Not sure how my smiley face turned into something of a grump at the notion of having a greenhouse - I am definitely smiley now the greenhouse is a functioning structure rather than a pile of frame pieces and glass sheets!
My sister bought me a series of books on self-sufficiency which includes one on preserving so I have a few ideas straying beyond the chutney. There is a section on bottling but it didn't mention tomatoes and I wouldn't have thought about that so that's a useful tip
No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.
Yes - you're supposed to peel them and shove 'em in a jar of salt water, but I just chopped and cooked them and then put them in jars like jam. Boil in the microwave, lids on immediately and they keep for ever.
Glad to hear you now have a greenhouse. It'll never be big enough!
Best book on self-sufficiency IMO is John Seymour's.
Once again we're really sorry that some of you are not getting the germination results we normally anticipate. We’re presently in conversation with Thompson and Morgan regarding this. There are few of you on this thread who have mentioned you’ve had poor results – could you please drop T&M an email at [email protected] with details of the environment you grew your seeds in and the compost used, as well as your full name and postal address.
We would like to apologise for the poor germination you have experienced with the Tomato Super Sweet seeds supplied on the cover of Gardeners’ World Magazine.
Several readers contacted us with the same issue, leading us to carry out testing on the variety. Our seed stock was originally germination tested at the start of 2016, showing a 95% success rate.
Following your concerns, a sample of bulk seed and Gardener’s World packets were re-tested under laboratory conditions to Ministry/Defra specifications. Again the result was 95%. However, we also tested the seed under “home conditions” in a pot of compost within a poly bag without heat (ie similar to windowsill growing). Oddly, germination across these pots varied between 50 and 66%. Well below our standards. This has stumped us somewhat, as the results should have been the same as the laboratory test conditions.
Our vegetable expert, who has over 40 years experience in the industry, informs us that he has seen this happen only on a few rare occasions, but we are unable to identify the exact reasons behind this. Rest assured we are investigating the matter further, calling on industry specialists for their thoughts on the matter.
In the meantime we would like to make up for the poor start with your tomato crops, by supplying you with one packet each of Sweet Aperitif, Sungold and Santonio - all customer favourites and guaranteed garden performers.
There is still time to sow and grow these seeds for a late summer crop of sweet cherry tomatoes. We are sure that the results will more than make up for your disappointment with the original Super Sweet seeds.
Thank you Natalie - it's interesting that you too have had poor germination with these. GE sent me a second pack of seeds and the germination with the second ones, in exactly the same conditions in a heated windowsill propagator, is markedly improved.
More seeds would be welcome, although I will probably grow them next year ad I have already bought and sown more seeds to replace the first failed batch of Supersweet.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
Not sure how my smiley face turned into something of a grump at the notion of having a greenhouse - I am definitely smiley now the greenhouse is a functioning structure rather than a pile of frame pieces and glass sheets!
My sister bought me a series of books on self-sufficiency which includes one on preserving so I have a few ideas straying beyond the chutney. There is a section on bottling but it didn't mention tomatoes and I wouldn't have thought about that so that's a useful tip
Yes - you're supposed to peel them and shove 'em in a jar of salt water, but I just chopped and cooked them and then put them in jars like jam. Boil in the microwave, lids on immediately and they keep for ever.
Glad to hear you now have a greenhouse. It'll never be big enough!
Best book on self-sufficiency IMO is John Seymour's.
Hello everyone,
Once again we're really sorry that some of you are not getting the germination results we normally anticipate. We’re presently in conversation with Thompson and Morgan regarding this. There are few of you on this thread who have mentioned you’ve had poor results – could you please drop T&M an email at [email protected] with details of the environment you grew your seeds in and the compost used, as well as your full name and postal address.
Had a response from T & M re tomato seeds:
Thank you for your email.
We would like to apologise for the poor germination you have experienced with the Tomato Super Sweet seeds supplied on the cover of Gardeners’ World Magazine.
Several readers contacted us with the same issue, leading us to carry out testing on the variety. Our seed stock was originally germination tested at the start of 2016, showing a 95% success rate.
Following your concerns, a sample of bulk seed and Gardener’s World packets were re-tested under laboratory conditions to Ministry/Defra specifications. Again the result was 95%. However, we also tested the seed under “home conditions” in a pot of compost within a poly bag without heat (ie similar to windowsill growing). Oddly, germination across these pots varied between 50 and 66%. Well below our standards. This has stumped us somewhat, as the results should have been the same as the laboratory test conditions.
Our vegetable expert, who has over 40 years experience in the industry, informs us that he has seen this happen only on a few rare occasions, but we are unable to identify the exact reasons behind this. Rest assured we are investigating the matter further, calling on industry specialists for their thoughts on the matter.
In the meantime we would like to make up for the poor start with your tomato crops, by supplying you with one packet each of Sweet Aperitif, Sungold and Santonio - all customer favourites and guaranteed garden performers.
There is still time to sow and grow these seeds for a late summer crop of sweet cherry tomatoes. We are sure that the results will more than make up for your disappointment with the original Super Sweet seeds.
With best regards,
Natalie Hyde
Customer Service Team
More seeds would be welcome, although I will probably grow them next year ad I have already bought and sown more seeds to replace the first failed batch of Supersweet.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.