sown seeds too early again!

[jubilado]

I've sown tomato seeds (moneymaker) and sweet peas. The germinated in heated propagator after which I took them out and they have been in plenty of daylight in a warm room. They have both come on lovely and are very strong (after my first attempt when they went spindly and weak). So they are now ready to be moved - I think. The tomatoes are about 6" high and I can see fruit appearing. The sweet peas are 6 - 9" high. All are in individual 4" pots. I plan to grow the toms in pots or growbags in greenhouse, and obviously the sweet peas outside. My problem is when and where to move them. My options are an unheated and drafty greenhouse or a cooler and darker room in the house. I'm obviously concerned about late frosts. This is my first attempt and I'm dead proud of them, but don't want to lose them after all that TLC they have had.

[Thelma Sanders]

Start doing what I do with toms - in the morning take them out to the greenhouse and then back indoors for the night. Keep doing that until they can safely stay out there permanently.
For the sweet peas, now is the time to pinch out the tips, and they can go out into the greenhouse as they are hardy plants. After a few days start putting them out in the garden during the day, and after a week or so of doing that - just leave them outside

[Bacchus]

Yes - the annual trekking in and out with trays of seedlings ritual has begun now. I seem to have 5 large trays worth - so five trips each morning and evening. Thankfully the tunnel is only about 40 feet away - still it's a pain.

[Alison]

The tomatoes are about 6" high and I can see fruit appearing.

Blimey, that's very early for toms to be flowering let alone setting fruit! When did you sow? They are also very small to be flowering which could be a sign of stress although the pot size sounds fine for the height. What variety are they? Re the sweet peas, they're hardy so will be better in the greenhouse (mine have been there for a few weeks) although do it gently so they're not to shocked by the sudden change in conditions. They also benefit from the growing tips being pinched out after they've formed a couple of sets of leaves as it makes bushier plants.

Oh and well done on your plants .

[Scarlet]

If your toms are only 6inches high they won't be big enough to carry fruit? They may be a bit stressed. Have you got any photos?
I do the same as Thelma, out to the greenhouse during the day and then back in at night. On warmer evenings (check the weather forecast) if temps are 10 and over you can safely leave them in the greenhouse overnight, though that probably won't be until May and then there may be the odd night you have to bring indoors due to a cold snap.

[jubilado]

I'll post a pic tomorrow when its light. Hopefully you can see what I mean by fruit! My greenhouse is 2 miles away on the allotment so not easy to transport back and forth twice a day. I wasn't aware the sweet peas needed pinching out. I thought that prevented them climbing. So much to learn !!

[WendyC]

Pinching out sweet peas encourages strong shoots from the base rather than just one stem. Whereabouts in the UK are you. This will have a bearing on frost dates.

[jubilado]

Portsmouth, south coast

[jubilado]

Ok, here is 2 pics of the tomato plant. I've pricked out the sweet peas and will take them to the greenhouse later today. Actually I had already put a couple in the shed and they seemed to be getting on ok. Comments on the toms would b appreciated

[Alison]

I'm struggling to see anything that looks like fruits on the toms, can you do a close up of what you're looking at please. They basically look in good shape although possibly a little pale (can be difficult to tell on a photo), how long have they been in those pots? If it's a while and they're not pot bound then they might benefit from a weak feed.

[WendyC]

No can't see flowers or fruit either.

[jubilado]

I think my "fruit" was just the next leaves forming. (well I am new at this). They are looking a bit pale so I'll try some feed. Are we saying that they are OK where they are for the time being? . Really appreciate your input.

[Alison]

I think my "fruit" was just the next leaves forming. (well I am new at this). They are looking a bit pale so I'll try some feed. Are we saying that they are OK where they are for the time being? . Really appreciate your input.

No worries, you're doing well. The don't look leggy so must be getting enough light so I'd keep the where they are for now. Mine are much smaller and currently on the utility room window ledge so quite warm and light. I find they can fry if I put them in the conservatory but the peppers and chillies love it.