I know it's tempting to start sowing seeds because everyone is desperate for winter to be over and spring to arrive, especially as temps were higher in March in many places, but unless you have a greenhouse to shift them into, it's simply not worth it. Fluctuating temperatures are always a big issue with tomatoes, and until they're steady enough, and warm enough overnight, you have to keep them protected. It's why we don't generally try and grow them outdoors up here - too cool at ntight.
We've all done it - in some form or another - longing for winter to be gone and to watch our seedlings crack on and produce flowers and fruit...but it's these drawbacks which we learn from - hopefully!
Gardeners are eternal optimists - 'there's always next year' is our motto
Hi Sam, Wilko's have some excellent tomato plants about 6" high from the base of the stem for 89p. I bought a couple last week and planted them in a growbag. They are thriving and look very healthy. My partner bought some costing much more from B&Q that cost a lot more and they are really struggling.
Progress report: my tomato plants have survived the shock of the cold winds. Some of the lower leaves are faded and discoloured, but they are putting on new growth and enjoying the warmer weather now.
Good to hear. Remember to pinch them out, nobody told me that until my plants had turned into bushes!! Had to cut so much off to get back to one stem!!
So what Michaelw1 mentions there is a good point. I didn't get that advice either when I first grew tomatoes.
When you get a few sets of leaves, look at the joint between the leaves and the stems and you'll see a little growth that looks quite good but it isn't it's bad. You can scrape this off with your nail and this will become a habit, removing these little growths between the leaves and main stem.
Actually that wasn't the best link, that's about nipping out the top of the main stem. I learned as I went - you'll see that the fruits come off a stem at regular intervals, the side growth control that I mentioned is so that they all come off the main stem not branches.
As you get into the season and you have enough fruiting branches, you can then nip out the top to let it concentrate on growing its fruit.
Also, you can cut off leaves at the back end of the year to get sun to the fruit.
You'll see. Use your initiative. Tomatoes are great.
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So true we just want summer to be here... beginner gardeners eh ??♀️
It'll all be fine Sam...you'll be chomping on those toms before you know it...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Progress report: my tomato plants have survived the shock of the cold winds. Some of the lower leaves are faded and discoloured, but they are putting on new growth and enjoying the warmer weather now.
Good to hear. Remember to pinch them out, nobody told me that until my plants had turned into bushes!! Had to cut so much off to get back to one stem!!
So what Michaelw1 mentions there is a good point. I didn't get that advice either when I first grew tomatoes.
When you get a few sets of leaves, look at the joint between the leaves and the stems and you'll see a little growth that looks quite good but it isn't it's bad. You can scrape this off with your nail and this will become a habit, removing these little growths between the leaves and main stem.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/5579726/How-to-grow-tomatoes.html
The idea is that the energy goes into fruits further up the main stem.
Actually that wasn't the best link, that's about nipping out the top of the main stem. I learned as I went - you'll see that the fruits come off a stem at regular intervals, the side growth control that I mentioned is so that they all come off the main stem not branches.
As you get into the season and you have enough fruiting branches, you can then nip out the top to let it concentrate on growing its fruit.
Also, you can cut off leaves at the back end of the year to get sun to the fruit.
You'll see. Use your initiative. Tomatoes are great.