Problems hardening off tomatoes

[greyhound]

I've been trying to harden off my tomatoes for ages.  It is so warm outside, but there is always a little breeze, and the plants wilt and keel over almost instantly.

I have a south-facing suntrap of a garden, but whatever little sheltered corner I try, the killer breeze seems to reach them.   >:(  No greenhouse or cold frame, and the mini house and summerhouse get way too hot.  Just don't know what to do - never had this problem before.

???

[greyhound]

[Lillypad]

Two years ago I had no option other than to put my tomatoes straight out without hardening off. It was bitterly cold and I swore all the fruit would be blue, but they survived and gave a bumper crop.
You say they're in a sun-trap. It may be a silly suggestion, but are you sure it's the breeze that's making them wilt or could they be thirsty?

Lillypad

[GrowingChillis]

What about making a little 'tri-pod' of sticks around the stem, then even if they  get blown around they should always stay upright. This is what I did with my outside beans.

[greyhound]

are you sure it's the breeze that's making them wilt or could they be thirsty?

No, the wilting is almost immediate, it's not a gradual thing over a couple of hours.  I've tried both shady and sunny spots with the same result.  They recover if I bring them in again quick, but a few have never really picked up properly.  (And they are all outdoor varieties, most of which I've grown before.)

I've just told the ungrateful little swine that if they don't stop being so fussy I will bin them.  >:(    And I have sown a few more, in case.

GC - they don't blow over, just go all limp and shrivelly.

[cleo]

Get a smallish box from the supermarket and put them in it-that should give them a bit of shelter from the breeze

[tim]

What do the plants look like? Photos??

[Jeannine]

You  got wusses Greyhound !! XX Jeannine

[greyhound]

They are indeed, Jeannine!  I have given them a good talking to. 

I am going to try cleo's suggestion, the recycling baskets have just been emptied so I will pop some in those as they're quite high sided.

Tim, they just suddenly go all floppy and look like plants do when they badly need water.  Tisn't that though.

[telboy]

Greyhound,
'tis only 1st May innit?
Are you watering in the day when the sun is hot?
Some of my winter stuff is cringing, so dry - then you water - and the shock gets to them.
It would to you, wouldn't it?

[greyhound]

I haven't watered them while they have been outside at all, only when they're indoors.   Not sure what you're getting at.  Most people I know are hardening off plants now.

[ellkebe]

Greyhound - I used Sainsburys boxes last year when I was moving toms out of the coldhouse but they were feeling the wind.  Worked a treat - and in the dry weather, I was able to give them a drink from the bottom up.  Worth giving it a go.

[PAULW]

Why dont you put them out in the evening when it is cooler rather than the full heat of the day, if you are worried about frost you could make a fleece tent to go over them.

[tim]

What I meant, Greyhound, was are they your usual good stocky plants or are they a bit wimpy?

[growmore]

How mant pairs of leaves do they have ?..How tall are they ?..
Seems odd they are just keeling over ..Cheers Jim

[greyhound]

Right, they've been out all day inside the recycling baskets.  It's been hot but pretty windy as well and most of them seem to have come through OK.  I also put out half a dozen for the first time, standing them inside some deep planters, and they haven't flinched.  I'm sure it's the wind that was causing the problems.

They are a mixed bunch, some taller than others.  There are a few that were never as robust from the start, and I think the repeated trauma has pretty well seen them off.  I've sown a few extras, bit late but nothing to lose.

Thanks to cleo and ellkebe for the box idea - hopefully that's solved the problem.