Tomatoes - greenhouse or lottie?

[Curlykale]

My dining room is being taken over by tomato plants (Gardeners Delight, Latoh, Roma VP and Moneymaker, several of which are 3' tall.

I haven't been brave enough to move them to the greenhouse yet, (apart from 2 of the Latoh as they weren't very happy where they were).

I have far too many to grow in the greenhouse so thought I would try and grow some outside on the allotment (in raised beds). Can anyone advise me on which varieties would be best to grow outside and which should be kept in the greenhouse?

Also, how should I harden them off before planting them out - should they go in the greenhouse first for a while then outside to harden off, or should I just start hardening them off outside? I feel very cruel making them live outside!

Any tips for successful outdoor growing?

[Two_Sheds]

how should I harden them off before planting them out - should they go in the greenhouse first for a while?

Yes: the key to hardening off is 'gradual'

I don't grow toms outside anymore because they always get blight: you might be more successful so far north, but then you've got the cold against you

[zazen999]

I am also never growing toms outside again - apart from two experimental this year which are being grown under a cloche on their sides with plenty of sawdust to keep the fruit clean. It's just a tester - but every year the trauma of disposing of all those tomato plants as blight strikes [overnight] just isn't worth it.

[rustylady]

They should be OK to go in the greenhouse now. If frost is forecast you will have to fleece or cover with newspaper. I've given up on growing outside now because of blight, but I did stick a couple of spares in the flower border last year and they did OK.

[Alison]

Not sure about the others but your Gardeners Delight should give you a decent crop outside so long as you don't get blight. Had loads of mine last year grown on the plot against the fence which survived well even when some over the other side got blighted. Mine are all out in the cold greenhouse most of the time now but the ourdoor ones will start to be moved outside over the next week or so.

[Mac]

Hey Culry-Kale, i've had some out in the greenhouse for a couple of weeks now as our dining table was also starting to groan! they're all fine so far, quite slow growing, but then we've had frost, snow and temps down to -4 in the time they've been out. Growing gardeners delight and tomina. Am still not going to put them outside but will have to think about it soon, as greenhouse chokka now too!

[Bren In Pots]

Culry-Kale any outside that don't ripen you can always make Green tomato chutney, I did that last year and made enough jars to last me for ages.