growing them this year, I have what seems like millions of 'minibel' seedlings awaiting planting on!
I've used those pots for bulbs Kitty - they're ideal although they don't last long because they're a bit flimsy. Excellent size for a little greenhouse for growing toms though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have never heard that before SparklesJD. My family were heavily involved in the commercial growing of tomatoes - they always started afresh with new plants or seeds each year, as did the other growers on the island. I too would be interested in any one who has practiced growing them over more than one year.
I think they're native to S. America aren't they, so used to warmer temperatures? They seem very easy to grow so far, so assuming it's not worth the space? Or wondered do they deteriorate the second year regardless?
In hot climbs they are indeed perennials. Two years ago I gave my son a Sweet Aperitif, I grew from seed, he has no outside space, it started off in his kitchen window, then got so tall he put it on the worktop near the window, He used an organic seaweed feed, didnt often water it (I nagged him!) The bottom leaves were pretty tatty, but the top leaves were green, and it carried on producing its little toms for over 2 years. He didnt even re-pot it.
That's a first on me Nanny Beach - just goes to show how we pamper our plants & how a bit of neglect often wins the day! Did he enjoy eating the tomatoes?
Oh yes, Guernsey Donkey2, he did, there is only him, so he was quite happy with a few at a time, and very smug, but Dove does say water and feed them less stress them and you get better tasting fruit.