Planting out tomatoes

[Harry998]

Hi all

The inevitable has happened and my tomatoes have out grown the propogator!
What time do you normally move them to the tunnel / greenhouse? I'm running out of choice but worried it's still going to be to cold for them in there.

Thanks in advance!

[veggiechicken]

Once seeds germinate they should be taken out of the propagator as its too warm and they'll grow leggy.

Do you have a sunny windowsill?

[nickdub]

The problem is seedling tomato plants need both heat and light - as VC say a sunny windowsill is possible, if its big enough. Last year I ended up taking mine into an unheated conservatory in the day for the light, and bringing them back in the house at night for the warmth. As a rough guide the plants do not grow much at all if the ait temp goes below 10 C, and of course any frost will kill them.

[Harry998]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The is held at 18 degrees and has fluorescent grow lights they just got to tall for it. I think I will put them up and move them to the polytunnel, the soil temps are a consistent 9-10 degrees so maybe just wrap them with a layer of fleece incase we get a real cold snap!

It's my own fault for getting over excited about getting the first seeds In!

[nickdub]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The is held at 18 degrees and has fluorescent grow lights they just got to tall for it. I think I will put them up and move them to the polytunnel, the soil temps are a consistent 9-10 degrees so maybe just wrap them with a layer of fleece incase we get a real cold snap!

It's my own fault for getting over excited about getting the first seeds In!

I always like to blame VC in these situations (even if it isn't actually her fault)

[veggiechicken]

I'm used to it, nick

[veggiechicken]

Harry, if they get too leggy, you can either plant them deeper than normal or cut the tops off and root them in water.

[MarkPelican]

I'd sow some more as well, there's plenty of time so if these fail you've got replacements.

[annie8]

Am resisting the temptation to sow too early this year. Didn't seem to help last year and it was a total faff managing all the pots until they could go into the greenhouse.

[SarrissUK]

I had my whole massive bay window full of plants last year, both in my bedroom and in the living room downstairs. It was a pain to be honest, and this year I'm not sowing any tomatoes until March

[annie8]

Am with you. I was the same last year and didn't feel like it was worth it.

[Harry998]

Going to move them out tomorrow and see what happens theres plenty of time to grow more if it goes wrong!
I have had a big pile of boards and insulation to clad the north wall of the tunnel for a while now so hopefully this will inspire me to get on with it

[Babru]

Am with you. I was the same last year and didn't feel like it was worth it.

Just sowed a few micro toms which I'll keep indoors as houseplants. I put them in the greenhouse last year and it was so chilly they did nothing for most of May. If I keep them indoors I'm hoping for a June crop....however small.

The cordons will wait till March for sowing.

[TrysHard]

Tomatoes always seem to catch up - I sow chilles early in Jan - leaving toms until early March and cucumbers about 2 weeks later.

I leave plants out from late march if temp meant to stay above 5C - fleece up as required.

One year I planted everything early and was carrying everything up and down the garden during March.

[Jungle Jane]

I’m never risking below ten degrees again,I had eight degrees stunted tomato plants last year in the blowaway,they didn’t grow at all from that day,I lost a lot of tomato plants but I did have about 100 plants,ended up with about 25. I always over protect a few plants,there’s always some that stay by the window like it’s a greenhouse,depending on the weather,when it’s fine they’re all out there enjoying the sunshine