Topic: Tomato encyclopaedia

[zaz283]

Just about to start planting my tomato seeds for the new season. Referred to my tomato encyclopaedia to read not only how to grow but also why to grow, origins, health benefits, varieties, problems... oh, and of course delicious recipes!

If you want more information on tomatoes than just the straightforward basic stuff have a read by clicking the link below.

Hope you find it interesting. Thanks, John

http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.com/2010/01/tomato-solanum-lycopersicum.html

[Debs]

Hi JohnMac,

Very interesting read  :)

[Larkshall]

I've given up raising from seed, it's not worth the heat necessary to raise them. I wait until the plants appear in the garden centres, then buy two of the best (I like Shirley's). I then grow them on taking the sideshoots off and planting them in their own pots to root. They are usually within a fortnight of the original plants in cropping. From two plants I can get 14 cuttings + the original two =16 plants, for £2.

[saddad]

Good site... if that suits you Larkshall that's fine... but some of us are just tomato addicts and prefer a wider choice of weird varieties..  :)

[valmarg]

... if that suits you Larkshall that's fine... but some of us are just tomato addicts and prefer a wider choice of weird varieties..  :)

I couldn't agree more saddad.  There are just sooo many varieties out there these days.  I find it extremely difficult to show restraint when ordering seed. ;D

valmarg

[Debs]

i am always amazed that such a small seed produces a bountiful plant - don't think I will ever buy plugplants.

Personally speaking, nothing can beat the reward of producing a plant from seed

Debs :)

[valmarg]

I agree Debs.

OH has sown the first seeds for this year.  The beefsteak varieties.

There is nothing nicer than going into the greenhouse and picking a homegrown, sunripened tomato.

Roll on

[lottie lou]

Wish I could show restraint in sowing.  Only want a couple of plants of each variety but end up sowing at least 6 or seven seeds of each.  End up struggling to give them away.

[saddad]

Your local infants school/nuresry will take them off your hands...  :)

[valmarg]

Spring is not far off sprunging.  It's been such a long lousy winter, and we want to be up and growing asap. ;D

valmarg

[marcitos]

Hi

I like growing lots of unusual fruit & veg. Any examples of unusual toms to look out for?

Last year grew the following:
Wapsipinicon (the peach tom), Wild Pear, Gallapagos, Reisetomate ..... among others

This year trying:
Wild Tomato, Wild Peruvian & Orange Fleshed Purple Smudge.

Marcitos

[saddad]

Green sausage?  :)

[antipodes]

Debs that is so true. I now rarely buy any plug plants, I find beans a delight too - the way they push up through the soil and from one little bean you get such a huge plant. then let a few pods dry and you will have 10 plants the next year and so on.

I find tomatoes so easy to grow, I give them no heat so I don't really understand Larkshall's comment - I start them off on the windowsill, then slowly plant in bigger and bigger pots and outside beginning of may. No special treatment at all.