Next year I'd love to grow some tomatoes from seed. This year, I bought two plants from a garden centre and now they're over 2 feet tall and thriving, with lots of flowering trusses. However, buying from garden centres means the varieties are a bit limited, and I'd love to try some other types that are not commonly sold.
When do I start sowing the seeds if I want a plant that's about 6-8" tall by mid-April? I have no idea how fast these things grow, I've never grown toms from seed before! :-[
vw
If you have a warm Green House End of March Or April Should Be Fine But If Un heated Leave Till Mid April !!
:)
Plus It depens Where you live ;D
Live in warm central London - but I always sow my seeds indoors. The only trouble is that there is no direct sunlight on my windowsill, just a lot of warmth (from the radiator!). I'd like to have a decent sized plant by mid-April. I guess the garden centres sow them in the winter, to get plants that size by mid-spring?
vw
You could Buy a Heater Propergator
But again if not enough Light they will be thin :(
Whew!!! I have just got mine planted and here's you thinking of next year ;)
This link might help http://tinyurl.com/38j2pn
:o tee Gee
Come on Now how Come your so late ??
Mines up with flowers on Now all planted out in Greenhouse Beds !!
Having sown,grown and sold many hundred this year can I have a rest?
Sorry-being flippant. Joking aside it all depends on what your growing situation is-but you have many months to argue the toss as to best variety(handy hint-Moneymaker is not one of them) ;D
I sow very early but in a heated greenhouse with lights. So don't rush , loads of time.
Spend the next few months reading about different types and then you won't be rushed at the last minute.
Send for loads of seed catalogues, you can still get this years and if you do they will automatically send next years to you.
Go online and have a peep at the tomato sites.I buy most of my seed from the US which is not difficult, you may find what you want closer to home but the US sites are a good read and you will find hundreds of different types.
There are a great many but this is a start.
UK
Thompson and Morgan.Mr Fotheringill,Suttons.Dobies,Browns,Marshalls,Realseeds,
US.
Tomatogrowers, Cedar Creek,Whatcom county,Johnny's, Territorial,Tomatofest
Also check out Franchi seeds from Seeds of Italy in the UK.
You will find so much to look at and think about ,spring will come quickly, and you will be able to ask all the questions you need about the types you fancy here.
Good Luck, welcome to the wonderful world of Tomatoes.
XX Jeannine
Thompson and Morgan-humm we will discuss this later-right now I`m rocking around my study listening to a band called Lone Star. I never said I only grow tomatoes ;D
Hey Cleo, I was right off T&M after the early problems but I did go back for the 50% off sale, I actually bought two large orders.1st one no problem, 2nd one was another disaster but I ended up with a very nice lady called Clare sorting it out and have to admit she really went the extra mile. I got a message that there was something coming in the mail as an apology, so we will see what it is.
Hows your Okra, mine has put on a spurt!!
XX Jeannine
See you on Saturday
PS, Just looked in the airing cupboard and the second lot have gerinated.
QuoteCome on Now how Come your so late ??
I think Shiraltons article on 'Frost damage' is the answer.
The last day in May and the first day in June hold lots of bad memories for me over the years!
Its what commonly known as 'learning a lesson' as luck has it I have avoided any damage on Tuesday night, so far as I can see.
Haven't been on the plot today but I don't think there was any frost up here last night. Been too busy planting out bedding plants, must have got in around 600 today.
Not expecting so a busy day tomorrow about another 3-400 I guess!!
Does that answer your question?
:o Yep Thanks For the Reply ,,Keep Trying
:D
If I wasn't Gardening I'd be shopping!! thank God for Gardening!!
Cleo, funny you should say that about the Moneymaker, I have a Moneymaker growing and it's doing so well!!! At least 3 flower trusses already and thick stems. Puts my Sungold utterly to shame.
Would love to try more varieties, so thanks for the recommendations. I have a packet of Gardener's Delight left over to sow for next year. Should I start in early March, plenty of warmth but only diffuse light? Hmm, if I only get spindly plants by mid-April, I think I'll resort to the garden centre varieties again. ;)
vw
we like tigerella, red with yellow 'tiger ' stripes, golden sunrise, supersteak, lovely, meaty big toms, perfect for pizzas, supersweet, little cherries and garden pearl, tiny ones, lovely :) :P
I think I'll resort to the garden centre varieties again.
Not if you stick around here you won`t ;D. Many of us are more than willing to send seeds of varieties we like-your problem will be deciding how many you can grow.
I should explain the Moneymaker thing,many years ago as a poor PhD student I sold my soul-the deal was that in return for eventually marrying well I should grow Moneymaker once. It was so cruel,they grew they had no problems,the crop was very good-and then the fateful day I had to eat one. I not only grow tomatoes I make up all sorts of rubbish ;)